Reedbeds in St James's Park
What are reedbeds?
You may not have come across reedbeds before - they are areas of shallow water that provide just the right conditions for the UK's largest native grass, the common reed (Phragmites australis).
Why are reedbeds important?
They are a natural habitat that supports a range of plants, which in turn provide shelter, nest sites and food for a huge variety of wildlife, including some of the UK's rarest species. They encourage a rich mixture of life - biodiversity at its very best.
What lives in them?
London's reedbeds are home to some interesting wildlife including rare rove beetles, dragonflies, kingfishers and the bittern. Many of the animal's are dependent on the dense cover they provide.
Why St James's Park?
Land is scarce in London so there are very few places where reedbeds can develop naturally. The Royal Parks is an active member of the London Biodiversity Partnership's
Habitat Action Plan for Reedbeds. This group identifies opportunities in the capital where new reedbeds can be created to replace those that have been lost. There are already successful small reedbeds that we have previously created around the lake in St James's Park which have attracted diverse wildlife. We are now seeking to build on this success by building a much larger reedbed.
What happens next?
We have selected a mixture of native species, aimed at improving the visual appearance of the area, especially whilst the reedbed is first being established. This will contribute to the ecological improvement of the Lake by attracting a huge variety of wildlife (birds, dragonflies, moths, invertebrates, bats and fishes), and by improving the quality of the water and helping to prevent the excessive growth of algae.
Supporters
Reed Elsevier (UK) Ltd has provided generous financial support and extremely useful volunteer effort, enabling us to undertake this project.
Reedbed Project
