|
| Species |
| (s) = short list |
(m) = middle list |
(l) = long list |
|
- Particularly important for breeding waders:
Snipe (l)
Lapwing (l)
Curlew (l)
Redshank (l)
Teal (l)
Shoveler (l)
And over-wintering birds:
Bewick Swan (l)
Whooper Swan (l)
On flooded grasslands:
Wigeon (l)
Teal (l)
Mallard (l)
Golden Plover (l)
- High diversity of native plant species and invertebrates
|
|
Examples of action required when Key Habitat is close
to proposed mineral working site |
|
- Mineral extraction in vicinity of coastal and floodplain grazing marsh could threaten the habitat if dewatering regime affects seasonal water levels and inundation.
- Action to isolate the effects of lowering the groundwater is needed.
- No levels should be raised which would block flood waters or seasonal inundation.
|
|
| Opportunities during extraction |
|
Creation, for example, of ponds, wader scrapes and ditches could attract wildfowl during extraction, and before final restoration is completed.
|
|
| Opportunities for action before and after extraction |
|
- Extraction should only occur on areas downgraded by drainage, flood defence works, neglect, eutrophication, etc.
- Ensure: restoration to levels that can be seasonally inundated; no blocks in flood plain; traditional water meadow management.
- Could be difficult restoring soil structure in such conditions. Would possibly need dewatering regime until structure stabilised.
- Would be difficult also on land backfilled with imported materials – pollution hazard, etc.
- Most of these sites tend to end up restored to water areas: as a result, aggregates extraction is seen as one of the major threats, and a reason why such meadows have declined.
- There is potential for extending floodplains from areas previously above flood plain levels. For details of restoration requirements refer FS24 of Reclamation of damaged land for nature conservation, HMSO.
- The type of grassland that can be created depends on the soil type, climate, and drainage.
|
