Effect of cutting as a fen management practice on the invertebrate biodiversity of the Norfolk Broads

Abstract

This study sought to discover whether summer cutting of fenlands changes the biodiversity of invertebrates in managed areas as compared to control areas. Following preliminary sampling reedbeds were chosen for the investigation. The invertebrates studied were Mollusca, Araneae and Coleoptera. Species level changes were investigated in order to identify any specific level responses to management. All the groups studied were shown to be habitat specific and sensitive to management at the species level, for some, but not all species. Overall biodiversity and similarity, in terms of presence and absence of species within each group, and in terms of numbers of individuals, was not shown to be affected by cutting management. All three groups studied contained species which reacted positively to cutting management, increasing in abundance. There were also species in each group which responded negatively to cutting management, decreasing in abundance. Overall response was positive in the short term.