Wetland Nature Reserve
Global freshwater biodiversity is declining at twice the rate of oceans and forests, and freshwater ecosystems are the most degraded in the world, making it a priority habitat for restoration.
Wetland Nature Reserve
- Location: Devon, UK
- Site Area: 1.4 hectares
- Habitat Type: Purple moor grass pasture & wetland
- Key Species: Dragonflies, amphibians, willow tit
- Number of Trees: 5,000
- Project Focus: Biodiversity
- Biodiversity Net Gain: TBC
Why is this habitat under threat?
In the UK we have lost over 90% of our wetland habitats and our remaining freshwater resources are in a poor state due to pollution from agricultural runoff, poor hydrological management, and invasive species.
Culm pasture, or purple moor grass pasture, has declined by 92% since 1900 and is a priority habitat in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
Which species will benefit from the habitat restoration?
A wide range of species will benefit from this wetland area including threatened great-crested newts and other amphibians, aquatic invertebrates, dragonflies, rare bird species such as willow tits, and the meadow will provide a rich nectar source for pollinators such as bees and butterflies, and a food source for the caterpillars of rare marsh fritillary butterflies.
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Site History
This site was marginal rushy grazing pasture with low diversity hedgerows. It is in the North Devon Biosphere Reserve and falls in the priority area for brown hairstreak butterfly conservation. The site is just north of Dartmoor and has great potential for increasing hedgerow and pasture diversity. We are also working in adjacent fields to reconnect fragmented broadleaved woodland patches, creating a contiguous woodland area, rich in lichens and mosses from existing veteran trees.
Habitat restoration details
We will be creating a 0.3 hectare pond with surrounding reeds and restoring a purple moor grass (culm) meadow, rich in rare wildflowers including devil’s bit scabious and ragged robin.
The meadow will be interspersed with patches of wetland specialist woodland planting including willows and black poplar. We will work to diversify the hedge line by incorporating oaks and fruit bearing tree species such as crab apple and wild pear. Our management scheme for the hedges will avoid flailing to improve the habitat for brown hairstreak butterflies.
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