Outflow restoration and vegetation clearance, Quoisley Mere Site of Special Scientific Interest

Natural England

Keystone Habitats was successful in its tender application to conduct outflow restoration and habitat maintenance on a SSSI in Cheshire on behalf of Natural England.

What did we do?

• Selective vegetation clearance of approximately 1.1ha of trees and scrub.
• Timber extraction of 10m3.Stump treatment to prevent re-growth.
• Ring barking of select mature trees to encourage standing deadwood.Natural outflow regeneration of on-site ditch networks.
• Creation of floodplain areas.Stock fence installation.

How did we do it?

• Selected a Foreman from Keystone Habitats with previous wetland SSSI restoration experience to deliver the project.
• Worked closely with the client and adjacent landowners to coordinate a strategy to minimise impacts to the SSSI and all adjacent land areas.
• Selective felling of trees around the mere by hand and with the aid of specialised machinery (360o excavator fitted with a power-blade attachment to avoid ground damage).
• Brash burning of all arisings on specialised burn stations to prevent ground damage.
• Removal of fire ash to prevent nutrient run off.Sensitive herbicide application to all freshly cut stumps.
• Channel in-filling with woody debris and cohesive substrate to create 4 natural dams totalling 33m in length.
• Mechanical grading of adjacent low lying areas to encourage out of flow wetland areas.

What were the outcomes?

• The brief was delivered on budget under a tight schedule, regardless of inhospitable weather conditions.
• Negligible impact to the SSSI was incurred as a result of our work and the desired restoration/maintenance was achieved.
• The cooperation of landowners was secured and thereafter maintained for the duration of the project.
• A glowing testimonial was received from the Land Management Advisor at Natural England and Cheshire County Council, another stakeholder, also expressed their approval of the work undertaken by Keystone Habitats.