| Rivers, Streams & Associated Habitats Action Plan - SW |
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{image} SW
Resource Breakdown:2
1Action for biodiversity 2SW Biodiversity Audit (1996) |
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Definition1 All flowing and semi-flowing water courses (down to the point where saline influence becomes dominant) streams and river-dependent habitats such as backwaters and oxbows; chalk rivers and winterbournes; tufa springs and spring-fed mires in head-waters systems; and artificial channels such as rhynes and ditches. Current Extent1 In the South West the total length of this resource is estimated to be <40,000 km. According to the NRA's General Quality Assessment Scheme (GQA) many of the South West rivers are grade 'B' rivers i.e. of good water quality; the canals are graded as fair-bad ('D-F'). Floating vegetation of Ranunculus of plain and submountainous rivers and petrifying springs with tufa formations are listed in Annex I of the EC Species and Habitats Directive.Examples of important sites in the South West1
Habitat Loss1 Habitat loss in the region has principally been due to declines in water quality and quantity, whilst in some areas habitat quality is heavily influenced by maintenance activities such as dredging.Associated Species1 Mammals
Birds
Fish
Invertebrates
Plants
Current
factors affecting the habitat in the SW Industrial and agricultural pollution leading to nutrient enrichment and acidification are causing changes in plant and animal communities in specific areas Groundwater and surface water abstractions have significantly reduced
flow in certain rivers in the regions e.g. Malmesbury Avon, Kennet,
Wylye and Piddle. Low flows also lead to the siltation of spawning gravels,
thus reducing fish populations Intensive aquaculture leads to a disruption to habitat and hydrological
continuity, and an altering or geomorphology and flow regimes. Lack of knowledge and understanding of the status, distribution and
requirements of many of the habitats and species dependent on rivers
and streams; and the techniques and effects of river and floodplain
restoration UK biodiversity objectives and proposed targets UK Rivers and streams habitat statement Conservation Direction. Maintain and improve the quality, state and
structure of all UK rivers and streams and their associated floodplains.
UK Chalk Rivers Costed Habitat Action Plan: maintain the characteristic plants and animals of chalk rivers, including
their waterbourne stretches. South-west biodiversity objectives and proposed targets OBJECTIVE 1 OBJECTIVE 2 Increase understanding and knowledge of all river types, and the habitats and species dependent on them TARGET: by 2005 OBJECTIVE 3 Promote the sympathetic management of rivers and their floodplains TARGET: by 2005 OBJECTIVE 4 Increase general appreciation and understanding of the functions and values of rivers and streams TARGET: ongoing To date, six rivers in the region have been designated as SSSIs and possibly two are proposed SACs; many other SSSIs, SPAs, Ramsar Sites and pSACs include riparian and wetland habitats. Many of the region's watercourse are listed as County Wildlife sites and therefore receive an element of protection from the adverse effects of development. The Environment Agency has statutory powers over activities effecting rivers and their floodplains through Land drainage consents, Drought Orders, and the issuing of licenses to abstract and discharge. There are several Agency initiative including the production of strategic plans e.g. Regional Water Resources Strategy, Statutory Water Quality Objectives and Local Environment Action Plans (formerly Catchment Management Plans). A River and Wetlands county Biodiversity Action Plan has recently been prepared by the Devon Wildlife Trust. Local Authorities have a statutory duty under Regulation 37 of the Habitat regulations to have policies which encourage the management of rivers and are including policies in local plans which recognize the importance of rivers and their floodplains to the whole community. There are several river restoration projects within the region including the Bristol Frome Action Plan, the Tone Action Plan and the Brinkworth restoration project. MAFF's agri-environment schemes are potential financial incentives to set aside land adjacent to watercourses as buffer zones. restoration and management of water meadows is a principal target in the Salisbury Avon Valley ESA, and the management of rhynes and ditches is an integral part of the Somerset Levels and Moors ESA scheme. MAFF's Water Fringe Habitat Scheme is being piloted in tow areas in the Region: the Slapton Ley catchment, Devon, and the Wylye and Nadder valleys, Wiltshire. However, take up in the former has been low, possibly due to insufficient financial incentives. Some progress is being made towards the resolution of flood defence, land drainage and conservation issues through conservation strategies between EN and the Environment Agency for river-SSSIs and the production of Water Level Management plans; these plans are particularly important in the Salisbury Avon valley and in the Somerset Levels and Moors. Policy and legislation
Seek to review and amend as appropriate, financial support systems
(e.g. agri-environment schemes) for sensitive land management (by 2005) Seek to review methods of cost: benefit analysis to maximise environmental opportunities provided by Flood Defence Capital Schemes (by '98) LEAD: MAFF Actively lobby for sufficient resources for effective management
(ongoing) Management
Complete notification of SSSIs and continue work on SAC designation
(by 2004) Ensure Water Quality Objectives are met in key sites and meet
requirements of dependent species (by 2002) Ensure flows are sufficient to sustain characteristic ecosystems,
particularly in key sites (by 2010) Encourage and increase the uptake of support mechanisms for target
sites, especially SSSIs (by 2005) Implement river and floodplain restoration schemes (ongoing) Work in partnership with drainage authorities to achieve sympathetic
management (ongoing) Encourage Local Biodiversity Action Plans to target areas for restoration (ongoing) LEAD:ALL Ensure Water Level Management Plans achieve desired conservation objectives (by 2005) LEAD: EA, EN Ensure local action plans recognise the importance of river floodplains
and afford protection to features, species and flow regimes in development
control decisions (ongoing) Ensure abstraction consents, drought orders and licenses of entitlement
do not compromise the ecology of affected watercourses (ongoing) Ensure LEAPs and LA plans contain adequate statements to protect,
maintain and enhance biodiversity (by 2000 ) and that necessary actions
are properly resourced(by 2005) Develop criteria for defining rivers and streams as County Wildlife
Sites and review as necessary Advisory Create suitable demonstration sites for best working practice
techniques e.g. on nature reserves by 2000
Research and monitoring
Quantify/qualify extent of resource and develop/review priorities
for conservation and rehabilitation (link to National Plan) (by 2000) Identify target sites for conservation and restoration (by 2000) Continue River Habitat Survey and other surveys (fish, invertebrates).
Collate information and fill gaps (by 2000) Research to establish ecologically acceptable water quality and
flows (target habitats and species of conservation concern) (ongoing) Target research/survey/monitoring to investigate problems and
establish priorities for conservation and rehabilitation and assess
effectiveness (by 2000) Review/establish Research and Development programmes and publish
results (ongoing) Education and awareness raising
Promote wise use of water through publicity and public information
campaigns, metering, etc (by 2005) Increase general understanding and appreciation of threats facing
rivers and streams using promotional events and leaflets (by 2010) Encourage appropriate recreational use (ongoing) LEAD: EA, LAs
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