| Coastal Floodplain & Grazing Marsh- Sedgemoor |
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| Extent/Distribution Regional estimates for the extent of coastal and floodplain grazing marsh have been based on national estimates for lowland wet grassland. These figures suggest the total area for Somerset is about 41,000 ha (14% of the UK total). At the district scale it has been possible to refine this methodology to base estimates on the total floodable area. The likely extent of flooding after a 100 year inland flood event and 200 year marine flood event were digitised to give a total floodable area in Sedgemoor of 9,210 ha. The area of land not under grassland, such as arable, urban and woodland, was subtracted from this total to give a maximum potential area for grazing marsh. The total area for coastal and floodplain grazing marsh in Sedgemoor using this methodology is therefore 6,755 ha. This figure should be treated as a maximum for this habitat, as it is not possible to state that all the grassland within the area floods periodically. [Table of breakdown available from LBAP] A large proportion of potential floodplain grazing marsh lies within the Levels and Moors ESA (4420 ha in total), much of which is designated as SSSI. To the north east of the district large areas of Cheddar Moor contain this habitat as well as the moors of Tealham and Tadham, Chilton, Edington and Catcott; further south. There are extensive areas of potential grazing marsh south of the Poldens. This block includes Lang Moor to King's Sedge Moor as well as Langmead, Weston and North Moors. A further 765 ha is found outside the ESA scheme. This is largely located around South Moor, Chedzoy and West Moor. Areas of undeveloped land at Bridgwater may also contain floodplain grazing marsh, including the Meads (a "green corridor" within the built environment of Bridgwater). The extent of potential coastal grazing marsh is restricted to the large flat expanse either side of the mouth of the river Parret. To the west of the river this includes the grasslands around Steart and to the east Pawlett Hams, Pawlett Level and the flat areas north of the Huntspill river. The likely easterly limit of coastal grazing marsh is restricted by the M5 motorway which acts as a flood barrier.
OBJECTIVE 1 Maintain the existing habitat extent and quality (6,755 ha) TARGET: Ongoing OBJECTIVE 2 Rehabilitate grazing marsh habitat that is intensively managed (1395 ha) TARGET: 2003 (Within the Levels and Moors ESA) (1242 ha) (Outside the ESA) (153 ha) OBJECTIVE 3 Begin creating grazing marsh from arable land in targeted areas (155 ha) TARGET:2003 (Within the Levels and Moors ESA) (122 ha) (Outside the ESA) (33 ha) OBJECTIVE 4 Secure sympathetic management of all rivers, drains, rhynes and ditches TARGET:Ongoing OBJECTIVE 5 Restore more natural courses for selected stretches TARGET: Ongoing [see above]
Policy and legislation Devise a cross organisational strategy to address the issues relating to the implementation of this action plan. ACTION: SDC, EA, EN, MAFF, LAMP, RDEnsure areas of grazing marsh, including the waterway infrastructure, are considered in any regional planning documents and within the planning process. ACTION: SDC, SCC, EA Resist any detrimental developments in the same water management block as SSSI and CWS that contain grazing marsh. ACTION: SDC, SCC, EA Ensure that appropriate management for grazing marsh is incorporated in all Water Level Management Plans. ACTION: EA Management
Consider extending CWS status to any newly identified grazing marsh supporting important biodiversity. ACTION: SERC Encourage the enhanced management of grazing marsh by promoting the uptake of at least two of the management aims outlined in this plan. ACTION: FWAG, WSLO, EN, MAFF Encourage the targeted removal of secondary woodlands of low conservation value from wet areas. ACTION: EA, SWT, EN, FA Restore more natural water courses for selected stretches. Target stretches that do not compromise the overall integrity of the wet grassland habitats. ACTION: EA, EN, IDB Ensure the uptake of appropriate ditch cleaning regimes to maximise their biodiversity potential. ACTION: EA, IDB Continue to give guidance that enables the enhanced management of grazing marsh, both within and outside of the ESA. ACTION: MAFF, EN, WSLO, FWAG, EA Research and monitoring
Devise and implement a survey programme in order to further refine the known extent and quality of grazing marsh, within and outside of the ESA. ACTION: SDC, SERC, MAFF, EN, FRCA Implement a ditch survey programme to determine the extent of high quality waterways within the grazing marsh habitat area. ACTION: SDC, SERC, EN, ADAS Collate the results of these programmes in order to determine the rate of success in achieving the action plan targets. ACTION: SDC, SERC, EN, ADAS Education and awareness raising
Publicise the importance of this habitat for biodiversity by emphasising the value of the habitat within Sedgemoor in a local and national context. ACTION: EN, SDC Raise awareness of the importance of the improved grasslands within the grazing marsh resource. These areas may not be as botanically interesting as the unimproved fields, but they do provide essential feeding grounds for wintering wildfowl. ACTION: RSPB, EN [no information currently available] |
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