Coastal grazing marsh - summary

The key element causing change is the degree of intensification of agricultural use of the grazing marsh. Three states have been identified, having relevance to any restoration strategy for this habitat, namely:

• State 1 - Low intensity, traditional management;
• State 2 - 'Improved' grazing, extended grazing regimes;
• State 3 - Intensive agriculture, usually for arable crops.

State values

The highest nature conservation interest is normally associated with State 1 values. These progressively diminish as agricultural use intensifies taking the system from intermediate values associated with State 2 values to the limited interests of State 3 values.