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Wetland restoration: techniques for an integrated approach (previously BD0202) - BD0206
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Description
Following widespread degradation of wetlands due to agricultural intensification , the need to conserve and enhance their wildlife value has been recognised, and new opportunities for wetland restoration and creation have arisen, particularly in ESAs. However, the ability to establish successful wetland restoration or creation programmes in the UK has been constrained by lack of practical and scientific experience.
Phase I of a 3-phase study for MAFF on wetland restoration was completed in 1991. This study demonstrated potential for successful combination of agricultural and ecological objectives in enhancing and restoring the wildlife value of wetlands, but also highlighted a number of areas in which further field and experimental studies would be critical in developing suitable techniques. Phase II of the study established a rational for defining ecological objectives for wetlands, restoration programmes, and reviewed and technical and socio-economic factors which influence the ability to establish wetland restoration programmes. this proposal outlines a programme of work which will build on the findings of the first two phases of the project by investigating wetland restoration techniques in experimental situations. Studies in the field and in the `laboratory` are proposed which will supply some of the information necessary to establish effective wetland restoration on farmed land.
Objectives
1. To investigate scope for manipulation of water levels at the field scale.
2. To test the ecological (including both plants and birds) implications of changes in site-wetness
3. to test the effects of water table manipulation on selected wetland restoration management, providing options costed in relative terms.
4. To test the effects of water table manipulation on selected wetlad species, both alone and in combinations with one another.
5. To explore techniques for the establishment and subsequent management of wetland habitiats
6. To define criteria for the identification of appropriate site s for wetland conservation, rehabilitation creation on the basis of physical site factors, the distributions of selected target species (including plants and birds) and prevailing socio-economic factors.
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Objective
To investigate scope for manipulation of water levels at the
field scale. To test the ecological (including both plats
and birds) implications of changes in site-wetness to test
the effects of water table manipulation on selected wetland
restoration management, providing options costed in relative
terms.
To test the effects of water table manipulation on selected
wetland species, both alone and in combinations with one
another.
To explore techniques for the establishment and subsequent
management of wetland habitiats To define criteria for the
identification of appropriate sites for wetland
conservation, rehabilitation creation
on the basis of physical site factors, the distributions of
selected target species (including plants and birds)
and prevailing socio-economic factors.
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Time-Scale and Cost
From:
1993
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To:
1996
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Cost: £233,000 |
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Contractor / Funded Organisations
Natural Environment Research Council |
Keywords
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Fields of Study
Environmental Stewardship |
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