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THE RURAL STEWARDSHIP SCHEME Prescriptions for Wetland
features 15. Management of Wetland
| Aim: To enhance inbye wetland areas, for
birdlife and to encourage botanical diversity that will in turn benefit invertebrates.
Some BAP species that may benefit: Skylark, Otter, Reed bunting,
Marsh fritillary, Great crested newt Eligible sites: Wetland
on inbye land (including salt marsh and reed beds). | 
Photo:
SEPA Management Requirements: Grazing Regime
- Option 1 Livestock must be excluded for a period of at least 4 consecutive
months between 1 April and 31 August;
OR
| 
A rich wetland area with Marsh Marigold
| - Option
2 Livestock must be excluded from 1 April to 30 June and grazing in the period
from 1 July to 30 September must not exceed 0.3 livestock units per hectare;
OR - Option 3 Where the particular conservation interest of
the site would not be met by either of the above approaches, a livestock management
and grazing regime should be set out in a grazing plan to be agreed with Scottish
Ministers.
And, for all options: - he Audit must
include a statement to outline the method of control of rank vegetation growth
- Grazing or mowing must be in accordance with a plan agreed with Scottish
Ministers.
- No supplementary feeding to occur on the site
| Wetland Management
| box 3.12 |
| Water
vole
Its distribution is generally widespread but very fragmented and localised,
mainly due to habitat loss. The Water Vole's main habitats are earth banks alongside
open water, ditches and field drains, marshes and wetlands.
Photo: John Robinson |
| Wetland habitats are
critical for a variety of animal and plant species. Wetlands can be permanently
wet or, as within a flood plain, periodically immersed. Prescriptions 15-19 support
appropriate management of various wetland features and habitats found on farmland.
Wetlands are very important as breeding and feeding areas for waders, particularly
where associated with unimproved pasture. Different species of wading bird require
differing levels of water. For example, snipe need wet conditions to probe for
invertebrates while lapwing will inhabit drier areas. Many other bird species
are associated with wetlands. Reed buntings, for example, will nest in a variety
of wetland vegetation types including sedges, rushes and other tall, thick vegetation.
Alder, willow and other trees growing around wetlands and watercourses
are important in stabilising river banks. Bank erosion can be a problem in livestock
farming areas. Once stock are removed, both ground cover and woody vegetation
can establish. Native tree planting is appropriate in some instances; while, in
others, where more trees would result in excessive shading, it is not. The
agricultural threats to wetlands can be from drainage activities, fertiliser and
pesticide application, run-off and grazing livestock in inappropriate numbers
or when ground conditions are unsuitable | |
 Marsh
fritillary butterfly
This butterfly has declined across Europe
and Scotland. It is found in extensively grazed grassland with abundant Devil's-bit
scabious plants on which the caterpillars feed. The fritillary breeds on damp
flower-rich grasslands. Extensive grazing, ideally by cattle, in spring and summer
produces an uneven patchwork of short and long vegetation and may be the most
suitable management regime for this butterfly
Photo: Butterfly Conservation
| Also... - It is important to bear
in mind the conservation benefits this prescription is intended to deliver. Where
there may be a problem with the development of woodland or scrub on a particular
wetland site, the Environmental Audit should outline the necessary control measures
as an additional requirement.
- Where an alternative management regime
is proposed, evidence to support its adoption must accompany your application,
for example a letter of support from or a reference to advisory material produced
by a recognised conservation organisation.
| Saltmarsh |
box 3.13 |
| 
Saltmarsh, Urr Water, Solway Firth.
Photo: P&A Macdonald - SNH
|
Coastal saltmarsh (or 'merse') develops as salt-tolerant plants trap
sand, silt and mud deposited by a combination of tide and river. The growth of
vegetation on saltmarsh needs to be controlled. Heavy grazing during the early
part of the summer will however adversely affect the birds breeding on areas of
saltmarsh and will reduce the botanical diversity. It may also cause poaching
leading to erosion. Late summer grazing will make the area more attractive for
over-wintering birds. Grazing can have a marked effect on the vegetation
structure and variety. The aim of any grazing regime for this habitat should be
to create variations in sward height and composition. Short turf will provide
suitable feeding areas for wigeon and geese whereas taller vegetation will be
used as nesting cover by wildfowl and waders such as redshank, as well as a habitat
for specialised invertebrates. Inappropriate grazing levels, turf cutting,
realignment of creeks, reclamation drainage and nutrient enrichment are the main
threats to this habitat. | < Previous | Contents | Next > |
