Reedbeds - SW
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Devon

Gloucestershire

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Key factors
Glossary  

 SW Resource Breakdown:2

County SW Resource
Avon 7%
Cornwall 25%
Devon 17%
Dorset 47%
Glouc. 2%
Somerset 5%
Wilts. 1%

1Action for biodiversity
in the South West (1997)

2SW Biodiversity Audit (1996)


Current Status in the SW

Definition1

An Area dominated but not necessarily composed purely of common reed Phragmites australis. Includes areas of reed which are both wet and dry at their base.

Current Extent1

In the South West this resource covers some 600 ha which is about 12% of the UK Area (c5,000 ha). The actual extent of this resource in the region is likely to be much more as in some counties areas under 5 ha have not been recorded. There are 55 sites greater than 20 ha in Britain of which five are found in the South West and account for 170 ha or 37% of the regional total.

Examples of important sites in the South West1

  • Chew Valley (Avon)
  • Marazion Marsh (Cornwall)
  • Slapton Ley (Devon)
  • Lodmoor and Radipole Lake (Dorset)
  • Poole Harbour Reedbeds (Dorset)
  • Berrow Dunes (Somerset)
  • Brue Valley (Somerset)
  • Westhay Moor (Somerset)

Habitat Loss1

Estimates of habitat loss suggest typically 5-10% by area over the last 15-20 years

Associated Species1

Mammals

  • Water Vole

Birds

  • Marsh Harrier
  • Water Rail
  • Cetti's Warbler
  • Reed Warbler
  • Bearded Tit
  • Bittern
  • Aquatic Warbler

Invertebrates9

  • Reed Leopard (Moth)
  • Dotted Footman (Moth)
  • Web's Wainscot (Moth)
  • Desmoulin's Snail

Current factors affecting the habitat in the SW

The commonest current factors affecting the 14 sites over 10 ha in the region are:

  • Lack of biological information.
  • Poor water quality associated with agricultural run-off.
  • Inappropriate water level management.
  • Lack of management leading to succession.

UK biodiversity objectives and proposed targets

Identify and rehabilitate (by year 2000) the priority areas of existing reedbeds and maintain by active management (to provide optimum conditions for recolonising bitterns and other reedbed species). to be targeted primarily in the South East of England

Create 1,200 ha of new reedbed nationally on land of low nature conservation interest by 2010. Creation should be:
in blocks of at least 20 ha;
near existing habitat;
linking to existing habitat.

The particular emphasis towards the SE in the UK Plan is derived from a strategic understanding that the major East Anglian reedbed resource is threatened by sea level rise, and that to replace predicted losses and best build upon existing resources (e.g., bitterns), replacement should be close to East Anglia.

South-west biodiversity objectives and proposed targets

OBJECTIVE 1

Ensure survival of all reedbeds above 0.5 ha

TARGET: Ongoing

This is a rare habitat, a national inventory exercise has identified the resource focusing on sites above 0.5 ha. It is important that this resource does not diminish further

OBJECTIVE 2

Ensure that all sites above 10 ha are managed primarily for their nature conservation interest

TARGET: By 2002

To ensure that key sites are beneficially managed i.e. all those greater than 10 ha. This includes those sites that are worked commercially to ensure that management is compatible with the long term maintenance of their nature conservation interest.


OBJECTIVE 3

Ensure sites of less than 10 ha are managed for key species of conservation concern

TARGET: by 2002

Birds, moths and mammals are likely to provide the majority of species of conservation concern dependent upon this habitat. Management should focus on those sites of <10 ha which are important for any such 'key' species.


OBJECTIVE 4

Create 500 ha of new large reedbeds on land of low nature conservation importance (in blocks of at least 20 ha and near to existing wetland habitat)

TARGET: by 2010

This target is based on action in progress or proposed in two major initiatives: the Avalon Marshes (Somerset) where c300 ha of reedbed is currently being created, and the Cotswold Water Park (Gloucestershire/Wiltshire) where a major wetland creation scheme is in train and is assumed here to create up to 100 ha of new reedbed. This leaves a further target of 100 ha as large sites to be created across the region


OBJECTIVE 5

Create an additional 100 ha of small sites (up to 20 ha) giving priority to areas near existing reedbed and wetland systems.

TARGET: by 2010

Smaller sites can be of importance and opportunities for their creation may be more easily available. Their creation would be most beneficial near to existing wetland habitats.

 


Current Action

A major programme (up to 500 ha ) of reedbed creation is underway in the Avalon Marshes, Somerset. MAFF has recently agreed a Countryside Stewardship target for the area.

The Cotswold Water Park BAP proposes a target to create three large reedbeds (10-20 ha) by 2020, one of which will be created by 2005.

Of the 14 large sites in the region, all but one (Huntworth Brick Pits) are designated as SSSIs, and most are under sympathetic ownership and management (e.g. the RSPB nature reserves). Several Sites are in receipt of Countryside Stewardship agreements.

Coastal retreat and saltmarsh creation opportunities are beginning to identify areas for gain.
Policy and legislation

none

Management


Prepare and agree a strategy for the creation of large reedbeds (20 ha+), identifying locations (-'97)

LEAD: RSPB
PARTNERS WTs, EA

Ensure a funding scheme is available for large reedbed creation schemes (-'97)

LEAD: MAFF EN

Ensure that an incentive scheme is in place for priority sites <10 ha in size (-'97)

LEAD: MAFF, EN


Ensure that all >0.5 ha are identified as County Wildlife Sites and identified in development plans (-'97)

LEAD: WTs


Ensure that development schemes do no affect the integrity or the conservation of reedbeds >0.5 ha (ongoing)

LEAD: Las


Ensure that an incentive scheme is available for management of sites > 10 ha ('97)

LEAD: MAFF, EN

Prepare and implement water level management plans for all non-tidal sites >10 ha ('97-'00)

LEAD: EA, IDBs, LAs
PARTNERS: EN, MAFF

Ensure targeted ELMs (e.g. Water Fringe Options) are more effective at reducing water quality impacts (agri-run off, silt loads) on sites > 10 ha and other 'priority' sites ('97-'98)

LEAD: MAFF, EN

Ensure that SMPs, CZM initiatives and LEAPs protect existing >10 ha and other priority reedbeds ('97-'99)

LEAD: EA, LAs


Ensure Local BAPs identify targets and areas for creation of large and especially numerous small reedbeds (-'97-'99)

LEAD: WTs, LAs, ERCs, RSPB


Advisory

Ensure that owners/managers of sites > 10 ha receive management advice ('97- ongoing)

LEAD: WTs, RSPB
PARTNER: EN


Offer advice to farmers/landowners seeking to reduce impacts of land use regimes on sites > 10 ha and other 'priority' sites ('98 - )

LEAD: FWAG, ADAS
PARTNER: WTs

Ensure owners/managers of 'priority' sites <10 ha in size are offered management advice ('99 -)

LEAD: WTs, RSPB
PARTNER: EN



Research and monitoring

Encourage appropriate survey and research (target species of conservation concern) to further define priority sites and key features ('97-'99)

LEAD: WTs, EA
PARTNERS: RSPB, EN

Define appropriate water quality standards and establish a monitoring regime (-'00)
LEAD: WTs, EA
PARTNERS: RSPB, EN



Education and awareness raising


Promote the importance of reedbeds and their conservation ('97-)

LEAD EN, WTs, LAs
PARTNERS: LAs

Contribute to national initiatives/campaigns to enhance the market for UK reed (-97)

LEAD EN, WTs, LAs
PARTNERS: LAs

Benefits

  • Thatching
  • Multi-purpose wetland functioning
  • Nutrient stripping
  • Fisheries
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