Fen Management Handbook - Scottish Natural Heritage

Close grazed short sward
of sedges including Carex
panicea, Carex hostiana
and Schoenus nigricans
between Schoenus
tussocks in M13 at Cors
Bodeilio NNR (Pete Jones).
Scrub
Scrub management is widely practised, chiefly with respect to grey willow (Salix
cinerea) and downy birch (Betula pubescens). The usual current technique involves
cutting and removing with follow up herbicide treatment of cut stumps. Direct stem
injection has also been used, allowing dead timber to fall and rot in-situ in areas
with no direct public access. Both measures result in an acceptable kill rate. Handpulling
of seedlings is undertaken widely but becomes almost impossible above
stem heights of c. 0.75 m.
Vegetation cutting
Vegetation cutting has only been practised on a relatively small-scale basis, but
will expand greatly as a result of the LIFE project. Hand strimming and raking has
been used to help maintain relatively small patches of open-species rich alkaline
fen and has proved effective at slowing the spread of invasive tall graminoids
such as Cladium. Cutting to create firebreaks at Cors Goch has within 10 years
resulted in the development of species-rich M9 from rank impoverished Cladium
swamp and also aided grazing access by ponies. Trials with self-propelled mowers
with interchangeable front-mounted implements including a cutter bar, rotary
rake and small round baler show this method has considerable merit for locations
inaccessible to heavier machinery.
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