Fen Management Handbook - Scottish Natural Heritage

Cors Bodeilio NNR,
Anglesey, a rich-fen
system surrounded
by relatively intensive
agriculture (P.Jones).
Point source nutrient enrichment has reduced over recent years, but there has
been an increase in diffuse nutrient enrichment largely caused by agricultural
intensification and the increased use of chemical fertilisers and animal manures.
One result of this has been the steady increase in groundwater concentrations
of nitrates where catchments have been in receipt of chemical fertilisers. In
catchments where livestock farming is important, farmyard manure (FYM)
is a common source of diffuse phosphorus enrichment (as soluble reactive
phosphorus). Farm-yard effluent can also reach inflowing streams and seepages
and result in acute localised enrichment.
64