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Key facts about fens: •It is estimated that of 3400 km 2 of fen present in England in 1637, only 10 km 2 remains today. Fens are an important resource for nature conservation and can provide key ecosystem services like flood control, food production, recreation and carbon storage and accumulation. Fens are a habitat at high risk from neglect and vulnerable to pollution. Wetland habitats are particularly vulnerable to the pressures brought by our changing climate, increased nutrients and expanding human population. Why produce a handbook? Practical guidance on how to manage fens and how to deal with environmental pressures is not widely available. Much of the available information is contained in academic literature, not always easy to understand or implement at a practical level. Implementation of Biodiversity Action Plans, Agri-Environment Schemes, Climate Change adaptation, the Water Framework Directive and Floods Directive all require an improved understanding of the management of wetlands, including fens. Who is it for? The expected audience are land managers, advisors, technical, planners, policy makers, site wardens, volunteers, consultants, scientists, students operational and advisory staff or those who just want to know a bit more about fens. The handbook is generously illustrated with diagrams, photographs and case studies. How do I get a copy? Initially the book was web based, but after receiving feedback from users, we have now produced a redesigned handbook, available in both electronic and hard copy. We hope it will be an invaluable reference tool for helping to conserve and restore this dynamic, rich and fragile habitat to the UK’s landscape and encourage a wider appreciation of the value of fens to society. The Fen Management Handbook The Fen Management Handbook is produced through the collaboration of Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Countryside Council for Wales, Natural England, Environment Agency ,The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and The Scottish Government. This collaboration has run over three years and involved many specialists and authors to whom we acknowledge their important contribution. Tall fen at Cropple How Mires, Cumbria What is in the Handbook? The Fen Management Handbook enables a manager to determine the appropriate management based upon a functional understanding of the fen. It includes the following sections: 1. Introduction and Basic Principles 2. Fen Flora and Fauna 3. Understanding Fen Hydrology 4. Understanding Fen Nutrients 5. Fen Management and Restoration 6. Fen Vegetation Management 7. Fen Water Management 8. Managing Fen Nutrient Enrichment 9. Creating Fen Habitat 10.Monitoring to Inform Fen Management 11.Fens and People 12.Fens From an Economic Perspective Cutting fen vegetation on Aber Bog, Loch Lomond, Scotland Cattle grazing at Insh Marshes The Fen Management Handbook is available online at : Fen Management Handbook Or hardcopy from RSPB publications at : http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/handbook_orderform_tcm9 -234215.pdf Claife Tarns and Mires, Cumbria
