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Results
A MASSIVE 10KM of RIVER
RESTORED!
A total of 10 kilometres of rivers have been
restored in the New Forest between 2003 - 05, concentrating
on the upper reaches of the Lymington river – the Black
Water and the Highland Water.
Techniques used, included the re-connection of old meanders,
using clay plugs to block off former; straightened channels,
and the raising of river bed levels to reverse past over-deepening
and reduce headword erosion.
In addition, large woody structures (debris dams or engineered
log jams) were created to reduce flow rates and encourage
seasonal flooding.
Re-instatement of the natural meanders has
seen river length increase by as much as 40%. Slowing the
flow and raising the riverbed (in places by over one metre)
means that now, at times of intense rainfall, the water will
spill over onto the surrounding area, the river’s original
natural floodplain. Reactivating the rivers ensures they can
perform as they would do naturally. This in turn will help
to recreate the wetland habitats which had all but dried up
as a result of historic drainage practices.
The Environment Agency (EA) played a key part in reversing
the effects of these historic drainage works. Natural conditions
have been restored by replacing much of the material which
had been washed away. The EA’s operational team used
three excavators and two dumper trucks to scrape out the original
channels, introduce new material to raise bed level, in-fill
the drainage channels and transport materials around site.
Over 50 staff were involved from monitoring water levels and
engineering, to examining populations of macro-invertebrates
and fish.
This important work has breathed new life
into the rivers and the wildlife populations that depend upon
them.
RARE RIVERINE
and BOGWOODLAND RESTORATION
The New Forest is considered to be one of
the best areas in the UK for riverine woodland and bog woodland.
In the lowlands of Britain and Europe, intensive
agriculture and flood control, combined with woodland clearance,
have reduced these habitats to small, fragmented areas. Since
both habitats are rare and restricted, they have priority
conservation status at a European level.
Riverine woodlands grow on the wet, relatively
fertile floodplain soils found along Forest streams, which
flood seasonally as water levels rise. Their mixture of alder,
willow, field maple, ash and oak trees support a rich and
diverse ground flora. A total of 261 ha of riverine woodland
has been restored, or conditions created in which it will
re-colonise over the next 50-100 years.
The LIFE3 project restored areas of habitat
by coppicing and pollarding holly and by pollarding ash, beech
and oak trees, letting in more light to encourage natural
regeneration and benefit wildflowers and lichens.
Exotic, invasive species were removed to prevent their further
spread. At Waters Copse, new hedges were planted using native
broad-leaved shrubs, and fencing was erected to protect them
from deer. Within the Inclosures, large areas of conifers
were removed from the floodplain to create the right conditions
for further regeneration. A recent example of this was at
Knightwood where 75 ha of spruce was cleared from the streamside.
Bog woodland occurs on peat in which bog
species make up a significant part of the ground flora. Only
small areas are left along forest streams. A total of 18 ha
were restored, or suitable conditions created in which it
will regenerate, mainly by the removal of conifers. This can
be seen along the Dockens Water at Newlands Plantation. Re-alignment
of fencing has allowed the introduction of light grazing by
Commoners’ livestock, to prevent the dominance of rough
grasses and bracken following the removal of plantation conifers.
VALLEY MIRE
AND WET GRASSLAND
RESTORATION!
With the New Forest containing around 75% of NW Europe’s
valley mires, they are an important part of the Forest landscape.
These valley mires form where peat accumulates
under waterlogged conditions. Mires are rich in plant species,
which include sphagnum mosses, sundews, cotton grass and orchids.
Through the infilling of drains with heather bales and bank
spoil to stop headward erosion and raise water levels, and
the clearance of invading scrub, LIFE3 has restored a total
of 184 ha of mire.
The work, mainly undertaken by the Forestry Commission, was
exposed to extensive consultation with the Commoners and the
Verderers of the New Forest. One of the latest sites to be
restored was Wilverley Bog, where 21 ha of invading Scots
pine was removed.
The New Forest wet grasslands, known locally
as “Lawns” are found on poorly drained clays which
seasonally flood. They are an important part of the Forest
landscape, providing rich grazing for commoning stock and
supporting unique and rare species of plants.
The LIFE 3 project has restored 141 ha of wet grassland through
the clearance of encroaching scrub, and indirectly through
the river channel restoration work. A new example can be seen
at Millyford Lawn, where birch, pine and willow have been
felled to halt the loss of the wet grassland.
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