The GWCT at BBC Countryfile Live

Trees / Upland Debate

Is it worth pointing out that if you plant trees on deep peat the resulting water evaporation via transpiration will lead to the drying out of the peat which will then oxidize and release captured carbon and methane. The amounst lost woudl far outweigh any gained in forestry production which itself wouyld be lost eventualy through harvesting. They will also shade out sphagnum mosses responsible for carbon capture / peat formation. Is this worth the dubious advantages of possibly slowing some rainfall run off from the hills? In situations of very high rainfall a few trees will not make any significant difference and huge areas would need to be reforested to have a effective impact. What would this mean for the flora and fauna that relies on open upland habitats? This idea has no ecological merit and is just another way for the anti shooting lobby to try to attack shooting without regard to the people and species the land use supports or the important eco systems services already being effectively delivered.