The return of water to Søgårds Lake and Marsh
The purpose of the nature project in Soegaard Marsh is to increase and improve the area with nature of the type alkaline fen and petrifying spring. This will be achieved by restoring conditions in terms of light and humidity that are characteristics of the habitats. Since the nineteenth century there have been intensive draining of the lake and marsh areas by pumping through the former Magleby Nor that originally was a shallow bay. Since the 1970s the Government has bought land in the area to restore more nature and a lake surface surrounded by marsh areas have been restored over time. Actions in this project are a combination of clearance and even lesser draining in and around Soegraads Marsh in the possible extent. Furthermore extensive grazing management must be ensured, with robust animals suitable for nature preservation.
The alkaline fens must be rescued
The areas around Soegaards Marsh consist of a mosaic of habitats with meadow, marsh and waterholes around the recreated Soegaards Lake. The marshes are particularly valuable and are part of the international nature preservation area “Natura 2000-area – Sydfynske Oehav”. They include the habitat “alkaline fen” which is rare habitat that supports an array of Denmark’s rare and protected plants and numerous insects.
Alkaline fens appear where exceptionally calcareous ground water is naturally supplied under pressure, and often where the former coastal cliffs and banksides were, where the water table is high.
The fen is characterized by having the special evergreen plant “swamp sawgrass” grow in it. Both types of fens need grazing and more natural hydrology if their high value as habitats for rare plants and animals shall continue.
Rare birds breed here
The area around Soegaards Marsh and lake is a breeding site for rare bird species like Eurasian bittern and the western marsh harrier and their habitat are facing pressure in the Danish landscape. An increase in moist and wet nature with grazing animals is part of restoring and securing the marshes ability to serve as habitat for these species. For management of a wild nature reserve as this to succeed the grazing animals must be robust and the management must be extensive, but targeted at the special habitats that create the basis of living for an array of species.
As part of RigKildeLife less water will be drained from the areas, creating more suited breeding sites and habitats for the rare bird.