Management

Management of the Ettrick Marshes began in 1998 after consultation with the local community, and local environmental organisations and agencies. Surveys and studies of the hydrology, geomorphology, plant, bird, moth and mammal species were carried out to guide the management of the Marshes.

The first major work undertaken was the felling of 30ha of conifers from the floodplain to allow the regeneration of floodplain habitats such as scrub, hay meadow and wetlands. The clearfell site has been colonised quickly from surrounding vegetation and has benefited from a small amount of tree planting.

Tree planting has been carried out in appropriate sites suing carefully selected local provenance stock and cuttings from local willows. Areas of the floodplain have been left unplanted to encourage wetland birds, on these areas some regeneration of willows is happening but this is kept in check by the local roe deer population.

Water levels have been managed to increase the water table of the floodplain and retain water for longer periods. This has been done through damming forestry drains, creating ponds and constructing dams and sluices. This has helped to main higher levels of water on those areas where the natural floodplain exists. There is scope for further investigating the hydrology of the area and the possible flood mitigation effect of this floodplain management project.

The path network was created to allow managed access to the Marshes without causing any detrimental effect to the wildlife by human visitors.

The management focus of the Ettrick Marshes is too maintain and enhance the quality of the diverse natural floodplain habitats and their associated flora and fauna.