Hydro-ecology

What can go wrong in biodiversity conservation

So, now your have your wetland, nicely secure and free from development or external pressure - but is it?

Development in the vicinity can lead to havoc on your nature reserve. Not only pressure from people and their cats and dogs, but from nutrient enrichment off land drains and subsurface seepage leading unseen to your reserve. Oils, calcium, nutrients and many toxic substances can have either a slow unseen insidious effect leading to gradual degradation, or a sudden devastating effect.

Natural succession of vegetation and silting of watercourses means that if wetland is be sustained, it must be managed. Management must also be carefully arranged to ensure that it is the target species and habitats that are managed.

Firstly, be aware of the National and Local Biodiversity Action Plan species that occur on your site and manage for the most critical species that you have.

Secondly, devise an appropriate but flexible management plan. Management plans should alter according to experience and should be subject to periodic review. If your management is not working, is too complex, or is leading to adverse effects, change it on the basis of new knowledge.

Thirdly, prior to undertaking the management assess your baseline habitats and species. Then regularly monitor key species to check that your management is on line to support your biodiversity targets. Without monitoring you will not know whether your management is successful.

Fourthly, record your management operations, target wildlife and successes so that those that come after you can continue your good work without having to start all over again.

Finally, tell everybody what you are doing. You will need the support of your community, your planning authority and possibly of the police. Let them know what you are doing and ensure that their plans, projects and policies support what you are trying to achieve. You may then gain their support and avoid much trouble in the future.