21
Wetland Futures Report 2013: The Value of Healthy Wetlands
Floodplain meadows project: the multiple benefits
Professor David Gowing, Director of the Floodplain Meadow Partnership; Open University
E-mail:
Floodplain meadows are a precious shrinking resource.
They were once widespread across all floodplains in
England, but now cover less than 1500 ha in extent – in
fact the remnants could all fit into Heathrow airport! When
they were widespread, they delivered a wide array of
ecosystem services and their restoration therefore offers
multiple benefits. The
Floodplain Meadows Partnership
provides a central hub for information, advice and support
to all those involved in the conservation or restoration of
this threatened habitat.
Floodplains meadows are rich in diversity; plant
communities can reach 40 species m-2 (the richest UK
flora outside chalk grassland) and consequently supports
a wide assemblage of invertebrates (particularly weevils)
and ground nesting birds, such as skylark and redshank.
However, within our grandparents’ memory, these
same grasslands were vital parts of the rural economy,
producing up to 5 tonnes/ha of good quality hay each
year every year – a feat that could not be matched by
any other part of the landscape, prior to the arrival of
artificial fertiliser. The delivery of nutrients by floodwaters
sustained the fertility of these meadows, whereas the soil
of any other area would have quickly become exhausted.
The surviving fragments of meadow continue to produce
respectable yields providing they remain connected to
the river.
A third important ecosystem service they have always
provided is the storage of floodwaters, often taking
the peak off the flood curve and protecting areas
downstream. They also trap large quantities of sediment
on their surface, which would otherwise be deposited in
channels downstream where it might create a problem
and require dredging.
The list of services continues with the sequestration of
carbon in their deep alluvial soils. The deeper rooting
plants are particularly effective at storing carbon in
the long term. There are also cultural services such as
education (a meadow is the ideal venue for learning
plant identification), recreation in wide open spaces and
aesthetics (the tapestry of colour in a June meadow can
rarely be rivalled). The remaining sites are often well used
by the local populace, adding to their well-being and
appreciation of their environment.
The
Floodplain Meadows Partnership
was initiated
in 2007 and consists of eight partner organisations to
sustain the long-term monitoring of remaining sites, the
stewarding of a large database (over 18,000 botanical
samples) and the dissemination of information to
practitioners. The Partnership organises workshops,
training events and conferences and has created a
community amongst the practitioners involved in the
management of this habitat. It is perhaps a model for
those involved in conserving other habitats to emulate.
Meadow at Slimbridge
photo: Nick Cottrell
