Fen Management Handbook - Scottish Natural Heritage

Extensive grazing has proven to be extremely successful in creating great structure
within the fen swards, while increasing biodiversity across the fen.
As part of the project a large visitor centre was built to provide facilities for
interpretation and education programmes. The centre is heated by a very low
energy ground source heat pump and has many recycled materials used in its
construction. A number of additional pathways were constructed around the reserve
and two viewing platforms were installed in order to increase visitor enjoyment and
appreciation of the fen; one platform was provided specifically for viewing the fen
raft spider in its natural habitat.
Plans for the future
Cyclical long term shallow peat scraping is likely to be proposed as a management
technique, albeit on a much smaller scale than in the restoration phases of the
project.
Comments
This is an example of water abstraction and nutrient enrichment causing dramatic
changes in plant communities. The restoration work achieved through partnership
working enabled the very first relocation of a public water supply to occur on
environmental grounds alone.
98
Konik ponies grazing at
Regrave and Lopham Fen