The Fen Management Handbook

Fens are magical places where nature and centuries of human activity combine to produce a rich and ever-changing habitat. The United Kingdom supports a wide variety of different fen types, ranging from tiny fragments to extensive mosaics of wetland habitats at a landscape scale. Once highly valued for their products, their use within social and agricultural systems declined with the advent of intensive agriculture, drainage and mechanisation. Many remaining fens were abandoned and became dominated by unpalatable vegetation or invaded by scrub and trees.

Why have a handbook?

The Handbook highlights practical techniques but also provides the background science that underpins the different fen management techniques. The handbook is aimed at anyone involved in fen management, creation or restoration from a practical, policy or planning perspective.

FEN MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK

Single Report  (5.56MB)

1. Introduction and basic principles 

2. Fen flora and fauna 

3. Understanding fen hydrology 

4. Understanding fen nutrients 

5. Fen management and restoration 

6. Fen vegetation management 

7. Fen water management 

8. Managing fen nutrient enrichment 

9. Creating fen habitat 

10. Monitoring to inform fen management 

11. Fens and people 

12. Fens from an economic perspective 

Appendices 

Index 

Feedback

We are interested to know:

• what you think of the Fen Management Handbook
• any improvements we could make. 
• case studies of your experiences of fen management

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