Property:Monitoring surveys and results
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K
The main channel mowing strategy leads to a division between a vegetated and an unvegetated zone in the stream profile. The vegetated area is observed to accrete, while the unvegetated area is observed to erode. Macroinvertebrate counts and water levels are still being monitored. +
The meander has started to get overgrown because of the high nutrient load in the water. The water authority has chosen not to intervene yet, as they expect that this a temporary situation to which the stream will eventually adjust. +
H
The minimal intervention system naturalisation approach on the upper and lower Howgill Beck, pioneered through this project, has succeeded in restoring both natural channel and valley bottom form and associated hydrological, hydraulic processes and sediment dynamics. As such the system is now completely self-sustaining, requiring no human intervention to continue to develop and diversify as a dynamic system. This dynamism has been key to the success of the project with the fluvial processes operating to progressively enhance the overall quality and functioning of the system. The proof of the project’s success is provided by the dramatic biotic response. Waders have been monitored around Lower Howgill Beck using standard Brown & Shepherd methodology, and we have recorded the highest number of Redshank since 2016 increasing 1 pair to 5 pairs in the 2024 breeding season. Two pairs of Oystercatchers have successfully bred along Howgill Beck since the completion of project works in 2022 with the last breeding attempt in this compartment being 2016. Two pairs of Common Sandpiper have nested each year since the completion of works: a first for this compartment. Flood events over Winter helped deposit finer gravels in the channels, developed the flowing wetland, and shaped shallow silty edge habitat, all essential bathing and foraging areas, especially for wading birds and chicks. The shallows of the beck and the flowing wetland are used by wading birds and their chicks including Redshank, Lapwing, Curlew, Oystercatcher and Snipe as well as Dipper and Kingfisher.
Incidental records also provide valuable data; a single walked transect (480m) through the Lower Howgill project area during a very dry spell in June 2023 recorded 31 Snipe, illustrating how resilience of the project area. Otter spraint was also recorded on one of the channels along with two Four Spotted Chasers in a newly created pool. 11 species of Odonata have also been recorded within restored project areas including the first records of Broad-bodied Chaser (1 record in 2023 and 1 record in 2024) and the first record of a Black-tailed Skimmer since 2006.
Aquatic vegetation surveys along the new water courses have taken place annually to ascertain species and relative coverage. Current species present include various pondweeds (Potamogeton spp.), Common Water starwort (Callitriche stagnalis), Common Water-crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis) and Brooklime (Veronica beccabunga) with plant numbers and extent increasing significantly from the pre-restoration baseline state.
In January 2025 during an extended period of sub-zero temperatures the flowing wetlands were still functioning. The Upper Howgill Beck area held 21 Snipe in the flowing wetland and associated seepage pools along with 1 Woodcock, 6 Teal and 4 Mallard due to the suitable foraging opportunities. A further 16 were recorded in the Lower Howgill Beck project area (peak count of 55 Snipe was recorded for this compartment in October 2022).
Nine sightings of Great White Egret have been recorded at Geltsdale within the project area: five of these were in 2024 and all but one have been since the completion of the project.
R
The monitoring show an increase of the habitats diversification especially in terms of flow velocity and depth. Regression for mineral substrates (clogging) in favor of more coarse mineral substrates (favorable for spawning) is observed. +
E
Elimination of a pond along the Erve River and conservation of the historical heritage in Sainte-Suzanne-et-Chammes +
The natural evolution of the river is monitored by the River board which may decide to intervene in certain areas, if necessary.
The pre-works monitoring was carried out in 2010 outside the zone of influence of the former reservoir and dealt with the benthic macrofauna (WFD- IBG biological index). No hydromorphological monitoring was done during the project.
Since the elimination of the flap gates in 2011, annual monitoring of the fish community (IPR index), the benthic macrofauna (WFD- IBG biological index) and diatoms (IBD index) has been carried out. This monitoring work was undertaken inside the zone of influence of the former reservoir.
Visually speaking, the project is a success and the river rapidly carved out its bed in the area previously occupied by the reservoir. Vegetation colonised the banks, thus creating alternating zones of light and shade along the river. The flow patterns became more diversified and the previously uniform substrate now varies between sand, stones and large rocks. A general improvement in the fish and invertebrate compartments is due to the diversification of habitats in the former impounded reach (1.3 km).
The results of the macro-invertebrate and diatom indices are positive, including a significant improvement in the WFD- IBG biological index from 2012 to 2014. The level of quality for the index was quite high in 2014, with greater taxonomic richness and the presence of taxa more sensitive to pollutants.
For the IBD diatom index, the situation has remained stable since 2011, with a varied and balanced diatom community and high physical-chemical quality of the water, notably in terms of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous, suspended matter, etc.).
Monitoring of the fish community revealed a reduction in the number of species adapted to lentic environments (roach, bream) or those less sensitive to the quality of the environment (stone loach), and an increase in species adapted to lotic environments (bullheads, minnows). No juvenile trout were noted in the sector, an indication that the necessary reproductive conditions may not be available for the species. In 2014, no eels or brook lampreys had yet been observed on the site. Their absence may be due to the presence, downstream, of transversal structures that block the movement of the species.
This project opened up 2.6 km of river in the upper section of the Erve basin. River continuity nonetheless remains a serious problem because there are still 22 weirs downstream that block the movement of fish and the nearest is only 400 metres away.
R
The new Lower Rossåga power plant was commissioned on July 26, 2016, and the first fish studies in the river (juvenile fish recording by electrofishing from a boat) were carried out after about two months of operating the new water supply in the "Sjøforsløpet". A spawning fish count was carried out in mid-October. The juvenile fish records showed that juvenile salmon had already taken up the new river stretch, and the relative density was almost as high as in the best production areas further down the river. The spawning fish count showed that well over 50 salmon, or approx. 30% of all salmon observed in Rossåga stayed in the "Sjøforsløpet" during the spawning season. +
The new gravel islands enhance the landscape and the Danube as a natural habitat. The LIFE Nature project has linked dry old tributaries to the Danube once again and created refuges for fish fauna. The higher reaches of the slopes which lead down to the Danube are predominantly forested and are of special significance as protection and recreational forests. Dry grasslands & grassy slopes
64ha of forests have been transformed into natural forests and sustainable management has been established for 80 ha of dry meadows. The project has undertaken intensive media work and networking activities with experts from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, and Poland. The project was awarded first prize in the ‘Milestones - Dr. Erwin Pröll future prize’ in the ‘In Uniso with Nature’ category.
Further information on the monitoring can be found in the project websites and additional links (see references) +
K
The number of species causing an increase in upstream water level has declined. +
S
The original stream valley vegetation has re-established eitself in the area. As a consequence, the rare brook lamprey (Dutch: beekprik) can now be found in the stream again. Water retention has increased as well, so that downstream peak discharges and erosion can be mitigated. +
The original stream valley vegetation types have started to recover after the measure was implemented. The water retention capacity of the stream has improved as well. +
N
The outcomes of the project are planned to be the following:improving water quality and river and floodplain habitats. +
The outcomes of the project are planned to be the following:improving water quality and river and floodplain habitats. +
The outcomes of the project are planned to be the following:improving water quality and river and floodplain habitats. +
The outcomes of the project are planned to be the following:improving water quality and river and floodplain habitats. +
The outcomes of the project are planned to be:
improving water quality and river and floodplain habitats. +
The outcomes of the project are planned to be:improving water quality and river and floodplain habitats. +
The outcomes of the project are planned as the following:improving water quality and river and floodplain habitats. +
The outcomes of the project are the following:improving water quality and river and floodplain habitats. +
H
The outlet of the stream has become richer in great manna grass and sludge. The stream remains within its planned meandering zone. The lower temperature proves suitable for species that prefer higher flow velocities, like fish and dragonflies. +
C
The overall scheme has an integrated maintenance and management plan, while wetland has separate maintenance and management plan written by Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and with prime focus of this being simplicity of management. With both plans integrated as part of site’s long term maintenance, this will ensure as the site develops and establishes, appropriate management will be conducted by agreed respective parties, to ensure in the long term the flood basin remains a functioning flood risk asset, but also an important new local wildlife and amenity resource for future.
Fixed point photography overlooking the new wetland has been installed on neighbouring flats which will monitor the establishment of newly constructed scheme.
The new wetland is also attracting interest from local monitoring groups, including Greater Manchester birders through Winter Wetland Bird Blitz organized by Greater Manchester Ecology Unit and results will be updated to the Greater Manchester Records Centre.
The University of Salford are also keen to monitor the wetland as part of their future courses for environmental studies. +