How do I look after my wetland or wet grassland habitat?
By working collaboratively with landowners in the seven priority sub-catchments, the Herefordshire Natural Flood Management (NFM) project aims to use natural processes to slow the flow of water and reduce the flood risk to downstream communities.
The Herefordshire NFM Project aims to create/enhance a minimum of 7.04 ha of wetland and wet grassland across Herefordshire by 31 March 2027, with a view to exceed this.
The ambition is to create wetlands and wet grasslands, which after 25 years of good management practices would be considered to be in a 'good' condition, as defined by the Environment Agency (EA).
This guidance is intended for landowners participating in the Herefordshire NFM project who are creating or enhancing wetland and wet grassland habitats.
It provides practical, best practice advice to support the management of wetland and wet grassland in ways that enhance biodiversity and contribute to the restoration of Herefordshire's priority habitats, while aligning with the objectives of the project.
Disclaimer: It should be noted that this document represents our best understanding of current guidance. It has been created to offer suggestions for management techniques as habitat management is highly variable and dependent on the site and its features.
If you're receiving funding to create your wetland/wet grassland, please ensure you comply with the conditions of the funders.
Introduction to wetland and wet grassland habitats
The UK's wetlands and wet grasslands are under threat and have experienced significant losses over the last century.
These habitats support a wide range of flora and fauna and act as an efficient carbon store, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.
This habitat type can also be particularly important in reducing flood risk by acting as long-term, natural water storage.
- Wetland habitats: These habitats are seasonally or permanently saturated with water creating areas of marshes, fens and bogs with waterlogged soils. Wetlands provide valuable habitat for a wide range of plant and animal species
- Wet grassland habitats: These habitats are periodically flooded or waterlogged. The water table is typically lower than in wetland habitats and the land is dominated by grasses, sedges and rushes
The key difference between these habitats is the variations in vegetation, hydrology and habitat structure. Both habitat types are often found in lowland areas such as floodplains or in upland areas, in depressions or valleys.
Importance of wetlands and wet grasslands in natural flood management
Wetlands and wet grasslands provide many benefits for Natural Flood Management.
Their ability to retain water for extended periods helps slow its movement through the landscape by temporarily storing it and encouraging infiltration into the soil and evapotranspiration.
This reduces the volume and speed of runoff reaching rivers and streams, helping to lower flood risk for communities downstream.
The dense vegetation found within these habitats increases the ground's hydraulic roughness, slowing overland flow and providing further opportunities for infiltration. As a result, rainfall takes longer to reach watercourses, reducing peak flows during storm events.
By creating and restoring these habitats, we hope to see:
- Soils that are more resilient to periods of flooding and drought
- Improved water infiltration and reduced surface water runoff
- Improved water quality
- Enhanced biodiversity
- Greater water storage within the landscape
Species you may expect to find in wet grasslands and wetlands
Plants
- Sweet vernal grass
- Yorkshire fog
- Marsh marigold
- Snake's head fritillary
- Ragged robin
- Cuckoo flower
- Yellow flag iris
Birds
- Lapwing
- Common redshank
- Reed bunting
Amphibians
- Common frog
- Common toad
- Smooth newt
- Great crested newt
Invertebrates
- Marsh fritillary
- Banded demoiselle
- Common darter
- Emerald damselfly
Invasive species
Look out for invasive non-native species and take appropriate action to control or remove them before they spread:
- Himalayan balsam
- Floating pennywort
- Japanese knotweed
- Curly waterweed
- Water primrose
- American mink
- Signal crayfish
Learn more about invasive and non-native plant species rules in England and Wales, including a list of species and advice for their management and removal.
The likelihood of introducing invasive or non-native species can be reduced by using local soils and maintaining good biosecurity practices such as:
- Staying on designated footpaths where possible
- Cleaning boots, wheels and tyres before entering the habitat to reduce the risk of introducing pathogens, invasive species and seeds. Clean them again before leaving and allow them to dry thoroughly before visiting another site
- Checking your dog's paws and fur for seeds and insects
Managing wetland and wet grassland habitats
This guide is based on current management practice. Please note that the following recommendations are intended as general guidance for wetlands and wet grasslands. Specific habitat types may require different management approaches.
- Monitor sediment levels and remove excess sediment where necessary.
- Maintain high water tables where appropriate and avoid unnecessary drainage.
- Remove litter, rubbish, and debris regularly.
- Reduce nutrient inputs and maintain areas of marginal vegetation to help prevent algal growth in your wetland or wet grassland.
- Avoid planting trees or hedges where they could excessively shade areas of breeding amphibian habitat or species-rich wet grassland.
- Manage grazing carefully, avoiding excessive grazing during the spring and early summer when wildlife is breeding. See the seasonal management guidance below for further advice.
- Avoid applying pesticides and fertilisers near or within wetland and wet grassland habitats.
- Ensure that trees and scrub do not dominate the habitat unless scrub development is part of the habitat’s management objectives.
Always check for nesting birds before carrying out any management activities or operating machinery.
Seasonal management considerations
Spring
Springtime is important for breeding amphibians and nesting birds. During this season you should minimise trampling or disturbing your wetland and wet grassland.
Keep an eye out for flowers such as Cuckoo flower and Marsh marigold, which provide food for a range of invertebrates.
It's also a good time of year to monitor and remove invasive non-native species before they become established. View guidance on the removal of invasive non-native species on GOV.UK.
Summer
Summer can be a difficult time for wetland and wet grassland habitats. Rising temperatures can put stress on organisms living in and around these habitats.
To help wildlife during warmer months, leave some areas of longer vegetation around wetland margins to provide shade, shelter and refuge for a range of species.
Control invasive species such as Himalayan balsam
Avoid carrying out maintenance activities which could disturb nesting birds.
Autumn
Late summer to early autumn is an ideal time to implement rotational, low-intensity grazing or mowing on wet grassland habitats as most birds have finished nesting and plants have set seed.
Lighter cattle breeds are often preferable because they create small areas of disturbance that can increase sward diversity and help less-competitive plant species establish, while reducing the risk of excessive poaching.
Grazing should be carefully managed to reduce soil compaction and, where possible, different access points and gateways should be used to reduce the risk of soil poaching and maintain ground cover.
Winter
Winters in Herefordshire are often wet, and flooding can occur across many areas of the county. Heavy livestock should be removed during wet conditions to reduce soil compaction, poaching and damage to soil structure.
Remove any litter and any debris that could obstruct water flow and ensure that outflow pipes or trash screens are clear.
It is important to retain areas of tussocks, rushes and standing vegetation to provide shelter for invertebrates, while maintaining other areas of shorter open grassland for overwintering birds.
Ordinary Watercourse Consents (OWC)
To make changes to an ordinary watercourse (rivers, streams, ditches, drains and culverts) you may need an Ordinary Watercourse Consent. Anything which can affect the flow of water such as new pipes or leaky dams may require consent prior to installation. For more information visit the make changes to a watercourse page.
Signs of success
How will you know you have created a good, healthy habitat?
These are some indicators to look out for when managing your wetland or wet grassland. It is important to be aware of your wetland or wet grasslands biodiversity and health, as this can alter your management practices.
A healthy wetland or wet grassland may have:
- Saturated or waterlogged soils for much of the year with areas of shallow standing water during wetter periods
- A faint "rotten egg" smell resulting from anaerobic soil conditions
- High species diversity including native wetland and wet grassland plants, invertebrates, amphibians and other wildlife
- Minimal to no presence of invasive non-native species
- Good, varied vegetation structure with few areas of bare ground
- Habitats that are free from litter or pollution
- Consistent low and stable levels of algae
Further support and funding
Grant funding support
Wetland and wet grassland charities and organisations
- Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
- Herefordshire Wildlife Trust
- Freshwater Habitats Trust - Wetland Opportunity Areas
Related organisations
Visit the Natural Flood Management Hub to explore NFM Projects across the UK and view their Agricultural Land Management guide.
Visit the NFM evidence directory for more information about how working with natural processes reduces flood risk.