Wet Woodland

Wet Woodland (pdf full description) 

Approximate extent - 88 ha

Distribution – Mostly Dark Peak and South West Peak

Opportunities and Threats

Extent – Generally under-recorded as it occurs as a mosaic amongst other habitats.  Threat from perceived lower value compared to other habitats such as bog and marsh.

Condition – Probably at risk from grazing and poaching.

Connectivity – Poor.  Typically small, fragmented sites suffering from a loss of connectivity between rivers and the floodplain.

Climate change risks – Moderate.  Risk of drying out and gradual loss of sites.  Threat from non-native invasive species such as Himalayan balsam in river valley woodlands.

Priorities

The value of wet woodlands to a variety of species such as otters (pictured), and as a natural flood alleviation tool; together with vulnerability to climate change mean it is:

High priority to:

• Protect and enhance existing sites.
• Reduce fragmentation by expanding wet woodland in association with other woodland types.