Cutting <i>Juncus</i> : Management of Dense Rush to Encourage <i>Sphagnum</i> Establishment on an Ex-Milled Peatland

The reintroduction of Sphagnum moss is central to the process of peatland restoration in the UK. Dominant Juncus effusus is a common problem resulting from eutrophication of peatland, reducing the value of the habitat. In this article we report on the management of an area of dense J. effusus to permit the reintroduction of Sphagnum onto a milled peat extraction site during restoration towards lowland raised bog. Trial plots were established in a waterlogged area of shallow mineralised peat covered with tall, dense J. effusus . Various treatments of repeated brush-cutting together with the removal (or not) of Juncus litter were applied, the plots planted with commercially produced Sphagnum plugs (BeadaHumok® West Pennines 5-species Mix), and followed up over three years. The results indicate that a plausible approach to reduce J. effusus where it is dominant and promote Sphagnum growth is to cut and windrow Juncus twice prior to Sphagnum planting, then regularly cut the Juncus to facilitate establishment of a Sphagnum lawn within the Juncus stubble. Cutting less frequently than yearly had little effect on Juncus dominance. The chosen Sphagnum plugs appeared suitable for this application as most of the five species were evident and thriving at the end of the trial.