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Reed all about it
One
of the very rarest habitat types in the UK is the reedbed. Often considered as
uniform monocultures of reed, supporting few species, reedbeds can actually incorporate
various wetland habitats and support a range of wildlife both common and rare.
Reedbed sites are dominated by, but not necessarily composed purely of, common
reed Phragmites australis, with a water table at or above ground level for most
of the year. Areas of open water, ditches, wet grassland and carr woodland are
important associated habitats.
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| Reedbeds
are wildlife havens. They are particularly important for birds, supporting easily
identifiable species like the heron as well as a distinctive assemblage of breeding
and migratory rarities like the bittern and the globally threatened aquatic warbler
(both of which are recorded |
in
Cornwall). A large range of invertebrates is also sheltered by reedbeds and a
discerning eye may detect hundreds of moths, beetles, flies or spiders. Other
species found in this wetland habitat are the common frog and fish such as the
eel, which provide a wonderful food |
source
for another rarity - the otter. An association which is perhaps unexpected is
that with the harvest mouse, which has been found as the dominant mammal in some
reedbeds and which is thought to be declining. |
