Fen Management Handbook - Scottish Natural Heritage

6. Fen Management and Restoration
– Vegetation Management
Vegetation management is necessary on most fens to maintain
or restore the conservation interest. This section considers the
many different factors that influence which method of vegetation
management is the most appropriate for any particular fen, and
demonstrates through examples from around the UK the most
commonly used vegetation management techniques which can
be used to achieve agreed objectives. These objectives might be
to maintain or restore a particular habitat, community or even a
particularly noteworthy plant, animal or invertebrate species, or
group of species.
Techniques covered in this section include grazing, mechanical
cutting, mowing for hay, burning and scrub/tree control.
Reedbed management techniques are included where relevant
to perpetuating the conservation interest of fens. Methods
of re-establishing fen vegetation, including those specific to
fen meadow, are also outlined. Section 7 discusses water
management in relation to fens, and Section 8 offers guidance
on managing fen nutrient enrichment.
6.1 General principles of vegetation management
Section 5 explained very briefly the basic principles of succession in relation to
fens, and offers guidance on setting objectives and general fen management. The
purpose of most fen management is to maintain or restore open, species-rich
communities of characteristic vegetation and their associated flora and fauna. In
general, the aim is to decrease the spread or dominance of scrub or tall aggressive
vegetation such as great willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum), common bulrush
(Typha latifolia) and common reed (Phragmites australis), which often results from
increased nutrients and/or a lack of grazing or summer mowing.
Selshion Bog in Northern
Ireland was extensively
cut for turf in the past,
exposing fen peats
below and creating small
open pools used by Irish
damselfly. Following
cessation of cutting, birch
is rapidly colonising as
part of the successional
process from open fen
towards wet woodland
(B. Hamill).
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