Appendix 1 - Land management options - Wetland
- Maintenance of ponds of high wildlife value < 100 sq m HQ1
- Maintenance of ponds of high wildlife value > 100 sq m HQ2
- Reedbeds
- Fens
- Lowland raised bogs
For each option, overall aims, management requirements and relationships with ELS and OELS options are explained. The exact management requirements for each option, including optional prescriptions, will be negotiated with you, and then included in your agreement. The prescriptions text between square brackets may be changed by advisers to suit particular situations and management needs.
Where HLS options can be located with ELS or OELS options this is highlighted at the end of the text describing the options, see below.
Wetlands come in many different forms and are one our greatest natural assets. Wetland habitats include ponds, reedbeds, fens, bogs and coastal and floodplain grazing marsh. For wetland coastal and floodplain grazing marsh please see pages 83-85 and for coastal saltmarsh options, see page 100. They are home to a wide diversity of wildlife and they are often important and distinctive features of the local landscape. The following options are designed to maintain, restore or create these wetland habitats.
Maintenance of ponds of high wildlife value < 100 sq m HQ1
View prescriptions and indicators of success
Maintenance of ponds of high wildlife value > 100 sq m HQ2
These options are targeted at ponds which are of particular value to wildlife, e.g. because they support rare or threatened species or because of the diversity of wildlife which is present.
Management will be tailored to the individual pond, but will require you to: retain the present pond profile; retain submerged or partially submerged dead wood; allow natural draw-down to occur. You must not: top-up the water level; alter the drainage of the pond or adjoining land in any way; use any pesticides or fertilisers within 6 m of the pond; introduce any plants, animals or waterfowl or feed any waterfowl.
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Reedbeds
Reedbeds are an important part of the wetland landscape mosaic. They provide a valuable habitat for plants, insects and birds, including the rare and secretive bittern. Many sites are small and neglected, whilst some of the larger sites are threatened by drainage and other land improvements. Reedbeds can also be harvested to provide traditional material for purposes such as thatching.
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Maintenance of reedbeds HQ3
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Restoration of reedbeds HQ4
These options maintain or restore reedbeds to provide a valuable habitat for birds, insects and small mammals. Sites suitable for these options should usually be over 0.5 ha with a good cover of reeds.
Management includes: maintaining water control structures in good working order; controlling scrub cover and retaining some open water; cleaning ditches and foot-drains no more than once in every five years; cutting ditch banks in rotation; no fertiliser. You must not use poor quality water to top-up the water levels.
Restoration may include: clearing scrub; cutting reeds in the summer; implementing a water management regime; restoring the ditch network. Restoration or installation of water control structures and restoration of ditches may be funded under a Capital Works Plan.
Where mowing is appropriate, supplement HQ11 is available.
View prescriptions and indicators of success
Creation of reedbeds HQ5
This option creates new reedbeds on land of existing low conservation interest. It is suitable for use on arable, ley grassland or permanent improved grassland. The site should be flat and have a reliable summer water supply. It will be necessary to maintain up to 30 cm depth of water over part of the site in the summer months. Reedbed creation would not be allowed on archaeological features.
Reedbed creation and establishment will be informed by a management plan. This plan will detail the design and construction of the reedbed and will include: creating a variety of land forms with areas of higher ground and areas of shallow open water; excavating ditches, installing bunds and sluices; and establishing reeds. Once established, the reedbed will be managed as HQ3.
Fens
Fens range from wetlands that are typically dominated by rushes, sedges, wetland grasses and characteristic flowering plants, to others that are moss covered. Fens can be easily damaged by additional inputs of nutrients or by scrub encroachment. In addition to high botanical diversity, many of these sites will support a variety of birds and insects. These options can also help protect archaeological sites, particularly organic remains.
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Maintenance of fen HQ6
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Restoration of fen HQ7
These options maintain or restore fens to provide a valuable habitat for birds, insects and small mammals. They are applicable to fens of all sizes, from the smallest around springs or in small depressions, to large areas on floodplains.
Management will include: maintaining water control structures and gateways in good working order; maintaining fens in an open condition with just a few scattered trees or shrubs. You must not allow water containing high levels of nutrients to empty into fens or use poor quality water to top-up water levels.
Restoration may include: scrub clearance and implementation of a water management regime. Restoration or installation of water control structures and restoration of ditches may be funded by a Capital Works Plan.
Where mowing and/or grazing is appropriate, supplements HQ11 and HQ12 are available.
View prescriptions and indicators of success
Creation of fen HQ8
This option creates new fens on land of low conservation interest especially around existing wetlands. Suitable sites will be arable, ley grassland or permanent improved grassland on peaty soils that are over 0.5 ha; or less, if part of a wider wetland mosaic. The potential for this option will depend on the availability of a reliable summer water supply. Fen creation will not be allowed on archaeological sites.
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Lowland raised bogs
These rare and fragile ecosystems occur on acid peat deposits and only survive in waterlogged conditions. Historically they often formed part of a larger wetland mosaic. Management of adjacent areas is likely to influence the condition of the bog, and they are easily damaged by drainage, peat digging or scrub encroachment.
Maintenance of lowland raised bog HQ9
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Restoration of lowland raised bog HQ10
These options maintain or restore lowland raised bog to provide habitat for the specialist plants and wildlife that are associated with them. Sites suitable for restoration will usually occur on acid peat deposits, be part of a wider wetland habitat and have at least some typical bog plants.
Management will include: retaining rainfall to maintain a high water table throughout the year; maintaining water control structures in good working order; not digging or turning over peat; and no fertilisers. Restoration may include removing scrub and tree cover to below 10% cover of the site area and/or filling or blocking ditches.
Where grazing is appropriate, supplement HQ12 is available.
View prescriptions and indicators of success
Wetland cutting supplement HQ11
This supplement supports a cutting regime where this is the most appropriate form of management for the habitat. In addition, this option may help maintain local techniques and traditions that may otherwise disappear.
It is only available on the maintenance, restoration and creation options for reedbed or fen, options options HQ3 - HQ8.
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Wetland grazing supplement HQ12
This supplement supports a grazing regime on fens or lowland raised bogs where this is the most appropriate form of management for the habitat.
It is only available with maintenance, restoration and creation of fens and maintenance and restoration of lowland raised bog options HQ6 - HQ10.
View prescriptions and indicators of success
Page last modified:
21 March, 2006
Page published: 3 March, 2005