Fen Management Handbook - Scottish Natural Heritage

Outcomes
In the eight years that the cattle have been on-site, there has been a considerable
increase in the physical structure of the tall-herb fen, without changes in community
composition. As well as variations in the height of the vegetation, acceptable levels
of scattered scrub, good tussock structure and additional microhabitats have been
maintained. Freeing-up of labour has allowed concentration on other areas requiring
management. The cattle are healthy and happy (as far as it is possible to tell!), and
are popular with visitors, and provide a focal point for discussion of wetland ecology
and management. While it may seem common sense to assume that this should
benefit fen invertebrates, there is as yet no clear evidence of this. A current threeyear
project, jointly funded by Natural England and the Broads Authority over a
number of fen sites, will go some way to answering this.
Traditional breeds of cattle
grazing Bure Marshes.
(Broads Authority)
Swallowtail butterfly –
the result of successful
management.
(Broads Authority)
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