| Boundary Habitats - Cotswold Water Park |
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| Cotswold Water Park Action Plan |
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| Extent/Distribution The audit has calculated that there are approximately 212 km of hedgerow in the park (Smith et al 1997), but detailed information is not available as they have only been systematically surveyed in part of the central section. The good hedges contain a wide range of trees and scrubs species notably field maple, ash, hawthorn, blackthorn, purging blackthorn, elder, wild privet and grey willow, suckering elm and even a few black poplar. (Bell, D. 1992). Some boundary features near the Thames contain old willow pollards. As gravel extraction licenses have tended to be granted on a field by field basis, many lakes are surrounded by old hedgerows which, due to lack of management, have sometimes become valuable linear scrub features. Some hedges have also been lost in the Cotswold Water Park, when pits have been dug. Wide grassy verges exist, a few of which support the nationally scarce Downy-fruited sedge (Carex filiformis). At least 1 km of verges in the area have been included on the Gloucestershire Roadside Verges Register as important grasslands and another 1 km of species rich verge have been identified by Chalkhill Environmental Consultants 1995.
1) Retain and achieve the favorable management of all species rich hedgerows in the Cotswold Water Park by 2005. Rationale: Species rich hedgerows are a valuable biodiversity resource of the countryside. 2) Retain and achieve the favourable management of all existing pollarded trees, and other trees which have demonstrable conservation value, in the Cotswold Water Park. Target date: Ongoing. Willow pollards are characteristic of the Upper Thames Tributaries and contain significant dead wood habitat which is important for some nationally scarce invertebrates. Long neglect of pollards results in them becoming top heavy, so that they split in high winds. Repollarding should be carried out if possible, but advice should be sought, as although willows often repollard well, this operation can result in the death of the tree. 3) Maintain and enhance the ditches and grassland verges which are important for wildlife in the Cotswold Water Park, and encourage the management of these to promote species diversity. Target date: Ongoing. Rationale: Verges and ditches can provide a foothold for species characteristic of wetland and unimproved grassland respectively. In the Cotswold Water Park ditches may also provide important wildlife corridors between lakes and rivers. see above no information currently available Policy and legislation The Planning Framework
Management
Advisory Provide advice to landowners on the management of species rich hedgerows and ditches in the CWP, with special reference to the creation of conservation headlands, the management of pollards, and the management of blackthorn for Brown Hairstreak. LEAD:CWP Rangers Service PARTNERS: FWAG GWT EA TARGET: 1999 Research and monitoring
Research and Monitor To survey the hedgerows of the CWP to determine the total length of the habitat, and the quality of the habitat to determine priorities for conservation management and to deliver management proposals.* LEAD: NCF TARGET: 1998 To survey the ditches and verges of the CWP to determine priorities for conservation management, and deliver management proposals LEAD: NCF TARGET: 1998 Education and awareness
raising
none no information currently available |
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