Norfolk & Suffolk Broads – Great Britain

Background Norfolk & Suffolk Broads

The Broads, located about 200 kilometres north-east of London and cover a total surface of 303 sq. km. They contain a total of seven rivers and 63 lakes, the most of them are less than 4 metres depth. Whereas the Norfolk Broads covers a surface of 160 sq. km, together with the five rivers, the 40 spacious, shallow lakes offer navigable waterways with a total length of 200 km. The landscape is affected by fens, reed and forests.

The broads are the largest protected wetland of Great Britain and offer a habitat of a wealth of wildlife, especially birds, as well as plants. Amongst the waterfowl, Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Coot (Fulica atra), Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus), Greylag Goose (Anser anser), Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) and Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) are found. Larger bird include Grey heron (Ardea cinerea), Cormorant, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Bittern. The rare Cetti´s Warbler (Cettia cetti) breeds in the area and the only breeding colony of Common Crane (Grus grus) in Great Britain is in the Broads. Among the rare insects, the dragonfly species Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isosceles) and the butterfly species Old World Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio machaon) are found here.

Today many of the European wetlands suffer from eutrophication, a fertilisation of the water through nutrient enrichment, mainly phosphates and nitrates, causing algae to grow at such a rate that they become dominant.

Project measures Norfolk & Suffolk Broads

Therefore, the rehabilitation of such areas is of utmost importance, and the scientific knowledge and expertise of the Broads Authority is of great help. Another goal of the Broads Authority is sustainable development in the tourism sector.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust was established in 1926 and is the oldest of the 47 wildlife trusts throughout the UK. It has more than 35,000 members and works for the survival and enhancement of Norfolk''s wildlife and countryside. NWT owns and manages almost 5,000 hectares on 60 sites throughout the County including internationally important nature reserves such as Cley Marshes, Ranworth Broad, and Hickling Broad, the largest expanse of open water in the Broads.

The Norfolk & Suffolk Broads are also member in the national network “UK and Ireland Lakes Network“. Further information is available under: www.ukandirelandlakes.org