Title: Evaluating the impact of groundwater abstraction on key conservation sites, final report : Yare Broads and marshes (Strumpshaw Fen)
Author: Environment Agency Anglian Region
Document Type: Monograph
Annotation: EA additional title info: reports for AMP3
Abstract:
Strumpshaw Fen and Common are part of the Yare Broads an Marshes SSSI. The site is located at TG 330 063 over the northern floodplain area of the River Yare, to the southeast of Brundall and to the south of Strumpshaw, about 10 km east of Norwich. An aerial photograph of the Fen taken in 1993 illustrates the main features of the site at the time. The site is very flat lying, located within the floodplain of the River Yare at elevations of between -1 and 1 m OD. The early history of the site is well documented by M Martin (1987). In summary, the area is thought to have been subjected to peat digging from 879 AD onwards. As the sea level continued to rise, the diggings became flooded to become what are known as the broads; the flood of 1287 probably brought deep peat diggings to an end. Subsequently, Strumpshaw. Broads silted up gradually and marginal vegetation encroached into the centre, eventually forming a reed swamp. Peat which formed as a result of the decay of reeds and other vegetation led to the surface level to progressively rise, and conditions to become drier. Colonisation by fen vegetation such as rush and carr followed, giving way gradually to alder carr with sallow and birch. As a result, the areas of open water became progressively smaller, as indicated by topographic maps dating back to 1846, 1881 and 1946, when open water was almost obliterated (Ellis, 1965). For this study The vegetation was surveyed as part of the Broadland Fen Resource Survey (Parmenter, 1995). Baseline ecological survey information is considered adequate for
present purposes, however, a water beetle survey would be of value, not only to establish the interest of this site, but also because this group would provide a potentially valuable one for monitoring purposes. Monitoring of the water quality of Lackford Run should be continued and a study should be made in order to assess whether it might be of a suitable quality for use in the short term for maintaining water levels in Strumpshaw Fen. In addition, monitoring of the River Yare and Strumpshaw Broad should continue.
Publisher: Environment Agency
Publication Date: 1998
Publication Place: Peterborough
Subject Keywords: Marshes; Fens; Environmental impact; Groundwater; Water abstraction; Nature conservation; Environmental management; Rainfall; Evaporation; Hydrogeology; Environmental monitoring; Water quality; Site of Special Scientific Interest
Geographic Keywords: Strumpshaw Fen; Upton Broad and Marshes; Norfolk
Extent: 35; + maps, figures, appendices
Permalink: http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/ealit:780
Total file downloads: 357
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