Fen Management Handbook - Scottish Natural Heritage

Another mechanism for funding wetland creation and enhancement is through
planning gain agreements. The legal structure for this mechanism varies across
the UK, but allows for funds and land to be directed to the provision and
management of habitats as mitigation for development losses. The presence of
‘wild’ but accessible wetland habitat adjacent to a housing development can add
considerably to property value, especially those overlooking the wetland (such
as the London Wetlands Centre). Further from the site, there are still benefits for
general amenity and the local economy.
12.4.2 Indirect income generation
In ‘Watched Like Never Before’ (Dickie et al, 2006) the RSPB discuss the local
economic benefits of spectacular bird species. Together with organisations such as
the National Trust and Wildlife Trusts, RSPB have recognised that raising the profile
of their charity can also help raise funds, at the same time as helping protect and
conserve key species and features.
An example of generating indirect income from a wetland
Between 26th June and 31st August 2004, a watch point was arranged
with a neighbouring farmer to RSPB Frampton Marsh nature reserve
giving the public the first opportunity to watch Montagu’s harriers in the
UK. The project received significant media coverage and was visited by
5,660 people. The volunteers worked a total of 1,464 hours, worth over
£9,000 to the Society. Car parking charges raised £5,384, a portion of
which was paid to the farmer. A sale of harrier artwork made £616 and
certificates raised £143 towards installing a bench in Frampton Parish.
Quantifying the benefits of a single action or project on an individual site is often
difficult, particularly as part of a long-term process, but utilisation and appreciation
of wildlife amenities within the community are critical to raising public awareness
of the value of wetlands, and to sustaining and increasing indirect funding for site
management.
At the RSPB reserve at Ham Wall, the local hotel’s out of season
earnings are boosted by parties having a meal after an organised walk
round the reserve.
12.5 Preservation services
As a result of agricultural drainage and improvement, particularly over the last few
hundred years, fens have become increasingly rare in the UK and Europe. That
they have become targets for conservation action is illustrated, for example, by the
inclusion of Calcareous fens with Cladium mariscus and species of the Caricion
davallianae, and Alkaline fens, in Annex 1 of the EU Habitats Directive. This
legislation gives an unprecedented degree of protection to endangered species and
habitats within Europe. Although direct income generation may play a critical part in
funding fen management, many would argue that it is the preservation of these rare
and very special habitats is the most valued of the ecosystem services fens provide.
From an anthropocentric perspective, preservation of biodiversity safeguards
the future, but currently un-recognised, value of genetic resources for science,
medicine and agricultural development. As identified earlier in this handbook, and
described more fully by Rydin and Jeglum 2007, (Chapter 6), fens also contain
a remarkable resource of well preserved archaeological remains and important
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