The Upper Thames Tributaries
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Introduction
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The Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) scheme has now closed to new applicants. Defra introduced a new Environmental Stewardship Scheme on 3 March 2005 which supersedes (with enhancements) the ESA and Countryside Stewardship Schemes. These pages are in the process of being updated to reflect the latest information relating to this ESA.
The Upper Thames Tributaries covers approximately 27,200 hectares of the Thames Valley and the lower reaches of five tributaries - the Windrush, the Evenlode, the Glyme, the Cherwell and the Ray. These six valleys radiate from Oxford, to the west, north and north-east, draining parts of the Cotswold dip slope, the upper Thames Valley, parts of the Vale of Aylesbury and parts of the Northamptonshire ironstone belt. The majority of the ESA lies within Oxfordshire, with areas extending into Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire.
Description
The ESA contains a rich and diverse mix of landscape features, wildlife and ecological value, as well as a wide range of historical features, that combine to form a strong riverine character. The river valleys incorporate elements of lowland river landscape, such as pasture and meadow hedgerows, pollarded riverside willows, parkland and copses, as well as stone river bridges. The Thames and the Ray contain the wide, flat and open areas, such as Otmoor, whilst the upper reaches of the Windrush and Evenlode valleys form part of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and are characterised by complex meandering rivers that are contained by gently rising land. There are a wealth of archaeological remains, ranging from those which date from prehistoric times to more recent industrial structures, used particularly for milling and communication.
Significant Habitats and Species
Much of the ecological interest of the ESA is associated with the wet grassland of the valley bottoms. Of particular importance are the remnants of semi-natural hay meadow and wet pasture. These support botanically diverse swards and several rare and scarce plant species, regionally important populations of breeding waders and a rich invertebrate fauna, including the marsh fritillary butterfly (Eurodyas aurinia). The ESA also encompasses some areas of semi-natural calcareous grassland on the steep valley sides. Nineteen of these semi-natural grassland habitats have been designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and the meadows around Oxford are of international importance.
ESA Management Options
The management options for the different landscape types that can be entered into ESA agreements for the Upper Thames Tributaries are given in the ERDP documents section of this site, under Annex X of the England Rural Development Programme. This is a part-farm ESA with three main management options that land can be entered into:
All permanent grassland must be entered into option one. The grassland must be grazed (with limits on stocking rates), and restrictions are placed on fertiliser, and herbicide application. Agreement holders are also required to maintain ditches and other landscape features, such as pollarded willows, walls and hederows.
Option two relates to the management of wet grassland, the option one restrictions apply and in addition wetter conditions must be maintained by raising water levels in ditches during the spring and summer.
Option three provides for the reversion of arable land to permanent grassland or wet grassland, and the enhancement of the nature conservation interest of ponds, ditches and rivers by establishing grass buffer strips on arable land.
The Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme (ESA) is now closed to new entrants, however the current level of support will be maintained until the end of the life of the agreements.
Contacts
Anne Newson
Tel: 01993 886545
Vicky Robinson
Tel: 01993 886550
Page last modified: 26 April, 2006
Page published: 10 December, 2002