Outcome NR6 Wetlands

Identify and locate all valley mires and fens and their catchments to help protect or reinstate natural hydrology and water quality.

Reduce diffuse and point source pollution from agriculture through management of inputs, slurry and silage pits.

All farms to have nutrient management plans & adhere to catchment sensitive farming guidance, in order to reduce nutrient input into water bodies to background levels.

Buffer water bodies from farmland inputs (zones 20m wide)

Reduce use of worming medicines such as Ivermectin to protect species diversity (flora and soil microbiome), through techniques such as faecal egg count monitoring to target treatment, mixed grazing to reduce worm load in pasture, and bioactive forages to protect animals [43] (see also Outcome NR5).

Reduce diffuse and point source pollution from housing through good management of household septic tanks and from sewage treatment works

Reduce the use of agricultural herbicides (e.g. Glyphosate, Thistlex, MCPA) through alternative forms of management.

Raise awareness amongst dog-owners of the damaging effect of neonicotinoid flea treatments on water biology

Encourage and facilitate public and landowner vigilance for invasive species.

Co-operative with and support regional INNS strategies and projects.

Ensure good biosecurity by following and disseminating guidance from the Non-native Species Secretariat – ‘Check, Clean & Dry’ [41].

Create new wetlands where conditions allow, especially clean water ponds (i.e. those not connected to watercourses or subject to run-off from other land-uses), and including marsh and swamp habitats as well as open water.