 |
 Wetland Management |
| The Project Woodland site contains a `wetland` area, which will be managed by the group in accordance with Rural Stewardship Scheme (RSS) regulations. |
| Wetland Management Wetland habitats are critical for a variety of animal and plant species. They can be permanently wet or, as within a flood plain, periodically immersed. Wetlands are very important as breeding and feeding areas for waders, particularly where associated with unimproved pasture. Different species of wading bird require differing levels of water. For example, snipe need wet conditions to probe for invertebrates while lapwing will inhabit drier areas. Many other bird species are associated with wetlands. Reed buntings, for example, will nest in a variety of wetland vegetation types including sedges, rushes and other tall, thick vegetation. Alder, willow and other trees growing around wetlands and watercourses are important in stabilising river banks. Bank erosion can be a problem in livestock farming areas. Once stock are removed, both ground cover and woody vegetation can establish. Native tree planting is appropriate in some instances; while, in others, where more trees would result in excessive shading, it is not. The agricultural threats to wetlands can be from drainage activities, fertiliser and pesticide application, run-off and grazing livestock in inappropriate numbers or when ground conditions are unsuitable. |
| Creation and Management of Wetland Aim: To convert arable or improved grassland to wetland by raising water levels. The habitat created will support a range of plants, invertebrates, birds and mammals and provide both feeding and breeding areas. Some BAP species that may benefit: Skylark, Otter, Reed bunting, Great-crested newt. Eligible sites: AAPS eligible land or improved grassland where the raised water levels resulting from creation of wetland would not adversely affect other land, cause the erosion of river banks or be liable to cause damage to archaeology. In most situations, it is anticipated that once wetland or damp conditions are created there will be natural colonisation by appropriate plant species. Even if there is not a great diversity of species, the wetland site is still liable to be of conservation value - providing a suitable habitat for amphibians, invertebrates and a range of bird species. |
| Management Requirements: The site must be managed to ensure that it is normally saturated with water for a significant proportion of the year. The site must not be mown or grazed for a period of at least 3 consecutive months between 15 April and 15 August, after which rank growth should be controlled. On fertile sites, where practicable, mowing may be allowed, with disposal of cuttings, between these dates with the prior written agreement of Scottish Ministers Fertiliser including slurry or farmyard manure must not be applied to the site. Pesticides may be applied only with the prior written agreement of Scottish Ministers. No supplementary feeding to occur on the site. Also... Care should be taken when identifying or approving sites that the action taken to create the damp conditions e.g. blocking or diverting drains or ditches only affects the proposed site. The management of water levels may range from highly sophisticated systems involving dams and sluices through to a simple system where the normal water level in an outfall ditch is controlled. Reversion to woodland or domination by a few aggressive species must be prevented. If there is to be no grazing or mowing, there is a possibility that the site may tend to revert to woodland and in such situations the applicant would have to take steps to remove young trees. |