As well as the reed beds being managed the grazing marshes are also managed. In the grazing marshes, the grassland is grazed from the end of May until October. The grassland is grazed at the end of May because of the birds nesting. Moreover grazing helps keep the vegetation down and increases the biodiversity as further plants can receive sunlight and therefore grow. The land is grazed by tenant farmers, who also bring income to the land.
Managing the drainage ditches plays a significant role in the ecosystem. The drainage ditches are dredged to keep plants out and sediment is removed to permit the water to flow freely. The fertilisers used for surrounding the agriculture is washed into the ditches, which causes and enhance in algae growth. This influences problems, as the algae can become poisonous. In addition, the level of sodium in the water is also monitored to make sure that slat is not entering the ecosystem, as the plants are halophobic.
Last of all, the scrapes are managed by monitoring the level of water.
Y it is managed
This ecosystem is rightly managed because it is a unique and rare ecosystem. As I said early 100 species of birds breed each year in this habitat, also 200 birds stop in the marshes during their migration. Without this important habitat the bird population will severely decrease. Rare birds like bittern use the reed beds to breed each year, they also eat elbers from the ditches. So if ecosystem was not managed well it could affect other living creatures in the habitat.
Arctic Terns stop at the marshes during their migration from Antarctica to breed. The birds are a very momentous part of this ecosystem because as we all know, they are also at the top of the food chain, so they are a good indication as to how healthy the ecosystem is and how it manages. If however, there were no birds this would mean the ecosystem is not working in order.
The area is also highly successful in attracting a large number of tourists each year, in particular bird watchers. Bird watchers flood in from all over the world, this results in a valuable income for the local village, which only had a population of 350. in Norfolk 50% of the population are over 60 so they do not generate much. Most of the local income is gained through locally running bed and breakfast, hotels, shops and pubs – particularly as farming creates not much of an income in the county.
Human activities – tourists/visitors – litter, pollution, erosion, scaring away the birds.