Fenland SAC facts for kids
Fenland is a special natural area in eastern England. It is made up of three important wetlands, which are like marshy, watery lands. These areas are protected because they are home to unique plants and animals.
Fenland was set up in 2005 to protect three specific wetland sites in Cambridgeshire. Together, these sites cover about 619 hectares, which is roughly the size of 1,500 football fields. The three protected sites are:
- Chippenham Fen (52°17′53″N 0°24′54″E / 52.298°N 0.415°E)
- Wicken Fen (52°18′25″N 0°16′41″E / 52.307°N 0.278°E)
- Woodwalton Fen (52°26′42″N 0°11′35″W / 52.445°N 0.193°W)
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What Makes Fenland Special?
Fenland is known as a "Special Area of Conservation" (SAC). This means it's a very important place for nature in Europe. It protects certain types of habitats that are rare or threatened.
Unique Habitats in Fenland
The Fenland SAC has two main types of habitats that are protected by a European law called the Habitats Directive. These habitats are special because of their unique soil and plant life:
- Molinia meadows: These are grassy areas found on peaty or clayey soils. They are named after a type of grass called Molinia.
- Calcareous fens: These are wet, marshy areas with soil rich in calcium. They are home to special plants like cladium mariscus, also known as great fen-sedge.
Looking After Fenland
The Fens region used to be a much larger wetland. However, most of it has been drained over many years to create farmland. Today, less than 1% of the original natural wetland remains.
Because of this, the remaining wetlands like Wicken Fen need a lot of care. They need active management to keep their water levels just right. The land around Wicken Fen has shrunk due to farming, which makes water drain away from the fen. To stop it from drying out, people pump water back into the fen from nearby drainage channels. This helps keep the unique plants and animals alive.
Other Ways Fenland is Protected
Besides being a Special Area of Conservation, these three sites have other important protections:
- Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs): All three sites are also protected as SSSIs. This is a national protection in Great Britain for areas that are important for their plants, animals, or geology.
- Ramsar Convention: The sites are also protected under the Ramsar Convention. This is an international agreement that helps protect important wetlands around the world, especially those that are vital for waterbirds.
