Dehydration and the threat to East Anglian fens, England

Fojt, W. J.

doi:10.1016/0006-3207(94)90056-6

Cited by 16 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…These strategies often include measures to restore individual fen reserves e.g. by removing abstraction wells from recharge areas as suggested by, amongst others, Fojt (1994), or by lowering the ground surface of fen reserves by means of top-soil removal as suggested by Van der Hoek and Heijmans (2007). In order to mitigate habitat fragmentation of low-productive fens, however, a spatially coherent hydrological fen restoration strategy is required that is also suitable to restore zones of ceased groundwater supply outside the current fen reserves, as these zones are thought to be less suitable for the establishment of most fen plants (Sjörs and Gunnarsson, 2002), and thus may form barriers against fen plant dispersal.…”

Section: Hydrological Fen Restorationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These degradation processes are often triggered by a shift in the origin of groundwater supply as a result of water management practices. In particular, drainage (Schot et al, 2004) and groundwater abstractions (Fojt, 1994) are thought to prevent groundwater from entering the fen root zone, because they intercept groundwater that is potentially directed to the fen surface. This decreased supply of groundwater may cause a fall in groundwater tables and enhances the infiltration of local precipitation and surface water (Van Wirdum, 1991).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Local and regional impact of anthropogenic drainage on fen contiguity

Loon

Schot

Bierkens

et al. 2009

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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Abstract. Knowledge of the hydrological mechanisms behind habitat fragmentation of fen plant communities in intensively managed regions like The Netherlands is essential to improve currently utilized fen restoration and conservation strategies. In this study, we analysed the local and regional impact of anthropogenic drainage on the groundwater supply of fens. For this purpose, we developed finescale groundwater flow models and collected empirical data to analyse (1) the differences in groundwater supply between an anthropogenically drained fen and a poorly drained fen in The Netherlands, and (2) the local and regional effects of the elimination of drainage ditches on the groundwater supply of fens. Our results consistently indicated the presence of recently infiltrated precipitation on top of upwelling groundwater across the anthropogenically drained fen, and a mixing gradient of recently infiltrated precipitation and upwelling groundwater across the poorly drained fen. Furthermore, our results showed that the elimination of drainage ditches from the anthropogenically drained fen increased the area and the flux of groundwater supply of both the anthropogenically drained fen and the poorly drained fen. We conclude that anthropogenic drainage not only causes a lowering of groundwater tables, but also (1) enhances the infiltration of local precipitation across fens while simultaneously preventing upwelling groundwater from entering the fen root zone, and (2) reduces the groundwater supply of adjacent fens by intercepting groundwater that is potentially directed to downstream regions. These insights support the need to reconsider the current priorities in hydrological fen restoration strategies.

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Section: Hydrological Fen Restorationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Local and regional impact of anthropogenic drainage on fen contiguity

Loon

Schot

Bierkens

et al. 2009

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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“…Given the close relationship between groundwater and wetlands, wetlands are clearly vulnerable to the effects of groundwater abstraction (Foyt 1994a;Kadza 1995). Water table draw-down in areas surrounding abstraction boreholes creates a cone of depression in unconfi ned aquifers.…”

Section: Impact Of Groundwater Abstraction On Wetlandsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Elsewhere in the region abstraction has been permitted despite the anticipated effects on wetlands. This includes Redgrave and Lopham Fen, although they are SSSI wetlands and listed as internationally important according to the Ramsar Convention (Denny 1993;Harding 1993;Foyt 1994a). One may ask why an increase in abstraction was granted?…”

Section: Mitigating and Managing The Effects Of Groundwater Abstractimentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrological Dynamics II: Groundwater and Hydrological Connectivity

Gilvear

Bradley

2009

The Wetlands Handbook

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“…The maintenance of this type of mire system is dependent upon sustained groundwater supply. Consequently, the reduction of aquifer water tables, resulting from groundwater abstraction for public water supply and agricultural irrigation, is seen as a major threat to this type of mire (Fojt 1994(Fojt , 1995. However, the effect is not always easy to assess, partly because of a lack of former vegetation records, and also because deleterious changes can occur for other reasons (e.g.…”

Section: Spring and Seepage Fensmentioning

confidence: 99%