Since 2023 we have been developing relationships and knowledge relating to floodplain meadows in Wales. We are working to explore the historic and current extent of floodplain meadows, determine the potential for restoration and collaborating with various groups with the aim of helping to develop future research and floodplain meadow restoration projects.

The project has primarily been focused on south-east Wales, Carmarthenshire, and the Wye catchment with three main objectives:

1. Increasing our knowledge

Our inventory currently shows only 27 hectares (ha) of species-rich floodplain meadows in Wales with a further 5 ha under restoration. We believe there must be more sites we are unaware of and would love to hear from anyone who manages a species-rich meadow in the floodplain or is involved in restoration projects.

We have been investigating the historical extent of floodplain meadows in the Upper Wye using a method developed by Fjordr, working with FMP in England. This has shown that floodplain meadows were extensive in this area in the early 1800’s. See our historic webmap for further information Map of historic sites | Floodplain Meadows Partnership It is likely that the exploration of other catchments will reveal a similar landuse pattern and we are keen to undertake similar research elsewhere.

Alongside this, we are aiming to model floodplain meadow restoration potential in Carmarthenshire, using a method already trialled in the Wye Catchment and south-east Wales.

2. Building connections

We have been running a series of seminars and talks on floodplain meadows to share our extensive research on this rare habitat and are building a network of floodplain meadow collaborators, including farmers, community groups, meadow groups, river restoration professionals and others working in floodplains to share information, case studies and experiences.

3. Advocacy

We are expanding our work with Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the Welsh Assembly Government, and groups in Wales, to supply evidence relevant to policy development and legislation around the post-Brexit Sustainable Farming Scheme expected to start in 2026. The Optional and Collaboration layers will be of particular relevance for actions delivering floodplain meadow management and restoration.  Alongside the provision of practical advice, we have submitted our data to the Carbon Sequestration Evidence Review Panel established by Welsh Government in support of the development of a Sustainable Farming Scheme for Wales.

We are also working with NRW, Plantlife and the National Trust on a possible programme for semi-natural grasslands in Wales.

There is huge scope for floodplain grasslands to be prioritised within government schemes that aim to restore biodiversity and water quality along priority rivers in Wales.

Suggested spatial targets to feed into Nature Network Maps and Priority Ecology Networks (PENs) are:

1. 25% of floodplain in low input meadow (which equates to almost 40,000 ha) within 25 years – this is based on our knowledge of potential and the scale we believe is necessary for functionality
2. 1,400ha of this to be as species-rich habitat in Favourable Conservation Status - to deliver high-nature-value floodplain habitats and to restore river systems. 

We are seeking funds to continue with this work and of course, we are continuing to collect information from interested individuals and groups. If you know of species-rich floodplain meadows, or restoration projects in the Welsh floodplain, are a floodplain land manager, farmer cluster, meadows group, or other organisation interested in floodplain meadows we’d love to hear from you.  Please get in touch with the project officer Caroline O’Rourke at caroline.orourke@open.ac.uk.

Additionally we have a specially trained Floodplain Meadows Partnership Ambassador working specifically in the South West Wales area, who may also be able to help. 

The work to date has been kindly funded by The Moondance Foundation.

Management and Restoration

Care for an existing meadow

Species-rich floodplain meadows require specific management techniques. With such a small area remaining in England and Wales appropriate management and the ability to spot and correct any issues are crucial to the conservation of this precious habitat. 
Further management guidance can be found here.

Create or restore a meadow

100 years ago, most river floodplains were used as meadows, and with a little work, most can be converted to flower-rich meadows now.

To find out if your land can support a species-rich meadow, you will need to know the soil type, its fertility and water regime. This is because the soil-water regime, topography, and fertility determine where different plant communities will grow.  There are several different methods for creating and restoring meadows and the best approach will depend on the existing conditions at your site.

Further guidance on restoring and creating floodplain meadows can be found here.