Fen Management Handbook - Scottish Natural Heritage

5.7 Identify restraints on management
5.7.1 Statutory designations
Internationally or nationally important sites such as SACs or SSSIs (see Section
2.9 Fen conservation) have ‘Reasons for Notification’ which take precedence over
other management considerations. Failure to maintain an SAC feature in favourable
condition – or to restore it if damaged – may result in infraction procedures
against the UK Government in the European Court. Advice from statutory agency
specialists should be obtained if there are conflicts between internationally
important features.
The choice of SAC examples is based on knowledge of the distribution and extent
of the type, but Annex 1 features, i.e. habitats of European importance, occur
beyond designated SACs. Site managers should ensure that if Annex 1 features
are identified, their needs are addressed as a priority.
5.7.2 Archaeological interest
Many fens are rich repositories of archaeological evidence. Pollen grains in the
peat profile or particles generated from burning can reveal fascinating information
about a site’s history, vegetation changes and man’s past activities.
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There is no UK wide inventory of wetland sites of archaeological
importance, but a map of wetlands of archaeological importance has
been produced as part of the Wetland Vision for England (see below
5.8.1) Priority Areas for the historic environment, and for Scotland
SWAD: Scottish Wetlands Archaeological Database.
Any removal of peat or disturbance has the potential to uncover or
destroy irreplaceable archaeological remains. Prior consultation with the
relevant planning authority archaeologist is essential to determine the
likelihood of encountering archaeological remains before undertaking
any work which might affect water levels on fen sites. The use of
nutrient-enriched water may accelerate decomposition of organic
archaeological remains.
5.8 Decide what you are trying to achieve
Deciding what to do usually boils down to a series of choices: maintaining the
status quo or encouraging or discouraging certain species or habitat types. The
key is deciding which species, habitats, stage of succession, hydrological and
nutrient regime to aim for.
Where the fen habitats themselves, rather than any rare or specialised species that
they support, have intrinsic conservation interest, direct management at maintaining
specific vegetation communities. For example in calcareous fen NVC M10 Carex
dioica–Pinguicula vulgaris mire, manage the vegetation community as a whole
entity.