Fen Management Handbook - Scottish Natural Heritage

5.3.3 Scale
Although fens are linked hydrologically with the surrounding landscape, from a
wildlife perspective many of the critical links between wetlands which are so crucial
to the viability of individual species and population dynamics have been lost through
isolation and fragmentation of individual fens. Future management must take into
account other wetlands in the area, which may provide a refuge of species which
could be reintroduced or encouraged to colonise the fen or form the basis for
development of a linked habitat chain.
Fens are often found in association with other semi-natural habitat types, which
may in turn contribute to their ecological function or conservation. Fen conservation
also therefore needs to be considered in the context of broader conservation
programmes, existing and proposed, which embrace other semi-natural habitats
as well as fens. Equally, where other habitats or species are the primary objective
for management, opportunities for fen conservation may also be possible and
desirable. Integrated management of aquatic and terrestrial habitats helps maintain
and re-establish the ecological and hydrological links between them. Working at a
landscape scale provides an opportunity to enable dynamic plant communities to
develop as part of a more natural mosaic.
Management of fens at a landscape scale, rather than individual site level, can help
optimise resource use and make all the difference in the viability and sustainability
of management. For example, while it may be difficult to find a suitable grazier for a
single small fen, grazing a number of sites in the same area on rotation may be more
cost effective than cutting.
The scale of projects will vary in different parts of the country. Projects such as
the Great Fen Project and Wicken Fen are both exciting large-scale projects
within intensively farmed landscapes. A major issue is going to be managing the
landscape between the fens so that it is also favourable for wildlife. In the UK,
removing large areas of land from intensive agricultural production to manage for
nature conservation has rarely been an option. The conservation of fens at wider
landscape level therefore presents a real challenge, not only in terms of habitat
restoration and re-creation but also finding ways to encourage more sympathetic
management of land outside protected areas. The involvement of key partners,
stakeholders, and often neighbours, is critical to the success of any project.
The Lough Beg project In Northern Ireland is a good example of a large
scale project. The RSPB Futurescapes programme, in partnership with
NIEA and Department of Agriculture & Rural Development in Northern
Ireland (DARD) is restoring wetland habitats at a landscape scale within
the Lough Neagh and Lough Erne Basins.
Biffaward – This awards grants (donated by Biffa Waste Services)
to community and environmental projects across the UK – enabled
RSPB to employ a Restoration Officer for 12 months to write a 5
year management plan for Lough Beg. The implementation of the
management plan will secure the restoration of 500ha of wetland
habitat. Lough Beg, which lies just north of Lough Neagh, is an
ASSI and an SPA but it is currently in unfavourable condition. The
management plan, prepared in partnership with local landowners, NIEA,
DARD and Rivers Agency, has identified and prescribed remedies to
restore the ASSI to favourable condition.
81