In the four years prior to these works the Environment Agency had twice attempted to establish reedbeds and reed fringes to an ecological feature area within the Maidenhead FAS Scheme. Both attempts used cell grow plugs of Phragmites australis (Common Reed). Heavy waterfowl pressure and the fluctuating water levels had resulted in virtually no plant survival out of the tens of thousands of plugs planted. Salix were invited to provide a method of kick starting the reedbed establishment. A simple 5m2 trial using pre-established coir carpets was installed in the summer of 2004. The excellent establishment that year convinced the Environment Agency that this was the best method to establish reeds within the channel.
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In March 2006 forty coir carpets with mature reeds were installed on the channel edge, on islands and within backwaters. Each block was temporarily fenced to prevent waterfowl grazing. The idea was not to cover every area with coir carpets as this would have been cost inhibitive. Instead the objective was to establish mature blocks of reed that could then spread naturally.
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The rate of establishment has been remarkable with blocks of reed fully establishing within 4 months and even some blocks reaching maturity and flowering. The reed is even starting to spread via rhizome development and new shots could be seen appearing over 1m away from the planting at the end of the first season. In 2007 the temporary fencing will be removed for use on other sites within the project.
Above: The trial area after 4 months growth on site
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& Right : The blocks of reed will close the open areas over time
making the coir carpet a cost effective method of establishing reed
margins in difficult conditions. |
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