Grazing marsh is defined as periodically inundated pasture, or meadow with ditches that maintain the water levels, containing standing fresh water. The ditches are especially rich in plants and invertebrates. Almost all areas are grazed and some are cut for hay or silage. Sites may contain seasonal water-filled hollows and permanent ponds with emergent swamp communities. In Northamptonshire it includes the following NVC communities:
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Inundation Grasslands MG9-13 grasslands
Inundation grasslands occur on poorly structured clay soils that flood in winter and spring, but do not then readily drain. As such, plant species present have to contend with water-logging in early summer and then drought conditions as the soil gradually dries out. Example: Plumpton Pasture SSSI.
Current UK Status and Trends
Floodplain grazing marsh has declined significantly. In England and Wales the remaining wet grassland covers an area of approximately 220,000ha from a historical resource of 1.2 million ha. Losses over the last 60 years are typically 30-60% by area.
Estimated Current Northants Resource
15.25 ha of 'Wet Marsh' adjacent to rivers have been recorded in Local Wildlife Sites. 259 ha of floodplain grazing marsh, of all levels of quality, were reported in 2002.
Progress Towards BAP Targets 2002-2007
Negotiations are under way to create areas of floodplain grazing marsh in the Earls Barton West area, as part of a wider wetland mosaic, following proposed aggregate extraction. Since 2004, some areas of former arable or intensive grassland have been reverted to more natural floodplain grassland under the Environmental Stewardship Scheme.
Lead Partner
RSPB
Main Issues and Threats
General Strategy
Additional Information
Poor condition BAP habitat: Hydrological regime in place but site inappropriately managed i.e. water levels too low, insufficient or no wet surface features or flooding, inappropriate sward condition, incorrect hedge height, excessive scrub cover.
Example of relict habitat: Hydrological regime no longer in place but typical physical features of FPGM present e.g. ditches reflecting land that has previously and more recently been managed as wet grassland and also reflected in either the existing land use and / or botanical communities present e.g. intensively cultivated drained land.
Habitat for new FPGM creation: Generally agricultural land with no typical physical features of FPGM present reflecting land that has not recently been managed as wet grassland and also reflected in either the existing land use and / or botanical communities present e.g. intensively cultivated drained land.
Associated National Priority Species
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Species |
Northamptonshire Status |
Management Prescriptions |
Key Sites |
Flat sedge |
Very rare |
Marshy fields should be cut for hay and the aftermath grazed. |
Bulwick, Wansford |
Northern lapwing |
Breeding |
Maintain short vegetation structure of open aspect, with numerous flooded shallow scrapes/grips. |
Wadenhoe, Earls Barton Gravel Pit, Brampton Valley. |
Pennyroyal |
Very rare |
Requires short turf in areas disturbed by grazing, trampling or vehicles. |
Abington Meadows CWSs. |
Targets
Target Code |
Target Type |
Target Description |
Target Units |
Northants Baseline Resource |
Target |
By |
Unit Cost £ |
Total Cost £ |
NOR_FGM_T1 |
Maintain Extent |
Maintain the current extent of BAP-defined Floodplain Grazing Marsh (no loss of BAP habitat). |
Hectares |
259 |
No Loss |
2015 |
200/ha/yr |
51,800/yr |
NOR_FGM_T2 |
Achieving Condition |
Maintain the condition of FPGM habitat where already LWS standard and establish by 2015, management to reach LWS standard for 5 ha of grazing marsh currently not classed as LWS. |
Hectares |
15.25 |
20.25 |
2015 |
200/ha/yr |
1,000 initial + 1,000/yr |
NOR_FGM_T3 |
Restoration |
Restore 5 ha of relict Floodplain Grazing Marsh from degraded sites no longer meeting BAP definition (e.g. agriculturally improved or with poor hydrological regime) by 2015. |
Hectares |
0 |
5 |
2015 |
1280/ha |
6,400 initial |
NOR_FGM_T4 |
Expansion |
Establish 5 ha of BAP-defined Floodplain Grazing Marsh (which is capable of supporting a diverse range of invertebrates, mammals and breeding waders) from arable land by 2015. |
Hectares |
0 |
5 |
2015 |
1,280/ha + 315/ha/yr |
6,480 initial + 1,575/yr |
Actions
Action Code |
Action Description |
Lead Partner |
Support Partner(s) |
Related Target |
NOR_FGM_SU_A1 |
Identify the current extent of BAP-defined FGM by 2010. |
NBRC |
NBP |
NOR_FGM_T1 |
NOR_FGM_CA_A2 |
Provide management advice to landowners of current FGM sites to maintain condition by 2012. |
The Wildlife Trust |
NBP |
NOR_FGM_T1 |
NOR_FGM_SP_A3 |
Respond to all planning applications and other proposals subject to a consenting scheme where these have the potential to damage or destroy the features of interest of FGM designated as LWS or SSSI. |
The Wildlife Trust |
RSPB |
NOR_FGM_T1 |
NOR_FGM_CA_A4 |
By 2015 establish management to reach LWS standard on 5 ha of FGM in the Nene Valley currently not classed as LWS. |
The Wildlife Trust |
NOR_FGM_T2 | |
NOR_FGM_HC_A5 |
Restore 5 ha of relict FGM from degraded sites no longer meeting BAP definition (e.g. agriculturally improved or with poor hydrological regime) by 2015. |
The Wildlife Trust |
Natural England |
NOR_FGM_T3 |
NOR_FGM_HC_A6 |
Help landowners and mineral companies establish 10 ha of BAP-defined FGM from arable land in the Earls Barton West area by 2015, following restoration of sand and gravel quarries. |
RSPB |
The Wildlife Trust |
NOR_FGM_T4 |
NOR_FGM_CA_A7 |
Advise planning authorities, landowners and mineral companies on creating FGM as part of applications for mineral quarrying in the Earls Barton area, to contribute to an overall long term target beyond 2015 of c.100-200 hectares. |
RSPB |
The Wildlife Trust, Natural England , Environment Agency |
NOR_RBD_T3 |