Abstract
Changes in the fauna and flora of an internationally important British calcareous valley-head mire between 1959 and 1991 are described in detail. Changes in site hydrology and management practices over the same period are also described. Monitoring data document the conversion of Schoeno-Junceta communities into degraded types of Cirsio-Molinietum, Juncus subnodulosus fen meadow and highly fertile Phragmitetalia fens. The wetland fauna was similarly degraded. Five processes of change were identified: alteration of competitive balance of the community dominants; change in environmental conditions required by individual species; increases in site fertility; increase in scrub cover on the fen; and a change from soligenous to rain-fed hydrology. The underlying cause of change was identified as abstraction of groundwater by a nearby borehole. Other factors such as dredging of drainage channels, lack of management of the herbaceous communities, fire and drought are considered. The implications for the conservation of similar fens are discussed.
Published Version
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