Issues

Recreation

Many popular walking routes cross sensitive blanket bog areas. Improper or excessive use of these trails damages the vegetation and makes problems such as erosion worse. The use of boardwalks or equivalent structures can reduce the damage caused by walkers.

The increased use of all-terrain vehicles for recreational, agricultural and sporting activities can also cause erosion and local disturbance. In recent years damage caused by quad-bikes has become an increasing problem especially on upland bogs. The use of quad bikes on peatlands is also associated with damage caused by livestock trampling as the vehicles are generally used in agriculture. Damage is greatest in areas where livestock are concentrated e.g feeding areas.

Game management, such as pheasant rearing, is usually very limited and confined to the margins of raised bogs, whereas clay pigeon shooting can cause localised trampling and lead contamination.