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Fen Management Handbook - Scottish Natural Heritage

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Site visits and careful<br />

assessment of every aspect<br />

are essential to any fen<br />

creation project (RSPB).<br />

If the site is a post industrial or agricultural site with the potential for creating<br />

different landforms, it may be possible to create suitable basins, shelves and dykes<br />

to facilitate the development of different types of fen and other wetland habitats.<br />

9.8.1 Water depth and stability of the water regime<br />

Digger at Ham Wall<br />

(RSPB)<br />

Water depth will influence the type of fen which develops, and is therefore critical<br />

in design and ground preparation. Most types of fen vegetation develop where<br />

summer water depths vary from up to 10 cm above the substrate to 30 cm or<br />

more below the surface at the end of the summer, depending on the type of fen<br />

vegetation and water supply mechanism. Winter water levels are significantly higher<br />

and can be 30 to 50 cm above the fen surface.<br />

Published eco-hydrological guidelines for some fen plant communities are<br />

summarised in the table below. Similar guidelines are being developed for more<br />

plant communities, including the Juncus subnodulosus – Cirsium palustre fenmeadow<br />

(M22).<br />

The mean, maximum and minimum water levels (cm) above (positive numbers) or<br />

below (negative numbers) the substratum surface for some fen plant communities.<br />

201

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