Largest ever fen survey reveals importance of managing the Broads

The largest fen survey ever to have been undertaken in the UK has reinforced the importance of the Broads as a haven for rare wildlife and the need to protect and manage it carefully in the future. A total of 450 types of plants were recorded, some of which are unique to the Broads. This has prompted a rewrite of national plant classification to take account of Broadland’s newly found distinctiveness. The survey also unveiled 850 species of invertebrate, a remarkable number considering only certain groups were targeted. The vegetation survey covered 8,000 sample points within 1750 hectares across the five Broads river valleys. This is the nation’s biggest area of lowland fen or ‘wetland’. It was undertaken over three years by environmental consultants and managed by the Broads Authority. It was co-funded by the Broads Authority and Natural England with a contribution from Essex and Suffolk Water. The survey revealed that some of the most species rich fen had been restored and managed by the Broads Authority, Natural England, Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the RSPB. The richest areas were found in turf ponds, where shallow open water areas had been dug in open fen. These ponds were once dug for peat fuel but now these new cuttings provide home to the rarest species and remain wetter for longer in periods of drought. The work of the Authority, partners and reed cutters has been vital to keep the fens free of scrub. In areas where scrub has not been cut back the rare plant species and insects have been lost or changed.  The Ant Valley was found to be the richest area for both plants and invertebrates. The presence or absence of certain plants indicated that some fens are possibly becoming more saline and some areas being taken over by reed are losing rare wetland plants.
Sue Stephenson, the Environment Officer who managed the project at the Broads Authority, said: “This has been a colossal piece of work, which has been incredibly exciting and challenging to work on and which has provided an important picture of the condition of fens in the Broads. There is a lot of information to come out of it which will steer the management of the Broads for years to come, particularly in the light of climate change. The results prove our management efforts have been effective but more is still needed.” The survey also assessed how cutting vegetation would affect the mobility of invertebrates. Andrea Kelly, Senior Ecologist, said “The Broads fens contain unique invertebrate communities of aquatic and terrestrial beetles, spiders, two winged flies and hoppers that you wouldn’t normally notice.  We need to know more about the importance of annual fluctuations and seasonal variations in hydrology and tolerance of these species to change.” “The fen survey demonstrates that conservation management in the fens is essential to stop them becoming woodland and to retain their biodiversity. Worryingly, it shows that some areas are being neglected and incursions of saline water are an increasing risk. Further investment is required as well as a need to understand the options for improving water quality.” The Broads Authority is working with its partners to press for funding for more fen management, improving the water environment, connecting wetlands to improve wildlife chances to adapt to future change, and identifying how to adapt the fens and wetlands to rapid climate change.