Pressures on Reedbeds

Once widespread in lowland Britain, drainage has reduced the area of reedbed considerably. By 1980 there were only 109 reedbeds of more than 2ha in England and Wales (Bibby & Lunn 1982). This has helped to reduce the breeding populations of several rare birds which depend on reedbeds of greater than 20ha in size. A further survey of the UK in 1993 found only 6,500 hectares dispersed across 922 sites, with only 56 of these larger than 20ha.

Reedbed is a habitat where succession is rapid. Whilst this can lead to the development of a greater overall diversity of wildlife for some rarer species earlier stages of succession are important. The bittern is one such species and its conservation has led to several initiatives to restore and re-create reedbeds.

References

Bibby, C.J. & Lunn, J. 1982. Conservation of reedbeds and their Avifauna in England and Wales. Biological Conservation, 23., 167-186.