Wet Woodland
Habitat Description
Wet woodlands occur on poorly drained or seasonally wet soils, usually with alder, birch and willows as the predominant tree species. It is found on floodplains, as successional habitat on fens and bogs, around water bodies and along stream and hillside flushes. Boundaries with dry land woodland may be sharp or gradual and can change over time though natural succession or as a result of human influence.
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There are 7 NVC wet woodland communities:
W1 Grey sallow marsh bedstraw woodland W2 Grey sallow Downy birch reed woodland W3 Bay willow bottle sedge woodland W4 Downy birch purple moor grass woodland W5 Alder tussock sedge woodland W6 Alder nettle woodland W7 Alder ash yellow pimpernel woodland |
Wet woodland has a canopy usually dominated by willow (Salix sp.), alder(Alnus glutinosa) or birch (Betula sp.) but stands vary considerably in their overall appearance. Riverside trees are also included, and are individuals that line the riverbanks throughout the county. These are important landscape features as well as supporting a wide range of invertebrates and other species.
Current UK Status and Trends
Total UK extent is approximated at 52,850 ha.
Wet woodlands are a scarce and easily damaged habitat.
Estimated Current Northants Resource
A number of wet flushes are present in ancient semi-natural woodland, but total extent is unknown.
Progress Towards BAP Targets 2002-2007
Unknown
Lead Partner
The Wildlife Trust
Main Issues and Threats
General Strategy
Associated National Priority Species
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Species |
Northamptonshire Status |
Management Prescriptions |
Key Sites |
Willow tit |
Breeding |
Maintain standing deadwood, particularly rotting stumps of willow, birch, and alder. Scrub required nearby. |
Kings Wood Local Nature Reserve. |
Targets
Target Code |
Target Type |
Target Description |
Target Units |
Northants Baseline Resource |
Target |
By |
Unit Cost £ |
Total Cost £ |
NOR_WWO_T1 |
Maintain Extent |
Maintain the current extent of at least LWS-standard wet woodland. |
Hectares |
33 |
33 |
2015 |
75/ha/yr |
2,475/yr |
NOR_WWO_T2 |
Achieving Condition |
Achieve LWS standard of 5 ha of currently non-LWS wet woodland by 2015. |
Hectares |
33 |
38 |
2015 |
75/ha/yr |
375/yr |
NOR_WWO_T3 |
Expansion |
Establish 10 ha of LWS-standard wet woodland on non-wooded or plantation sites by 2015. |
Hectares |
0 |
6 |
2015 |
1,500/ha + 200/ha/yr for 10 yrs |
9,000 initial + 1,200/yr |
Actions
Action Code |
Action Description |
Lead Partner |
Support Partner(s) |
Related Target |
NOR_WWO_HS_A1 |
Ensure that existing wet woodland within designated sites is maintained in good condition through the control of water levels. |
The Wildlife Trust , Natural England, Northamptonshire Biodiversity Partnership |
Anglian Water, Severn Trent Water, Environment Agency |
NOR_WWO_T1 |
NOR_WWO_SU_A2 |
Identify the location of all wet woodland outside of designated sites by 2012. |
The Wildlife Trust |
NBRC |
NOR_WWO_T2 |
NOR_WWO_HS_A3 |
Provide management advice and incentives (through agri-environment schemes) to owners of wet woodland outside of designated sites in order that 5 ha achieves LWS condition by 2015. |
Natural England |
Northamptonshire Biodiversity Partnership |
NOR_WWO_T2 |
NOR_WWO_HC_A4 |
Create 2 ha of wet woodland at Pitsford Reservoir and other nature reserves by 2012. |
The Wildlife Trust |
Anglian Water |
NOR_WWO_T3 |
NOR_WWO_HC_A5 |
Create 2 ha of wet woodland through succession from open water bodies in the Nene Valley by 2015. |
Natural England |
The Wildlife Trust |
NOR_WWO_T3 |
NOR_WWO_HC_A6 |
Create 2 ha of wet woodland through conditions on planning applications by 2015. |
Developers, Local Authorities, WNDC, NNDC |
The Wildlife Trust |
NOR_WWO_T3 |