Hickling Living Landscape
restoring a range of wetland habitats
The scheme area is dominated by Hickling Broad, which encompasses a range of wetland habitats including open water, reed bed and grazing marsh. It also includes the coastal plain with heathland and sand dunes. Bittern, marsh harrier, common crane and pink-footed goose are a few of the species that currently thrive in the area.
However, most of the area has historically been drained for arable cultivation. Nutrient inputs and increased salinity are having a significant impact on water quality and consequently on rare aquatic plants such as the stonewort. There is also considerable uncertainty over the long-term sustainability of the current sea defences.
What’s happening?
A range of innovative delivery mechanisms are being implemented to bring Hickling Broad and other habitats into favourable condition:
- 120 hectares proposed for flooding subject to technical feasibility and funding.
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A 200-hectare wetland restoration scheme being delivered by NWT will create reedbed, wet woodland and open water.
Start date: 2008
Scheme area: 5,000 hectares
Trust reserves within the scheme
Priory Meadows, Hickling Broad, Martham Broad
This scheme is helping species including...
Bittern, marsh harrier, common crane, aquatic plants including rare stoneworts, winter wildfowl including huge numbers of pink footed goose and Bewick's swan
Current threats to the landscape
Historical land drainage leading to ochre, salinity and nutrient inputs; uncertainty about sustainability of current sea defences.
Upper Thurne SSSI suffering from poor water quality and in need of catchment management. Coastal defences unsustainable in long term
This scheme is also...
Helping wildlife adapt to climate change, improving water quality, reducing flood risk, improving access for people, providing volunteering opportunities and environmental education
Partners
Natural England, Environment Agency, Broads Authority, Broadland Flood Alleviation Project
To find out more
Email: info@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk | Tel: 01603 625540 | Hickling Living Landscape
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 Adam Cormack.JPG)