Traditional techniques used to preserve rare wildlife in the Broads
Modern technology has been replaced by the techniques of our ancestors to conserve part of the Broads in a bid to preserve some of the best quality fen in Europe.
The 18 hectare fen around Sutton Broad on the River Ant supports some of the UK’s rarest plants and insects such as orchids, crested buckler fern, small dotted footman and reed leopard moth. But over the years it has reverted to a wetland wilderness which has become dominated by scrub.
The fen is too wet for big machinery so just over five hectares has been hand cut using traditional techniques employed by marshmen of old. The work has been carried out in small blocks and the regrowth will be monitored to guide future fen management. In addition nearly two hectares of scrub has been removed.
The Broads Authority and the RSPB, which took over the wet fen in 2006, are working together to create a ‘mosaic’ of different rare plant and animal communities.
The work has been carried out by Paul Eldridge and Rowan Nichols who trained as reed and sedge cutters under the Broads Authority’s bursary scheme and have set up in business as conservation contractors. The project has been funded by the Broads Authority’s additional National Park grant.
Andrea Kelly, Head of Conservation for the Broads Authority, said:”We are trying to mimic the methods traditionally used by marsh men in those areas. The fen used to be cut for marsh hay which produced a rich diversity of vegetation unique in Western Europe.”
Richard Mason, warden at Sutton Fen, said “It has been fantastic to complete this exciting project working in partnership with the Broads Authority and we very much look forward to further opportunities to work in co-operation in the future – particularly where the end result is the revival of a piece of habitat of international importance supporting some of the country’s rarest flora and fauna”.
The Broads Authority and RSPB recently ran a fen management course at Sutton Fen for conservation managers from all over the UK to demonstrate the techniques used.
11/08/10
