Meshaw wildflowers. Photo, David Chamberlain
Culm Grassland Natural Flood Management Projects
How can Culm grassland help us to manage flooding?
These projects have now ended but over the last five years, Devon Wildlife Trust has worked closely with the University of Exeter and other partners to examine the unique benefits of Culm grassland to help prevent flooding downstream.
It has been found that this rare habitat found in North Devon river catchments can hold back water. But how does this work in practice?
The benefits of Culm
Between 2016 and 2021, Devon Wildlife Trust worked closely with the University of Exeter and other partners to examine the wider benefits of Culm grassland.
This rare habitat, a type of purple moor-grass and rush pasture peculiar to north Devon, is important for wildlife; but it also has real potential to hold water, filter pollution and retain carbon. Understanding all of these ‘ecosystem services’ helps society to understand just how important these natural habitats can be.
Increasing our knowledge
Research to date by University of Exeter across a number of sites in north Devon has shown that Culm grassland can hold up to five times as much water as intensive grassland in extreme weather events.
The analogy often used is that Culm grassland acts a little like a ‘leaky bucket’, holding and releasing water more slowly than more intensive land uses. Results have also shown that Culm grassland can play a significant role in reducing nutrient pollution and storing carbon. Much of this benefit from Culm grassland comes from its uneven and tussocky vegetation layer.
We have developed our knowledge about how Culm Grassland holds water through new Ph.D research with the University of Exeter and two recent projects. Find out more about this research and the projects below.
The economic value of Culm grasslands report below describes how research data has been used to build the first ever picture of the financial value of ecosystem services delivered by culm grassland.
Reports about this research and our recent projects
Culm Grassland natural flood management success
Find out more
Triple C: Reducing flood risk success
Find out moreRealising the benefits of Culm grassland
Understanding how Culm grassland works in practice in a complex landscape will increase our knowledge and help farmers and flood risk engineers to evaluate the wider practical benefits of this important wildlife habitat. By actively managing existing habitat and creating new grassland, landowners can make a real contribution to this effort.
Our partners and funders for these projects included:
Get in touch
Northern Devon Natural Solutions is our current project working to improve freshwater and farmland for wildlife. Find out more about this project and get in touch below...