BAP

Of all the habitats in Lincolnshire the rivers and wetlands of the county have seen some of the most dramatic changes over the last few centuries. The great fens that extended throughout several eastern counties and dominated the landscape of south-east Lincolnshire have been drained and converted to farmland and small towns leaving just a small fragment of what was once one of Britain's richest wildlife habitats. This drainage resulted in a vastly modified landscape with an extensive network of drainage dykes and a uniform, canalised and maintenance-dependent waterway system. The range of specialist animals and plants associated with the Fens are now rare or threatened with extinction. However, the extensive drains and dykes that have replaced wild fen do support water voles, otters and a range of birds and invertebrates.

Vision for Lincolnshire's Rivers and Wetlands

• Safeguarded, improved and extended habitats appreciated for their wealth of wetland wildlife.
• Lincolnshire's rivers and streams restored to meandering wildlife corridors running through rich mosaics of wetland habitats.
• Water levels are managed to benefit wildlife at all seasons. Floodplains restored and used to control flooding and benefit wildlife.
• Populations of key national and Lincolnshire species have increased and are spread more widely throughout the county.

Action Plans

• Chalk Streams (including Blow Wells)
• Fens, Swamps and Wet Reedbeds
• Ponds, Lakes and Reservoirs
• Rivers, Canals and Drains
• Springs and Flushes
• Bittern
• Greater Water-parsnip
• Otter
• River Mussel species
• Water Vole
• White-clawed Crayfish

COMING SOON! New Species Action Plan - Freshwater fish species grouped plan.

Details can be downloaded from the Documents section.