State 2 Intensive grazing - coastal grazing marsh

Fertiliser application and extended grazing periods coupled with increased stock levels, help to create more intensive agricultural systems. In this state the grassland will be generally lower and less structurally diverse. Water levels are maintained at lower levels than on traditionally grazed marshes by improved drainage. They will be below the soil level in both summer and winter. Whilst they may be higher or maintained at winter levels (to increase the growth of grasses) they will still be below rather than above the the soil surface.

Caption: Rhomney Marsh, Kent. Sheep-grazed coastal grazing marsh. Relatively high sheep densities are maintained by fertiliser application. Note the 'relatively' uniform topography associated with leveling of the ground surface.

The appearance of the land will tend towards uniformity as creek beds are filled in and irregularities in the surface topography are removed. Increasing fertiliser use and stock densities cause eutrophication of the drainage ditches which can become choked with algae and other vigorous species. Overall the value of the habitat is diminished (though not destroyed as is the case with State 3 marshes) when compared to low intensity traditional grazing marsh (State 1).