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Louise Cullen from BBC News NI, who specializes in agriculture and the environment, reported that a conservation group has issued a warning stating that a cross-border peatland ravaged by fire may take thousands of years to fully recover ecologically. The fire on Slieve Beagh burned for three days in May, threatening the biodiversity of the area and the habitat of the endangered hen harrier. Roy Spence, a member of the River Blackwater Catchment Trust (RBCT), described the ongoing battle to restore the ecosystem to its former glory.
Slieve Beagh holds several designations for protection, including Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area, Ramsar status, and Area of Special Scientific Interest. Despite the scorched surface now showing signs of new growth, Mr. Spence emphasized that the presence of Molinia grasses poses a future fire hazard. It is a slow process for the moor to recover, and the RBCT has obtained EU funding to aid in the restoration efforts by removing invasive species and re-wetting the ground to return it to its original functionality.
Mr. Spence highlighted the importance of plant recovery in any ecosystem, and the necessary time for bog species like bilberry, sphagnum mosses, and bog myrtle to regrow. To fully repopulate the third-largest blanket bog in Northern Ireland with insects could take up to six years, followed by the return of birds. The RBCT is focusing on creating a fire plan that involves community participation alongside the utilization of technology such as drones for fire detection and suppression.
With plans to reintroduce grazing on the moor and deter individuals from intentionally starting fires, the RBCT aims to tackle the challenges posed by climate change, including hotter and drier springs. Mr. McCabe acknowledged the adversities faced but emphasized the collaborative efforts needed with landowners, the Forest Service, and farmers to implement effective solutions on the ground
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