| Fresh Water Reedbeds - Devon |
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| Extent/Distribution In Devon there are two fresh water reedbeds over 10 hectares in size, at Slapton Ley and South Milton Ley. Other large areas are brackish, being found in estuaries, but are not dealt with in this plan. It is estimated that there are c.100 hectares of the habitat (on sites greater that 5 hectares) in the county, which represents 17% of the regions’ resource and 12% of the UK area of c. 5,000 hectares. Poor water quality and siltation associated with agricultural run-off. Slapton Ley Devon’s largest fresh water reedbed is fed by water from water courses that are enriched by an arable catchment. This has led to eutrophication and sediment build up in the Ley, causing concern that its biological and wildlife value is being impaired. This will lead to the eventual disappearance of the reedbed if unchecked. The reedbed suffers from a combination of complex problems. Lack of management following the cessation of traditional management practices can allow natural succession to carr scrub and woodland Inappropriate water level management can lead to over drying of the reedbed, encouraging willow succession which if unchecked will rapidly spread and increase the drying out of the habitat. Small areas of this habitat do not support the wildlife species for which they are critical. For many bird species areas greater than 20 hectares are required. Small isolated pockets will not support long term viable populations of many other species. Objective 1 To ensure the survival of all reedbeds over 0.5 hectares Targets: Maintain area and quality of existing reedbeds. Ongoing Objective 2 Targets:By 2000 Objective 3 Create new reedbed on land of low nature conservation importance Targets: Create 40 hectares of new reedbed, in blocks of at least 20 hectares, by 2010 Objective 4 Targets:Create a further 20 hectares on small sites across the county by 2010 [see above] [no information currently available] Policy and legislation Extend the Habitat Scheme (Water Fringe option) to other areas of the county to encompass river valley and wetland habitats that would benefit from water level management, that are of at least CWS standard. LEAD:MAFF/FRCA[TARGET 2010] Encourage the development of both sympathetic water abstraction policies and of appropriate coastal zone management plans in order to protect existing reedbeds. LEAD:EA, LAs, Estuary managers PARTNERS:SWWSL [TARGET 2010] Management
Ensure LEAPs protect existing reedbeds >10 hectares and others with species of conservation concern. LEAD: EA PARTNERS : LAs [TARGET 2010] Implement the CS incentive scheme that is available for reedbed management agreements by 2000. LEAD:MAFF/FRCA, EN [TARGET 2010] Ensure all sites >0.5 ha are identified as CWS and identified in Local Plans by 1998. LEAD: DWT PARTNERS: LAs [TARGET 2010] Ensure that development schemes do not affect the integrity or conservation interest of reedbeds > 0.5 ha. LEAD:LAs [TARGET 2010] Prepare and implement water level management plans for all sites >10 ha by the year 2000. LEAD: EA, IDBs, LAs PARTNERS: EN, MAFF{TARGET 2000] Ensure local BAPs identify areas for reedbed creation on land of low nature conservation interest. LAs DWT, RSPB [TARGET 2010] Encourage the creation of 40 hectares of reed bed on sites >10 ha, using incentive schemes, on targeted land of low existing nature conservation interest. LEAD:RSPB, DWT PARTNERS: LAs, EA, EN, MAFF [ TARGET 2010] Encourage the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, the Habitat Scheme (Water Fringe option) and other incentive schemes to make them more effective at reducing water quality impacts on sites >10 ha or others with species of conservation concern. LEAD: MAFF/FRCA [TARGET 1999] Advisory Ensure the conservation management of reed beds by providing up to date advice to owver. LEAD: RSPB, D WT PARTNERS:EN, EA, Local Authorities [TARGET 2010] Advise on the economic benefits of reed bed management as well as the wildlife value. LEAD: RSPB, EA PARTNERS: LAs, EN TARGET: 2010. Promote and advise on the use of reedbeds for pollutant/sewage effluent treatment. Ensure this takes into account and mitigates against potential contamination of wildlife species such as colonising eels and their predators such as otters. LEAD: EA, SWWSL, HA [TARGET 2010] Research
and monitoring
Encourage research on heavy metal accumulation in reed beds fed by contaminated water, and availability and impacts of pollutants to wildlife species such as eels. LEAD: EA, HA, SWWSL PARTNERS: RSPB, DWT [TARGET: 2010] Encourage appropriate survey and research to identify priority sites by 1999. LEAD:DWT PARTNERS RSPB, EN {TARGET:1999] Education
and awareness raising
Provide and publicise material to promote the importance of reed
beds and their conservation. Contribute to national initiatives to enhance the market for UK reed. RSPB LAs, DWT [TARGET 2010]. no information currently available |
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