Fen Management Handbook - Scottish Natural Heritage

9.6 Check list of issues to consider in relation to fen creation
Information
required/issues to
be considered
Planning permissions,
consents and licensing
Soils/geology – type,
structure, condition, depth
Why Where from
Many operations (including water
abstraction, landform creation and spoil
removal, works on floodplains etc.) require
some form of legal or statutory consent.
Relevant agencies may be able to advise
and assist on most appropriate options, and
help to identify or reduce potential issues at
an early stage.
Soil type and nutrient status influence
type(s) of fen that may be created, and
function and management thereafter. Soils
and geology are also fundamentally linked
to hydrological function of fens e.g. water
sources, movement, retention, chemistry,
which in turn will influence expected
vegetation types e.g. reedbed will flourish
on nutrient rich sites, where poor fen would
fail.
Hydrology Quantity and quality of water are
fundamental to fen function. The underlying
solid and superficial geology will largely
determine the biochemistry of a site
in terms of acidity/alkalinity (pH). The
types of rock (chalk, sandstone, shales
etc.) and superficial deposits (clays,
sands, gravels etc.) will dictate whether
water will issue from an aquifer, or
whether water will be held on site by an
impervious layer and consequently affect
the hydrology/hydrological regime of any
proposed fen.
Topography Site topography and height relative to
surrounding land will largely dictate the
way in which water reaches a site and the
type of fen habitat that can be created.
Topography will also dictate: site/habitat
designs
long-term function and management
whether proposals (particularly those
involving manipulation, retention or
management of water regimes) may affect
other adjacent landowners
location, type and scale of water
management structures such as sluices,
bunds, scrapes etc.
Local biodiversity context Identifies other similar habitats nearby, from
which experience of type, design, function
and management can be learned. Will
also inform most appropriate type of fen(s)
that may be possible or suitable in an area,
and may provide local seed sources for
vegetation establishment and/or natural
colonisation source(s) for new site.
Statutory conservation agencies,
planning authorities and others.
Early discussions and site meetings
normally essential.
Undertake own survey/investigations
to gain general understanding of
site. Consult available soil maps
e.g. British Geological Survey.
Professional advice likely to be
required for larger scale projects.
Undertake own survey/investigations
to gain basic understanding of water
sources, quantities, inflow/outflows
on site. Consult meterological data.
Consult with relevant agencies such
as EA (England and Wales), SEPA
(Scotland) and NIEA (Northern
Ireland) to determine water/
abstraction availability. Professional
advice and investigations also likely to
be required for larger projects.
Undertake own survey/investigations
or commission professionals
Statutory conservation agencies,
local BAP network and environmental
organisations, BARS website.
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