| Grazing Marsh - Devon |
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| Extent/Distribution Approximately 300 hectares on Braunton Marsh, 350 hectares on Exminster Marshes and 70 hectares on the Axminster marshes, plus other smaller systems that are no longer managed traditionally. Land development for roads, industry and housing continues to pose a threat of loss of grazing marsh Habitat loss and degradation through agricultural improvement and or intensification is widespread. The use of artificial fertilisers has led to a reduction in biodiversity of these grasslands and associated habitats. High stocking levels during the bird breeding season causes nest losses to ground nesting birds. Management of ditch systems is often either neglected or too severe for maximum benefit to the plants and animals which are dependent on them. Profiles and water levels which create effective wet ditches as well as the best conditions for many aquatic plants are not maintained. Nutrient enrichment of ditches comes from the use of fertilisers, either directly on the marshes themselves or indirectly by run off and drainage from other agricultural land. Another source of pollution and nutrient enrichment is from sewage discharges, again this can be either nearby or remote. As a result of nutrient enrichment plant communities have altered to those species that can tolerate and thrive in eutrophic conditions, such as pondweeds Lemna spp. And filamentous algae Enteromorpha spp. With the associated loss of more sensitive submerged and emergent aquatic plant species such as frogbit. These species block the light to invertebrates and plants living beneath the water and have a serious effect on species such as the hairy dragonfly. Disturbance to feeding and roosting birds from wildfowling in winter and other recreational activities such as dog walking and birdwatching may cause problems in certain areas. The use of grazing marshes for flood water storage can cause conflict with nature conservation interests. These issues will be addressed in the forthcoming water level management plans for the Exe and the Erme. The predicted rise in sea level may cause existing sea walls to fail, leading to inundation of grazing marshes with salt water and a consequent loss of this habitat with many of its associated species. Where so-called "managed retreat" is practised, and a new sea wall is created further inland, measures should be taken to create new grazing marsh as well as to preserve as much of the existing habitat as possible OBJECTIVE 1. Arrest the decline of grazing marsh in Devon Targets Maintain current extent of approximately 600 hectares and improve quality of grazing marsh in Devon Targets Restore 100 hectares of grazing marsh in Devon which has become too dry or is intensively managed by the year 2000 OBJECTIVE 3. Recreate grazing marsh where it has been lost and create new areas where opportunities arise e.g. as part of managed retreat. Targets Create 100 hectares of grazing marsh from arable land by the year 2005 [ See above ] no information currenbtly available
Policy and legislation Consider extending the Blackdown Hills ESA at the next review to cover the whole river catchments of the Axe (and Yarty), Otter, Culm and Sid. (BY 2000)LEAD:MAFF, FRCA PARTNERS:Blackdown Hills Project Consider including grazing mash throughout the county as target
areas for Countryside Stewardship. (BY 2000) Management
Promote the uptake of Countryside Stewardship agreements on Braunton
Marsh. (BY 2000) Promote the recreation of grazing marsh on arable land where appropriate throughout the county using Countryside Stewardship. (BY 2010) LEAD:MAFF, FRCA PARTNERS: RSPB/DWT FWAG Promote the existing programme of water level management plans which enhance the wildlife interest of grazing marshes in Devon on SSSIs (priority sites Braunton Marsh, Exminster Marshes). LEAD:EN, EA, IDBs PARTNERS: RSPB/DWT Ensure water level management plans are established for all grazing marsh SSSIs in Devon by the year 2000. LEAD: EN PARTNERS:EA, IDBs, Land Owners, LAs, Unitary AuthÕties Extend the programme of water level management plans to include
non-SSSI wet grassland and grazing marsh such as the Axe by 2005, following
the MAFF published procedural guidance for operating authorities. (BY
2005) LEAD:EA Land Owners, IDBs Research and monitoring
Monitor water quality in ditch systems in order to monitor possible eutrophication. (BY 2000) LEAD:EA Encourage research into recreation of grazing marsh on arable
land, looking at reducing enrichment, grass production on the ÔmarshÕ,
suitable livestock breed. (BY 2010)
LEAD: EN, EA, IDBs Identify smaller areas of potential grazing marsh or lowland wet
grassland which may be targeted for water level management plans. (BY
2005) LEAD: EA Education and awareness raising
Produce an annual programme of visitor days for one site in the County by 1999 LEAD:NGOs PARTNER:EN, MAFF, LOs * Produce an audit report and summary information for land owners on this habitat every five years by 2000 LEAD: ALL [no information currently available] |
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