Qixiang Lai

RETURNING TO PEATLAND-Fuzzy Edge

Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA)

Project description

Peatlands are ecologically important and play a vital role in carbon storage and water management. And now Flanders Moss, the oldest and largest surviving bog in the UK, is facing a range of problems including disconnection from its surroundings and flooding.My plan aims to fuzzy the edge, and this plan is in two parts.

The first of these parts is to create a complete network of wetlands, connecting drains, including individual patches,and creating a wetland corridor buffer along the river, which will help the surrounding land to store more floodwater, filter effluent flowing from farmland and pasture to the river, and alleviate flood pressures downstream.

The second part of the project is to create an intact and stable ecosystem that allows full exchange of wildlife between different patches and more habitat for rare species in the peatlands. The construction of ecological corridors to rewet the land at the edges of the peatlands, and the addition of Paludiculture as a buffer zone between the peatlands and the agro-pastoral land will not only bring economic benefits to the land users, but also effectively connect the whole ecology, increase the communication between flora and fauna and break down the otherwise rigid edge .

Finally, the further development of peatlands will allow people to access them, get up close to wildlife and learn about their cultural background and knowledge.

The beginning of the story

The journey of peat moss, from bud to end, is strewn with twists and turns. Flanders Moss, the UK's most extensive remaining bogland, has also experienced a complex journey from birth, to prosperity, to decline over the past 10,000 years. However, just as the moss withers and then lays the foundation stone for new life, so the Flanders Moss of the 21st century, and indeed the future, is on the verge of rebirth, pregnant with infinite new possibilities.

Peatland soil changes

PROPOSAL PLAN

SECTION

As a transition zone between peatland and agricultural and pastoral land, Paludiculture can make up for the lack of economic benefits of peatland, and local can not only grow wetland crops at the edge of peatland to obtain part of the economic income, but also raise the awareness of local residents about the protection of peatland in a disguised way, and the communication between peatland and the surrounding land can be strengthened.At the same time, the small animals and insects in peatland are also suitable for survival in Paludiculture, which serves as a buffer zone and enhances the biological exchange between peatland and the surrounding land.

TIME CHANGE

RENDERING 01-PALUDICULTURE

A meandering boardwalk through a vast area of Paludiculture transports visitors to a vibrant ecological paradise. Here, visitors are able to get a close-up look at the harmonious interaction of the diverse organisms of the Paludiculture and peatland in their natural environment. Birds flit through the air, bringing a soulful melody to this wetland; dragonflies and moths weave between the water and the grass, punctuating a colourful picture; lizards hide quietly in the shadows of the plants, sometimes leaping out to hunt. In addition, visitors and children can also participate in the farming of the farmland themselves, experiencing a different way of marsh farming and creating a closer connection with nature. It is not only an excellent place to observe biological interactions, but also inspires children's passion for peatland and natural environmental protection and develops their ecological and environmental awareness through field experiences and interactive activities.

RENDERING 02 - WETLAND CORRIDOR

The wetland corridor provides a solid buffer zone for the coastal area when flooding occurs, effectively relieving the impact pressure of floodwaters. It not only protects the neighbouring communities and agricultural land through flood storage, drainage and filtration, but also presents a beautiful wetland landscape for visitors. Lush reeds and aquatic plants swaying in the breeze, ponds in the wetland glistening with the light of the sun, and waterfowl circling in the air or foraging for food in the shallow water add to the spirited picture of this ecological paradise. A wooden boardwalk winds along the wetland corridor, providing visitors with a unique perspective overlooking the panorama. Visitors can not only enjoy the diverse creatures and natural beauty of the wetland, but also learn about the ecological functions and conservation measures of the wetland.

RENDERING 03 - PEATLANDS HISTORY MUSEUM

Peatlands carry a long history, and every millimeter of sediment tells a story of the past. The Peatland History Museum at the centre of this area is an important link between the past and the present. It provides an easily accessible retreat for visitors to enjoy the vast landscape of the peatlands. The museum's unique design, with one floor consisting of an all-glass structure, gives visitors a clear view of the peat layer cut at a depth of two to three meters below ground. The peat layers at different depths show different periods of deposition and change, as if a chronicle of peatland history, allowing people to witness the formation and development of peatlands over thousands of years. This intuitive display deeply attracts visitors' attention and uncovers the little-known history of peatlands for them. The Peatland History Museum is not only a place for people to learn and appreciate nature, but also inspires a sense of responsibility in protecting this valuable wetland resource.