Redgrave and Lopham Fen - Ecology

Ecology

The habitats present at Redgrave and Lopham are characteristic of areas of valley mire. This ecosystem creates a zonation of vegetation types, producing a diverse range of habitat. Dry marginal woodland becomes fen grassland, dominated by purple moor-grass, which grades into mixed fenland of reed and sedge beds. This grassland is particularly notable at Redgrave and Lopham for its areas of saw sedge Cladium mariscus.

Into these areas of fenland protrude sandy ridges covered in heath vegetation. Without management these communities become invaded by sallow and develop into scrubland. To maintain site diversity, this has been allowed to occur in some areas of the Fen.

These habitats maintain a community of plants and animals, with the site being particularly known for its diversity of invertebrate species. Surveys have identified nineteen species of dragonfly and 27 species of butterfly at the Fen, which has also long been recognised for its nationally important population of the fen raft spider Dolomedes plantarius.

Further surveys have also found 26 species of mammals, including otter, pipistrelle bats and introduced species such as the Chinese water deer. The site has also recorded 4 species of amphibian and 4 species of reptile and a 2006 survey recorded 96 species of bird visiting the Fen.