| Rivers, Streams & Associated Habitats - Wiltshire |
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| Extent/Distribution Where they remain, the mosaic of habitats in and around rivers and streams supports a diverse range of plants and animals, many of which have very precise requirements. Important floodplain habitats in Wiltshire include fen and swamp communities, 'lowland wet grassland' (floodplain grazing marsh including water meadows), carr woodlands, open water bodies which are directly linked to the water course, such as hatchery ponds and watercress beds, and linear bankside reedbed fringes. Most of Wiltshire's rivers, especially the chalk streams, have been managed for a variety of reasons for many centuries. They are intensively used to convey flood waters and discharges, to provide water for public, agricultural and industrial use, and are a popular recreational resource, however, most have retained some wildlife interest and some are of national and international importance. Given the value of these systems to us and the complexity of issues affecting them, coordinated action is vital to ensure that their wildlife value is conserved and enhanced. Several of Wiltshire's rivers are of national or European importance. The Salisbury Avon is an internationally important cSAC for its floating Ranunculus (water crowfoot) communities and populations of salmon, bullhead, brook and sea lamprey and Desmoulin's whorl snail. Areas of swamp habitat alongside the River Kennet at Chilton Foliat are also designated as cSAC for their populations of Desmoulin's whorl snail. Much of the Salisbury Avon and River Kennet are designated as SSSIs in recognition of the habitats and species they support. In addition there are a number of adjacent SSSIs which support associated habitats such as water meadow, swamp, marsh and reedbed, such as Britford Water Meadows, Porton Meadows, Lower Woodford Water Meadows and Jones' Mill. The Bristol Avon is of local importance for Lodden pondweed and Odonata, particularly scarce chaser and white-legged damselfly, whilst the By Brook supports water crowfoot, native crayfish and dipper. All main rivers are recognised County Wildlife Sites. There is approximately 850 km of 'main river' in Wiltshire with a further extent of 'ordinary water course' . A 1995 study estimated there to be approximately 2,525 ha of lowland wet grassland in Wiltshire, in 53 blocks ranging in size from 9 ha - 371 ha (only blocks greater than 5 ha were considered ). The majority of these sites were identified through air photo interpretation, so no qualitative information is available with which to assess their nature conservation value. No figures are available for wet woodlands (willow and alder carr) or fen and swamp habitat, including reedbeds.
1. Maintain and enhance the characteristic biological diversity and natural features of all rivers and streams and their associated floodplain habitats. 2. Restore to a favourable condition rivers which have been adversely affected by, for example, past dredging or other unsympathetic engineering works. 3. Maintain existing water quality in all rivers and streams and improve where possible. 4. Continue to conduct research and monitoring to improve our knowledge and understanding of riverine and floodplain habitats and species, their distribution and management. 5. Provide opportunities for education, access and awareness-raising initiatives at appropriate riverside sites. 6. Restore habitat to encourage the expansion of key species within their historic range. The species present. In Wiltshire there are nationally important examples of chalk streams and winterbournes with their water crowfoot beds and salmon and coarse fisheries, lowland clay rivers rich in higher plants and coarse fish and limestone rivers rich in calcium carbonate and with tufa depositing springs. [see above] [no information currently available]
Policy and legislation Ensure that all statutory water quality and discharge standards are met.LEAD: EA PARTNERS: DEFRA, EN, Water Cos Ensure that structure and development plan policies recognise the importance of protecting rivers and streams and associated wildlife and that water resources taken into account when allocating development. LEAD: LAs PARTNERS: EA, EN,WWT Promote SUDS and sustainable water technology in new development. LEAD: EA PARTNERS: EN, WWT Where appropriate, designate water courses and associated habitat as SSSI or WS. LEAD: EN, WWT PARTNER: SWSBRC Review targeting and funding levels of current incentive schemes - e.g. CSS and ESA - to promote biodiversity. LEAD: DEFRA PARTNERS: EN, EA, WWT Complete LEAPs, CAMS and ECAPs for each catchment area in Wiltshire and review in five years. (LEAPs are due to be phased out shortly). LEAD: EA Through review process ensure that flows and water quality are adequate to sustain key habitats and species. LEAD: EA/EN PARTNERS: WWT, ARK, WFA, Water Cos
Regularly review conservation strategies and consenting protocols
for SSSI to ensure they are meeting their objectives. Management
Implement river and floodplain restoration schemes where these will result in significant improvements. LEAD: EA PARTNERS: EN, WWT,WFA, Water Cos, ARK Complete outstanding WLMPs and ensure they achieve desired conservation objectives. LEAD: EA PARTNERS: EN, WWT Continue and expand Landcare Project in Salisbury Avon Catchment. LEAD: EA, MAFF PARTNER: EN, FWAG, CLA All other catchments to adopt measures to address issues of diffuse pollution using Landcare Project approach. LEAD: EA, MAFF PARTNERS: EN, FWAG,CLA, HA, LAs, WWT, Water Cos Encourage establishment of buffer zones alongside water courses (only using fencing where necessary and unavoidable). LEAD: FWAG PARTNERS: EA, EN, WWT, DEFRA Ensure CAMS take account of biodiversity importance of catchment. LEAD: EA PARTNERS: EN Environment Agency and local authorities to ensure own management and flood defence maintenance programme follows good practice guidelines. LEAD: EA PARTNERS: LAs Encourage control and eradication of riparian and aquatic alien species where possible. PARTNERS: FWAG,EA, WWT, EN, Angling Clubs . Research and monitoring
Identify and prioritise key areas for conservation and restoration on each catchment. LEAD: EA PARTNERS: EN, WWT,WSBRC, DEFRA Through EU LIFE project investigate: options for silt amelioration, habitat requirements of key SAC species, characterisation of Ranunculus communities. LEAD: EN PARTNERS: EA, WFA Collate and disseminate findings of research on effects of local restoration and rehabilitation schemes and develop best practice LEAD: EA PARTNERS: EN, WWT, WSBRC, ARK, WFA Monitor populations of key species and produce recommendations for action where need identified. LEAD: EA PARTNERS: EN, WWT, WSBRC, WFA Identify main diffuse pollution issues and sources for each catchment. EA, DEFRA Identify and prioritise key points in sensitive catchments which would benefit from the creation of buffer strips. LEAD: DEFRA Review effects of impoundments on migratory fish and address where needed. LEAD: EA Assess implications of climate change on flooding. LEAD: EA/LA Education and awareness raising
Promote good agricultural practice and farm waste management in all contact with landowners, in particular to tackle issue of diffuse pollution. LEAD: DEFRA, EA PARTNERS: EN,WWT, FWAG Organise demonstration days and events to promote sound river management and restoration for key habitats and species. LEAD: EA PARTNERS FWAG, WWT, EN, WFA, ARK Produce information and guidance to raise awareness of river issues, regulations and wise use of water amongst landowners and the public. LEAD:EA PARTNERS:EN, FWAG, WWT, WFA, Water Cos Encourage schools to use suitable river sites for educational purposes. LEAD:WWT PARTNERS:ARK, EA,WFA Develop advice specific to Wiltshire river catchments and promote through events and demonstration sites. LEAD:EA PARTNERS:WFA, EN, WWT, FWAG Encourage Local Authorities and developers to use SUDS. LEAD: EA PARTNERS: EN no information currently available |
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