Future fens: using palaeoecology to inform restoration and conservation of the Lincolnshire Fenlands

背景英格兰东部的沼泽地是一个独特的景观，由50万年的自然和人为过程形成。该地区的低起伏导致了对海洋和淡水淹没事件的敏感性，产生了多样性和物种丰富的景观（Brew et al. 2015）。与农业集约化相结合的人工排水已经将湿地地区转变为可耕地，只剩下1000公顷支离破碎的未排水沼泽地（Morris等人，2000年）。持续的集约化耕作和水文失衡导致泥炭土因氧化和风蚀而干燥和流失。沼泽地的许多部分继续下降到目前的海平面以下，降低了其生物多样性的能力，从而减少了农业资源基础。立即对剩余的沼泽地进行古生态调查对于帮助保护和告知沼泽地的土地管理潜力至关重要，特别是在面临与气候变化和海洋-ObjectivesThe项目的总体目标是对林肯郡沼泽地进行古生态学保护研究（例如Mccarroll等人。2017）。具体目标是：-建立一个景观变化记录，包括植被，水文和植被引起的景观变化的选择地理上不同的网站在整个全新世林肯郡沼泽地。- 使用土地使用记录来确定景观的生态条件如何根据长期的环境和人为影响而改变。- 利用所产生的古环境数据为当前和未来的湿地沼泽区和农业用地的保护和再生提供信息。新奇小palaeoenvironmental研究已经进行了过去的景观和海平面的变化，在林肯郡芬兰地，特别是粉土地已被忽视，由于缺乏覆盖泥炭沉积。气候引起的变化（如风暴潮、洪水、侵蚀）预计在今后几年将增加，并增加该区域的脆弱性，使该地区的科学研究的必要性变得更加紧迫。案例合作伙伴林肯郡野生动物信托基金拥有和管理的最后遗迹幸存的沼泽地在林肯郡，包括巴斯顿和瑟尔比芬SSSI和一个新的沼泽恢复项目在杨柳树芬。提出的主要问题，也是本博士将帮助解决的问题是：“我们试图将沼泽恢复到什么样子？”“这符合信托基金的战略目标，即”恢复和创造有助于健康运作的生态系统和更能适应气候变化和其他挑战的环境的栖息地“。信托基金将让学生进入该地区的七个自然保护区，使林肯郡的沼泽地成为一个活生生的实验室。他们将在林肯郡野生动物信托基金会接待这名学生，培训他们野外技术，并陪同他们进入野外。他们将培训学生在保护和政策导向方面的工作，确保研究是可转移和应用。杨柳树芬的办公室、车间和福利设施将为博士生提供一个实地基地。Brew，D et al.（2000）Holocene sedimentation evolution and palaeocoastlines of the Fenland embayment，eastern England.地质学会，伦敦，特别出版物，166，253- 273. McCarroll，J. et al.（2017）应用古生态学保护莫斯代尔摩尔泥炭地。Quaternary International 432，39-4.莫里斯，J等人（2000年），《农业经济和环境目标：在英格兰东部芬兰地区重建湿地的案例》。农业，生态系统和环境79，245-25。

Background The fenlands of eastern England represent a unique landscape, shaped by 500,000 years of natural and anthropogenic processes. The area's low relief has resulted in a sensitivity to episodes of marine and freshwater inundation, producing a diverse and species rich landscape (Brew et al. 2015).Much of this ecologically rich fenland has been lost. Artificial drainage in association with agricultural intensification has transformed wetland areas into arable land, leaving only 1000 fragmented hectares of undrained fenland (Morris et al. 2000). Continuing intensive cultivation and hydrological imbalance has caused desiccation and wastage of peat soils via oxidation and wind erosion. Many parts of the fenland continue to fall below current sea level, reducing its biodiversity capacity and subsequently decreasing the agricultural resource base.Immediate palaeoecological investigation of the remaining fenland is imperative for aiding conservation and informing the land management potential of the fenland, particularly when faced with additional challenges associated with climate change and accelerated sea-level rise.ObjectivesThe overall aim of the project is to undertake a palaeoecologically informed conservation study of the Lincolnshire Fenlands (e.g. Mccarroll et al. 2017). The specific objectives are to:- Establish a landscape change record, including vegetation, hydrological and anthropogenically induced landscape changes of a selection of geographically diverse sites across the Lincolnshire Fenlands throughout the Holocene. - Use the land-use record to determine how the ecological conditions of the landscape have altered according to long term environmental and anthropogenic influences. - Utilise the palaeoenvironmental data generated to inform current and future conservation and regeneration of both wetland fens areas and agricultural land. Novelty Little palaeoenvironmental research has been undertaken on past landscape and sea-level changes in the Lincolnshire Fenlands, particularly the siltlands which have been overlooked due to the lack of overlying peat deposits. Climate-induced changes (e.g. storm surges, flooding, erosion) are projected to increase in future years and add to the vulnerability of the region, making the need for scientific studies in the area ever more pressing. CASE partnerThe Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust own and manage the last vestiges of surviving fenland in Lincolnshire including the Baston and Thurlby Fen SSSI and a new fen restoration project at Willow Tree Fen. The major question being posed and the one this PhD will help to address is: 'what are we trying to restore the fens back to?' This meets the Trust's strategic aim of 'restoring and creating habitats that contribute to healthy functioning ecosystems and an environment more resilient to climate change and other challenges'.The Trust will give the student access to seven nature reserves in the region, allowing the Lincolnshire Fenlands to be used as a living laboratory. They will host the student at Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, training them in field techniques and accompanying them into the field. They will train the student in conservation and policy orientated aspects of the work ensuring the research was transferable and applied. The office, workshop and welfare facility at Willow Tree Fen will provide a field base for the PhD student. Brew, D et al. (2000) Holocene sedimentary evolution and palaeocoastlines of the Fenland embayment, eastern England. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 166, 253-273.McCarroll, J. et al. (2017) Application of palaeoecology for peatland conservation at Mossdale Moor. Quaternary International 432, 39-4. Morris, J et al. (2000) Reconciling agricultural economic and environmental objectives: the case of recreating wetlands in the Fenland area of eastern England. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 79, 245-25.