Native plants can help to boost biodiversity on the ancient floodplain meadows beside the Stour at the CRT’s Bere Marsh Farm
A team of Dorset conservation officers and volunteers has begun a project to plant native wildflowers and meadow grasses at Bere Marsh Farm near Shillingstone, aimed at enhancing biodiversity on the Stour floodplain fields.
The 92-acre Bere Marsh Farm, between the old Somerset and Dorset railway line and the river, is owned by the Countryside Regeneration Trust, a charity promoting nature-friendly farming to help reverse the biodiversity decline and combat climate change.
The team will be reseeding a total of one hectare with brush-harvested seed from floodplain meadows managed by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. The plan is to increase coverage over the rest of the floodplain fields at Bere Marsh in future years (a total of 13.5ha).
The CRT head of conservation and land management Helena Darragh explains why the project is so important: ‘Species-rich floodplain meadow habitat in Britain has dramatically declined due to agricultural intensification, urban and industrial development of these flat, low-lying and fertile areas, as well as alterations to their hydrology through changes to river systems.
‘Due to their proximity to watercourses, species-rich floodplain meadows were once the most productive fields on farms, receiving their nutrients each year through highly fertile silt deposited on the land during flood events. This special value has decreased with fertiliser now used more widely across farm holdings and high yielding grasses selected to grow hay or silage adding to the overall loss of this biodiverse habitat.’
An annual cycle
Floodplain meadows are characterised by diverse herb-rich swards and feature the iconic great burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis) plant with its crinkle-cut leaves, producing beautiful burgundy seed heads in summer. Other wildflowers include common sorrel (Rumex acetosa) and meadow vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis). ‘These magnificent lowland habitats contribute to nature-friendly farm practices through providing a valuable nutritious source of food for livestock,’ says Helena.
During winter and spring months, floodplain meadows are often inundated with floodwater, providing nesting and feeding habitat for a huge array of birdlife. As the ground becomes drier, livestock can be let on to graze the early grass growth, before being shut out to allow wildflowers to come through and produce a herb-rich hay crop, and so the cycle comes full circle.
Native wildflower seeds need contact with bare soil to germinate so machinery is used to scratch the top surface of vegetation away to create perfect conditions for sowing.
‘It may not look much at first, but keep an eye out in the spring and summer next year for a boost in wildflower abundance on these fields, providing pollen and nectar for a range of pollinators,’ adds Helena. ‘With the UK now subject to more short, sharp downpours in winter months (and throughout the year) ensuring our floodplains function more effectively by storing water helps to alleviate flooding downstream and reduce soil erosion, providing benefits to local communities.’
- Established in 1993, the Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT) takes a holistic view of why the countryside matters, viewing wildlife, food production, employment, economics and development as all essential.
