Fen Management Handbook - Scottish Natural Heritage

5.2 Checklist of key stages in deciding on appropriate management for a fen
Stage What you need to do
Look at the
broader context
Site survey to
establish what is
there now
Hydrological
assessment
Nutrient
assessment
Identifying
past and future
changes
Identify restraints
on management
Decide what
you are trying to
achieve
Compare existing
and target regimes
and identify
issues/ problems
Identify necessary
changes
Identify suitable
techniques to
achieve changes
Evaluate suitability
of techniques
Information gathering/research into:
Cultural history
Past management
Changes in extent of fen
Wider catchment – land use, drainage, pollution, soils and geology.
Proximity to other fens/wetlands - is the fen part of a series of wetland sites? for example
Norfolk Valley Fens, Midlands Meres and Mosses
Species and habitat survey and mapping
Soil and geological survey
See Section 3: Understanding Fen Hydrology
Work out sources of water inflow and outflow.
Identify variations in water quality and quantity – seasonally and across the site, over life of fen
– and causes.
See Section 4: Understanding Fen Nutrients
Assess the nutrient status of the fen
Identify past changes in flora and fauna
Identify past changes in hydrological regime and nutrient status
Identify factors influencing species, habitat, hydrology, nutrient regime
Assess how these factors might influence flora, fauna, hydrology and nutrients in future
Identify any restraints imposed by or associated with:
Designations (site, local, regional)
Archaeological evidence which may be buried in the fen
Services (power, telecommunications)
Public access/rights of way
Land ownership or tenancy agreement
Establish objectives (maintain or encourage key species? maintain status quo? more open
water? control scrub invasion? raise water table?)
Identify target habitat(s) and species
Identify target hydrological regime
Establish how target species/habitat(s) differ from the current species/habitats present
Establish how target hydrological/management regimes differ from current regimes
Loss of or change in species/habitat
Changes in hydrology or nutrient status
Causes of changes in species/habitat/hydrology/nutrient status
Establish what you need to do to achieve target regime/habitat or address problems
Consider appropriate vegetation, water and nutrient management techniques – see Section 6:
Fen Vegetation Management, Section 7: Fen Water Management and Section 8: Managing Fen
Nutrient Enrichment, Appendix VI Management for Bryophytes and Appendix VII Management
for Vertebrates and Invertebrates
Research/draw on experience elsewhere (see case studies included within this handbook)
Consider how restraints identified above may limit choice of management options
Assess what control you have over factors influencing changes, problems or issues
Assess the costs of proposed management
Assess whether the required management is realistically achievable
Assess whether fen restoration is practical and sustainable
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