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Reedbed creation for water quality, nature conservation
and fishery management (LIFE92 ENV/UK/000043)
Background: "The overall aim of this project is to demonstrate
the practical use of reedbed technology in improving the quality of the environment.
Two sites of conservation importance were identified for the demonstration.
The Somerset Levels and Moors (a nationally and internationally important coastal
wetland system) comprising large areas of unimproved grazing marsh which drain
into Bridgwater Bay, a Ramsar site and Special Protection Area. The Marais du
Cotentin et du Bessin is the most important peat grazing marsh in France, comprising
the valleys of the Vire, Douve, Aure and Taute which discharge into the Baie
des Veys, another Ramsar site and SPA." Taken from the LIFE Environment
Web Site accessible via http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/life/home.htm,
the Life Project's data base.
| Guidance: Reedbeds have been created which are now managed as functioning
wetlands. Useful lessons have been learnt about the planting and aftercare
of reed and recommendations made about species selection based on the existence
of different reed populations. The project shows the potential of large
reedbeds for water treatment and demonstrates their capacity to support
breeding fish populations and to provide a habitat for rare wetland birds. |
Comment: The project reports include "Reedbed
Construction Guidelines" which can be found on the county of
Somerset web site: @ http://somersetlevels.org.uk/
under the Levels. The project was completed in February 1997
Lead organisation: Somerset County Council - Department of the Environment,
County Hall, TA1 4DY, Taunton, Somerset.
Caveat: Information also available via the Life web site http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/life/home.htm.
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