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THE RURAL STEWARDSHIP SCHEME 17. Creation and Management
of Wetland
| Aim: To convert arable or improved grassland
to wetland by raising water levels. The habitat created will support a range of
plants, invertebrates, birds and mammals and provide both feeding and breeding
areas. Some BAP species that may benefit: Skylark, Otter,
Reed bunting, Great-crested newt. Eligible sites: AAPS eligible
land or improved grassland where the raised water levels resulting from creation
of wetland would not adversely affect other land, cause the erosion of river banks
or be liable to cause damage to archaeology. - In most situations,
it is anticipated that once wetland or damp conditions are created there will
be natural colonisation by appropriate plant species. Even if there is not a great
diversity of species, the wetland site is still liable to be of conservation value
- providing a suitable habitat for amphibians, invertebrates and a range of bird
species.
| Management Requirements: - The
site must be managed to ensure that it is normally saturated with water for a
significant proportion of the year.
- The site must not be mown or grazed
for a period of at least 3 consecutive months between 15 April and 15 August,
after which rank growth should be controlled. On fertile sites, where practicable,
mowing may be allowed, with disposal of cuttings, between these dates with the
prior written agreement of Scottish Ministers
- Fertiliser including slurry
or farmyard manure must not be applied to the site.
- Pesticides may be
applied only with the prior written agreement of Scottish Ministers.
- No
supplementary feeding to occur on the site
Also...
- Care should be taken when identifying or approving sites that the action taken
to create the damp conditions e.g. blocking or diverting drains or ditches only
affects the proposed site.
- The management of water levels may range from
highly sophisticated systems involving dams and sluices through to a simple system
where the normal water level in an outfall ditch is controlled.
- Reversion
to woodland or domination by a few aggressive species must be prevented. If there
is to be no grazing or mowing, there is a possibility that the site may tend to
revert to woodland and in such situations the applicant would have to take steps
to remove young trees.
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