Fen Management Handbook - Scottish Natural Heritage

1. Introduction and Basic Principles
Fens are magical places; they are an essential part of our
cherished landscape. They support a rich variety of wildlife, and
are often a repository of evidence of many generations of past
economic use and management. With so much in their favour, it is
perhaps surprising that fens are one of the least well recognised
habitats, and a part of our countryside which most people
understand little about.
This handbook has been produced to improve understanding
of fens and how they function, to explain why fens need
management and to provide best practice guidance. Case
studies are included at the end of most sections as practical
examples of the principles and techniques outlined in the text.
The handbook is aimed at anyone interested in fens, or who might
become involved in fen management, creation or restoration from
a practical, policy or planning perspective.
Key points and good practice are highlighted in green boxes.
Cautions about activities which might be legislatively controlled
or which might potentially damage the interest of fens are
highlighted in red boxes. Snapshot case studies in the text to
illustrate specific points are highlighted in yellow.
1.1 What are fens?
The word ‘fen’ is derived from the old English word ‘fenn’ meaning
marsh, dirt or mud.
A fen is a wetland that receives water and nutrients from surface and/or
groundwater, as well as from rainfall.
Differentiating between fens and bogs
Fens receive most of their water via rock and soil which contain
dissolved minerals creating growing conditions that allow more lush
vegetation than bogs.
Bogs receive water exclusively from rainfall which is acidic and contains
very few minerals; consequently rain-fed acid bogs support a less
diverse range of vegetation than fens.
Fens are found from sea level up into the hills, across the whole of the British
Isles. They range in size from tiny flushes of only a few square metres, to extensive
floodplain fens covering hundreds of hectares, forming important features in the
wider landscape and river catchments.
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