SPRINGS AND FLUSHES
ACTION PLAN
Lead Agencies: Public Sector Environment
Agency
Voluntary Sector RSPB
1 INTRODUCTION
The geology of Northamptonshire, which broadly
consists of areas of limestone, clays and recent alluvial deposits, limits the
occurrence of springs and their associated wet flushes. Changes in land use and the high demand for
water have led to springs and flushes becoming an increasingly rare habitat in
lowland areas of the UK.
2 CURRENT STATUS
Habitats included in this plan:
Springs and
flushes
Associated Plans:
Wet and marshy
grassland
Reedbeds and swamps
2.1
Definitions
Springs and their associated wet flushes are
generally limited in their distribution. Springs occur where water wells up
from underground aquifers, whilst flushes occur on sloping ground with impeded
drainage. They support important floral communities that may include Marsh
marigold, Opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage and Greater tussock sedge.
Invertebrates associated with these habitats need more investigation, but
include specialist water beetles and nationally scarce soldier flies. Species
assemblages are partly determined by the underlying geology of the area.
Example One: Southfield Farm Marsh SSSI. Grid Ref: SP
885759
This SSSI includes a
silty peat mire fed by calcareous spring flows, amongst other habitats. The
mire supports a diverse and locally rare floral community, which in turn
supports an uncommon invertebrate fauna including soldier flies, craneflies and
hoverflies.
Example Two: Ramsden Corner Plantation SSSI. Grid Ref: SP624564
This SSSI
contains wet acid flushes amongst grassland, woodland and scrub. The flushes
support Opposite-leaved golden saxifrage, a rarity in Northamptonshire.
2.2 National Status
Lowland springs and flushes have suffered a
decline in the recent past, mainly due to groundwater abstraction, land
drainage and pollution. However, the full extent of this decline and the
current national status of the habitat are not known.
2.3 Local Status
The current status of springs and flushes in
Northamptonshire is not known and therefore more surveys are needed. The geology of the county suggests that it
is probably not a common habitat and may account for the fact that few sites
are known.
In the above examples the springs are
associated with other wetland habitats and form only a small proportion of the
overall site.
3 CHARACTERISTIC
SPECIES
3.1 National Priority
Species
There are no national priority species solely
associated with this habitat.
3.2 Local Priority Species
Opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage (Chrysosplenium oppositifolium), Marsh
marigold (Caltha palustris) and Greater
tussock-sedge (Carex paniculata).
See Appendix 1 Rivers and
Wetlands Priority Species for full lists
4 CURRENT
FACTORS AFFECTING THE HABITAT
6. SPRINGS AND FLUSHES OBJECTIVES AND ACTIONS
|
|
OBJECTIVE
|
ACTION |
LEAD AGENCY |
PARTNERS |
TARGET |
|
|
6.1 |
Policy and Legislation |
|||||
|
|
Objective One: Ensure that BAP species and their habitats
are given an appropriate level of protection in local plans |
Include habitat and species protection
policies in local plans and/or supplementary guidance |
Local Authorities |
Wildlife Trust, English Nature, Environment
Agency |
By 2003 |
|
|
|
Objective Two: Seek to adjust agri-environment schemes and
other incentives to reflect the local conservation requirements of spring and
flush habitats |
Encourage proposals benefiting spring and
flush habitats in line with agri-environment scheme targets |
Department for the Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs |
Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, English
Nature, RSPB, Wildlife Trust |
Include springs and flushes in scheme targets
by 2002 |
|
|
|
Objective Three: Improve or maintain water quality and supply
such that the ecological value of spring and flush habitats is not
compromised |
Monitor and enforce appropriate water quality
standards |
Environment Agency |
Anglian Water |
Throughout Plan Period |
|
|
|
|
Produce strategies to reduce the impact of abstraction
(Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies – “CAMS”) and discharges (under
the EU Water Framework Directive) |
Environment Agency |
Anglian Water |
First stage of CAMS completed by 2006. All surface and ground waters to have “good”
ecological quality by 2016. |
|
|
|
Objective Four: Ensure that all sites are appropriately
protected |
Identify priority non-designated sites for
elevation to CWS or SSSI status |
English Nature |
Wildlife Trust, English Nature |
All suitable sites protected by 2004 |
|
|
|
Objective Five: Ensure development proposals do not affect
the integrity of existing sites |
Notify Local Authorities of all relevant
sites and ensure their inclusion in local development plans |
Wildlife Trust |
English Nature, RSPB |
All sites included in local plans by 2005 |
|
|
6.2 |
Site safeguard and management |
|||||
|
|
No current actions defined |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.3 |
Species management and protection |
|||||
|
|
Objective Six: Monitor and record key species for these
habitats in the County |
Identify key species and their locations.
Devise monitoring plan |
Wildlife Trust |
English Nature, RSPB, Environment Agency |
Monitoring Plan finalised by 2004 |
|
|
|
Objective Seven:
Prioritise management of key sites towards requirements
of target species |
Identify target species on each site and
write/review management plans |
Wildlife Trust |
English Nature, RSPB, Environment Agency |
Management plans in place by 2004 |
|
|
6.4 |
Research and monitoring |
|||||
|
|
Objective Eight: Establish appropriate survey and research
work to identify all sites in Northamptonshire and to define priority sites |
Collate and interpret current data. Identify
gaps in current knowledge and commission surveys as appropriate |
English Nature |
Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency, RSPB |
Survey requirements identified by 2002 |
|
|
6.5 |
Advisory |
|||||
|
|
Objective Nine: Ensure that management advice and information
is readily available to owners and managers of sites, to encourage optimal management
of these habitats |
Produce and promote literature / information.
Apply organisation’s advisory roles |
English Nature |
Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency, RSPB |
Advisory strategy in place by 2004 |
|
|
6.6 |
Communication and publicity |
|||||
|
|
Objective Ten: Increase public awareness of the importance
of, and threats to, these habitats |
Produce and promote literature, attend and
support local shows, to encourage the conservation and sensitive management
of springs and flushes |
Wildlife Trust |
English Nature, Environment Agency, RSPB,
Nene Valley Project |
Collaborative strategy in place by 2003 |
|
|
|
Objective Eleven: Publicise the progress made in delivering
this Action Plan in a BAP Annual Report |
|
|
BAP Partners |
Annual |
|