COASTAL AND FLOODPLAIN GRAZING MARSH
LOCAL BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN
ACTION COMPLETED IN 2005
1. Further fencing and ditching took place at Gowy Meadows. 31km of fencing has been erected, 8.5 km of ditches dredged and 8km of hedgerows reinstated.
2. The main sluice was heightened and water backed up slowly throughout the Autumn. Sliuce boards were then slowly lowered during the Spring.
3. Approximately 40 acres of rush have been cut to monitor grazing on cut pasture with Longhorn Cattle that have been introduced onto the site.
OBJECTIVES |
LOCAL TARGETS |
To take control of the water levels at Gowy Meadows. |
Insert sluices. |
CURRENT STATUS
Grazing marsh is described as periodically inundated pasture or meadow with ditches which maintain the water levels, containing standing brackish or fresh water. The ditches are especially rich in plants and invertebrates.
The exact extent of grazing marsh in the UK is not known, but it is possible that there may be a total of 300,000 ha. The Cheshire region has large areas that were once naturally inundated by both sea and fresh water. However, the demands of industry and the perceived need for improved agricultural land has led to the drainage of non-coastal areas along rivers whilst sea defence works for land gain have caused the loss of coastal grazing marsh. The only specific grazing marsh site within the Cheshire region with legal protection is Meols Meadow SSSI on the Wirral Peninsula, which covers 7.1ha.
A costed Action Plan for Coastal and Floodplain Grazing Marshes is included in the UK Steering Group Report (1995).
THREATS
- Ecologically insensitive flood defence works.
- Agricultural intensification.
- Industrialization.
- Groundwater abstraction.
- Pollution of groundwater or surface water.
- Neglect in traditional use.
CURRENT ACTION
- Grazing marsh is one of the habitats being targeted for grant aid through Countryside Stewardship.
- A Water Level Management Plan (1997) has been prepared by the Environment Agency for the Gowy meadows and ditches SBI.
- Statutory protection of the habitat through SSSI and RAMSAR designation and ESA notification.
- Liverpool Bay Natural Area Profile (EN1998) includes a section on grazing marsh.
- The RSPB is targeting advice to landowners re: wet grassland restoration initiatives.
ACTION REQUIRED IN 2006+
- Form a Local BAP Action Group for Coastal and Floodplain Grazing Marsh.
- Identify the extent of the resource and survey the habitat.
- Assess the results of the survey to establish existing wildlife potential.
- Actively involve landowners in restoration and maintenance projects.
- Raise awareness of the importance of grazing marsh habitat.
- Promote the existing programme of water level management plans for grazing marsh SSSIs.
- Promote the uptake of existing grant schemes.
- Comment on flood defence schemes where appropriate.
- Inclusion of issues relating to this habitat in LEAPs.
- Comment on abstraction licenses where appropriate.
- CWT are continuing their Countryside Stewardship work at Gowy Meadows with a rolling programme of further fencing and ditching at Gowy Meadows. Additions to the Longhorn Cattle herd will be sought. Further cutting of rushy pastures will be considered once monitoring results have been assessed.
ACTION COMPLETED PREVIOUSLY
- Phase I habitat; breeding birds; hedgerows; invertebrates (aquatic and terrestrial) and water vole survey undertaken by Cheshire Wildlife Trust for the Environment Agency
- CWT took on a 25 year lease of the Gowy Meadows on 1.9.2001. CWT successfully applied for Countryside Stewardship for the site in 2002. CWT have implemented the Countryside Stewardship grant. 11km of fencing and 2 km of ditching work took place in 2002. Grazing pressure has been substantially reduced and surveying and monitoring efforts increased.
- MSc Project carried out by Charlotte Murray (Liverpool University) entitled "Gowy Meadows a haven for Water Voles? ", investigating the effects of the implementation of the proposed water level management plan on the water vole population.
- Invertebrate monitoring has continued on Gowy meadows.
- MSC project started on Aquatic macrophytes and beetle assemblages on Gowy Meadows.
- Survey of small mammals on Gowy Meadows in August 2002.
- Bird survey continuing on Gowy Meadows.
- CWT carried out a survey of the Shell owned area of Gowy Meadows during summer 1999.
- In 2003 CWT started work at Gowy Meadows under DEFRA's Countryside Stewardship Scheme re-instating ditches and fencing off against livestock. Stocking rates have also been revised as have the stock types with all horses and sheep removed. In total 9148 metres of fencing was erected and 2319 metres of ditch cleared.
- Further fencing and ditching took place at Gowy Meadows in 2004.
ACTUAL LBAP IMPLEMENTERS
| CWT |
EN |
RSPB |
| DEFRA |
FWAG |
TWT |
| EA |
rECOrd |
|
OTHER POTENTIAL IMPLEMENTERS
| Cheshire County Council |
Landowners |
Shooting syndicates |
| Industrialists |
Local groups and individuals |
|
CONTACT
Jacki Hulse, Cheshire Wildlife Trust
Phone: 01270 619606
Fax: 01270 610430
REFERENCES
RSPB, EN, ITE (1997): The Wet Grassland Guide: Managing floodplain and coastal wet grassland for wildlife.
Burgess, N. D. & Harons, G. J. M. (1990): Techniques of hydrological management at Coastal Lagoons and Lowland Wet Grasslands on RSPB reserves, RSPB.
Harley, J. B. & Laxton, P.: A Survey of the County Palatine of Chester
Burdett, P. P. (1777): The Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 1: Meeting the Rio Challenge, London.
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 2:Action Plans, London.
EN: Liverpool Bay Natural Area Profile
Date compiled - 1998
Date reviewed - 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
The Wirral Biodiversity Action Plan for coastal and floodplain grazing marsh can be seen at www.wirral.gov.uk/ed/biodiversity/cfgm.htm
