Coastal grazing marsh - ditch management

Traditional management of the drainage ditches (involving periodic cleaning) is a key to the maintenance of their hydrological operation and the flora and fauna. In addition, the type of ditch is important. A few key points which are relevant to considering the restoration and/or creation of ditches are summarised below.

Ditch structure, size and shape

• Sites with a good range of interconnected ditches provide opportunities for recolonisation of damaged or managed ditches;
• Sites with a system of large main drains and a network of smaller ones provide a range of opportunities for colonisation by different plants and animals;
• Gently sloping margins give optimum opportunities for the colonisation of a range of plants and associated invertebrates.

Ditch management

• Manage (excavate or cutting vegetation) from one side of the ditch at a time to allow re-colonisation from the opposite bank;
• Only manage a proportion of the ditches in any one site at any one time;
• Within the demands of the efficiency of water movement, use long rotations between management where possible;
• Grazing animals can help to keep some ditches clear, though avoid heavy trampling;
• Maintain high water levels in ditches where possible;
• Maintain salinity gradients;
• Avoid eutrophication.