Editing Redgrave and Lopham Fens (section)

==Ecology==
The habitats present at Redgrave and Lopham are characteristic of areas of [[Bog|valley mire]]. This ecosystem creates a zonation of vegetation types, producing a diverse range of habitat. Dry marginal woodland becomes fen grassland, dominated by [[Molinia caerulea|purple moor-grass]], which grades into mixed fenland of reed and sedge beds. This grassland is particularly notable at Redgrave and Lopham for its areas of saw sedge (''[[Cladium mariscus]]'').

Into these areas of fenland protrude sandy ridges covered in [[Heath (habitat)|heath]] vegetation. Without management these communities become invaded by [[sallow]] and develop into [[scrubland]]. To maintain site diversity, this has been allowed to occur in some areas of the fen.<ref name=rsramsar/>

[[Image:Cladium mariscus.jpeg|thumb|250px|left|''Cladium mariscus'']]
These habitats maintain a community of plants and animals, with the site being particularly known for its diversity of [[invertebrate]] species. Surveys have identified nineteen species of [[dragonfly]]<ref name=SWT5>{{cite web|url=http://www.suffolkwildlife.co.uk/nr/rlf/DragonfliesofRLFen.htm |title=Dragonflies of the fen |publisher=[[Suffolk Wildlife Trust]] |access-date=16 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813080538/http://www.suffolkwildlife.co.uk/nr/rlf/DragonfliesofRLFen.htm |archive-date=13 August 2009 }}</ref> and 27 species of [[butterfly]]<ref name=SWT6>{{cite web|url=http://www.suffolkwildlife.co.uk/nr/rlf/ButterfliesatRedgraveLophamFen2006.htm |title=Butterflies of Redgrave & Lopham Fen |publisher=[[Suffolk Wildlife Trust]] |access-date=6 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813080533/http://www.suffolkwildlife.co.uk/nr/rlf/ButterfliesatRedgraveLophamFen2006.htm |archive-date=13 August 2009 }}</ref> at the fen, which has also long been recognised for its nationally important population of the fen raft spider (''[[Dolomedes plantarius]]'').

Further surveys have also found 26 species of mammals, including [[lutra lutra|otter]], [[Pipistrellus pipistrellus|pipistrelle bats]] and introduced species such as the [[Hydropotes inermis|Chinese water deer]].<ref name=SWT7>{{cite web|url=http://www.suffolkwildlife.co.uk/nr/rlf/MammalsofRedgraveLophamFen2006.htm |title=Mammals of Redgrave & Lopham Fen |publisher=[[Suffolk Wildlife Trust]] |access-date=6 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622114221/http://www.suffolkwildlife.co.uk/nr/rlf/MammalsofRedgraveLophamFen2006.htm |archive-date=22 June 2008 }}</ref> The site has also recorded 4 species of amphibian and 4 species of reptile<ref name=SWT8>{{cite web|url=http://www.suffolkwildlife.co.uk/nr/rlf/AmphibiansReptilesofRedgraveLophamFen2007.htm |title=Amphibians & Reptiles of Redgrave & Lopham Fen |publisher=[[Suffolk Wildlife Trust]] |access-date=6 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813080528/http://www.suffolkwildlife.co.uk/nr/rlf/AmphibiansReptilesofRedgraveLophamFen2007.htm |archive-date=13 August 2009 }}</ref> and a 2006 survey recorded 96 species of bird visiting the fen.<ref name=SWT9>{{cite web|url=http://www.suffolkwildlife.co.uk/nr/rlf/RLFenBirds2006.htm |title=Birds of Redgrave & Lopham Fen 2006 |publisher=[[Suffolk Wildlife Trust]] |access-date=6 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624051713/http://www.suffolkwildlife.co.uk/nr/rlf/RLFenBirds2006.htm |archive-date=24 June 2008 }}</ref>