WALE'S BOG AND FEN EXPLORATION

Another field visit to the Wale’s wetlands within the 3rd week of a commencing of course. I must say that was an excellent opportunity for me to understand further about the Wales’s fens and bogs in detail and make myself more prepare for future fieldwork.  Although, that trip was with bachelor’s students for their field survey but it was equally informative for me.

Firstly, we went to Cors Erddreiniog NationalNature Reserve in the morning, which is located between Bryn Teg and Capel Coch in eastern Anglesey, though we had a chance to visit this place earlier also during LIFE+ project conference but this time we were there to explore another region of the Nature Reserve.

Map Cors Erddreiniog NationalNature Reserve

Cors Erddreiniog National Nature Reserve

During this visit, we had an opportunity to perform field survey with junior’s, which included estimating soil PH that was neutral, soil conductivity, soil depth, biodiversity estimation and descriptive study of the biodiversity. This was amazing experience for us because we were utilizing our knowledge to teach juniors like an expert, I was enjoying that teaching part since it’s my passion to teach others.

Myself after estimating fen depth

Flora

Actively growing Migneint bog

Flora: Red Sphagnum and heather

Later, we went to visit another site Migneint (Gwynedd). This is an area of upland heathland, blanket mire and upland grass in the Snowdonia National Park, between the villages of Ysbyty Ifan and Ffestiniog. It is either the largest area of blanket bog in Wales, or the, after the Berwyn range, further to the east. This was indeed a very mesmerizing place for any wetland scientist. 

Though, it was very tough to walk on the bog, but we got an opportunity to walk over and experience the diversity of biodiversity. I can’t describe how tough was to walk on the bog but can say many students fell down into the bog unfortunately, I was also one of them. Though falling down was definitely an unfortunate thing but weather was fortunate for us at that day. Inspite of falling down we had field survey with bachelor’s students. While survey pH recorded was low, reasons behind low pH relies on two factors 1).The supply of minerals is only from precipitation 2). Sphagnum which create an environment that is acidic. Along with this, the organic content of the peat increases due to slow decomposition rate, which increases the absorption and cations exchange process. These changes lead to the domination of hydrogen ions and pH falls sharply.

While talking about Biodiversity, we didn’t had chance to see much except sphagnum,heather, cotton grass, mushroom, spiders and few frogs. That was bit disappointing but rest of the experience was excellent.

WALE'S WETLANDS MANAGEMENT AND FIELD VISIT: A focus on LIFE+ project

 It was a great opportunity for me to attend the LIFE+ project conference during the very onset of my studies at the University of Bangor. The 3 days conference was started on October 9.  Indeed it was a thrilling experience for me to attend a conference on  the Wale’s wetlands, which I have never seen and experienced before. Hence, my keen interest to learn many new aspects regarding wetlands in Wales raised the excitement about that conference to me.  

The First day (9^th of October, 2013)

The first day of the conference was started with the registration procedure and Justin Hanson’s LIFE+ project introduction speech followed by the first talk from Peter Jones.  Jones gave very lucid introduction about fens of the Wales and he also highlighted on the aim of their project and how they managed to achieve their targets. Then comes the most spell bounding part of that day for me. That was a project history presentation given by John Ractcliffe. In reality, I never used to pay much attention toward history talks earlier but for the first time I was enjoying that talk and that was surprising for me.

Second part of the presentation was about practical managements including biomass cropping and grazing management adopted by the LIFE+ project members to make the project successful. It was a huge chance for me to learn new ideas about the Wales practical management practices.  

After lunch we went to visit the  Cors Goch National Nature Reserve, which is managed by the North Wales Wildlife Trust. Cors Goch is known as one of the nationally important series of calcareous fens on Anglesey. It is also the best example of an undisturbed fen of the Wales.  For me it was impressing to see how efficiently North Wales Wildlife Trust has restored that area despite having several encroachments in the past. Their efforts to conserve the nature reserve are very commendable. As a result of successful restoration of this reserve, it is now rich in biodiversity including common reed, great fen sedge, blunt flowered rush,black bog rush, orchids, insectivorous plants, stone warts, dragonflies, leeches etc.   

Ecors Goch National Nature Reserve

Myself

Floral diversity within the Reserve including Juncus and Myrica gale

Inspite of terrible weather 2 hours visit of the reserve was very fruitful for me and created waves of excitements and eager to learn more about temperate wetlands.

The second day

The Second day was as exciting as the first day of the conference. On this day we had a chance to explore more conservation areas. The day was started with few presentations focusing various aspects of wetlands management. Then we went to visit Cors Erddreiniog National Nature Reserve in the morning and Cors Bodeilio National Nature Reserve in the afternoon. 

For me it was the most exciting to visit Nant Isaf Farm and at the same time experiencing the constructed wetland in the Cors Erddreiniog. I got to know that the Cors Erddreiniog is a large fen rich site on Anglesey. It is also considered as a special area of conservation - site of special scientific interest and National Nature Reserve. Both the LIFE+ project and Natural Resource Wales have undertaken a mega scale restoration program in this reserve for the restoration of alkaline fen communities. 

Cors Erddreiniog National Reserve Map

Cors Erddreiniog National Nature Reserve

Floral Diversity

Fen

As result of successful restoration program along with the hydrological and ecological monitoring, now the fen has showing indicative species of calcareous and at the same time water retention time of the area has increased.

After spending the half-day at the restoration site, we moved towards another field i.e. Cors Bodeilio. In Cors Bodeilio we had an opportunity to observe the water connections within the area and nutrient stripping during the boardwalk. Really it was an unforgettable day. 

Cors Bodeilo National Reserve Map

Cors Bodeilio National Nature Reserve

Water Connection

Board walk within the Reserve

The last day

Finally, comes the last day of the conference. On this day I was expecting to have much more fun since we were supposed to visit many other fields. We started the day with few but very good presentations. Among others, Nina Menichino’s presentation was attracting my attention much, as my research interests are quite similar to her present research. The way she managed to relate vegetation harvesting and gaseous response was interesting. Along with that, I was also impressed by the presentation given by Mike West. His presentation was focused on the constructed wetlands’ nutrient intercepting.  Moreover, I must say that Dyfed Jones idea about rewetting of peat lands was fetching to me.  

Unfortunately, my health was not good at the last day and as a result, I missed the field trip to Cors Geirch National Natural Reserve.  

Although the conference is over, the knowledge I got from this conference in the context of Wale's wetlands will be milestone for my further project development and studies.