Property:Monitoring surveys and results
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M
The project allowed to increase by 300 m the stream length and to raise the water level along 1 500 m. Ten hectares of wetlands have been restored, which are also a relevant flood storage area. Habitats diversity and functionality were increased and initial monitoring results are encouraging, however it is too early to assess the biological gains of the operation. +
E
The project appears to have been a success with many of the objectives being achieved. There is evidence of changes to the morphology and flow patterns in the newly enhanced channel. The channel is also free of any significant impoundments, with increases in gravel bedded habitats. There also appears to be a increases in the abundance and diversity of submerged and emergent macrophytes in the channel and along its margins. Fish populations of fish have also increased and it is hoped that one day there will be a self sustaining population. +
W
The project has only recently been completed and the full benefits have yet to be quantified. The willow and grass seed has started to grow following a mild autumn in 2018 and the integrity of the riverbank has been tested following a number of spate events in December 2018 and February/March 2019. A monitoring regime has been set up in order to assess the longer term performance of the scheme. +
I
F
The project is expected to implement its measures on a 12.5 km stretch of the meandering River Traisen with dynamic banks and natural riparian forest areas. It is also expected to create a new running water habitat at mean-flow of some 69 ha, where dynamic riparian development can take place. It is expected that diversity in habitat types will increase from 6% to approximately 100%. At least 40 fish species will benefit from this measure, of which 25 species are listed in annex II of the Habitats Directive.
In 2009, comprehensive biological investigations took place in the floodplain area. A number of plant and animal species from eight specific categories were examined for the surveys on the current status with regard to the environmental impact declaration. In the process it was revealed that the area is much more diverse than originally assumed, based on the data available. +
K
The project is in the very early evaluation stage focusing on stakeholder outreach, regional planning advice and technical advice in hydro-engineering and pumped hydro storage assessment.
Preliminary work suggests a short pipe line connection from the perched reservoir to the source of the River Ver could provide 3000 litres per second of flow support to the river for up to 30 days. +
W
The project is monitoring its progress against the project targets and its effects on the water courses.
Progress to 31st March 2014. Whole project targets in brackets.
223 farmers engaged (400)
176 whole farm plans completed (320)
49 farm infrastructure projects completed (150)
11.7km of riparian fencing erected with alternative stock watering (75km)
The ecological monitoring is in addition to the existing WFD monitoring conducted the EA. Full results are available from the Wye and Usk Foundation.
Headlines
- Measurable improvements in phytobenthos communities in catchments with over 80% landowner engagement
- 4 water bodies lifted to high status for fish.
- Widest ever distribution of Atlantic salmon in Herefordshire was recorded in 2013. Salmon found in Curl and Humber: 2 waterbodies previously too 'silty' to support salmonid spawning. +
T
The project is regarded by the partnership and other organisations as being extremely successful. Key evidence of this success includes:
* alongside fisheries surveys, botanical and invertebrate surveys, the partnership is U. The geomorphological surveys have highlighted minor adjustments that demonstrate that natural processes are operating as intended. H, it is provide of the ecological
* The project has enabled a sustainable partnership to be established between the different organisations that have been involved. The partnership continues to be very strong, with an established group of volunteers and several landowners (including the National Trust) expressing a strong interest in undertaking river restoration with the wider partnership on their land. The project team consider this to be an important indicator of a successful project.
* The MORPH project was the winner of the Professional Category in the prestigious Wild Trout Trust Conservation Awards 2013. In addition, the project was Highly Commended in the Sustainability and Environment Category of the Institution of Civil Engineers South East Engineering Excellence Awards 2013. This recognition by two leading independent bodies clearly demonstrates the success of the project in delivering real environmental benefits on the ground, successfully restoring natural processes, and raising the local profile of river restoration.
* This recognition is also reflected in the selection of the project to be showcased at the 2013 European River Restoration Conference and the 2013 River Restoration Centre Annual Networking Conference.
* Furthermore, the project has received coverage in the national press, being featured heavily in an article in the February 2014 The Environment Magazine entitled “Partnership Pays” published by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management.
* The project has been a high profile project in the Sussex area, receiving coverage in the local press, local blogs and websites along with being featured on the BBC News. Articles have also been published in the Mid Sussex Times and The Sunny Times for Buxted Park.
* The BBC South East Today news programme covered the project in November 2012 and held interviews with project team members at Spring Meadow, focussing on river restoration and ecology. The segment also included flyovers of the site pre-works.
* The Environment Agency and Royal HaskoningDHV have been presenting elements of the project to other areas of the Environment Agency South East region promoting the team’s achievements and promoting the good design, construction and programme management achievements.
* Tand project implementation, .
L
The project makes use of a selective placement method. It is assumed that groyne fields are identical, as such selective placement of shields makes it possible to test the effectiveness of the method. Shielded and unshielded groynes are monitored for the different BQEs. Monitoring and related studies were carried out by the Rijkswaterstaat Waterdienst Oost and by AquaTerra-KuiperBurger. All monitoring data is property of Rijkswaterstaat Netherlands.
'''Benthic Invertebrates'''
Benthic invertebrates were monitored in 2006 and 2008. The conclusions from the monitoring is that there are no significant differences between the groyne fields that are shielded by the rows of poles and those that are not. This leads to the conclusion that the measure does not have the desired effect on benthic invertebrates.
'''Nematodes'''
In contrast to the rest of the benthic groups the nematodes show clear differences between shielded and unshielded fields. The groyne fields that were shielded had a higher occurrence and taxa diversity than the unshielded fields. Also, between 2006 and 2008 an overall increase in nematodes was found in the shielded fields. The conclusion is easily drawn that nematodes are positively affected by the measure.
'''Macrophytes and phytobenthos'''
Macrophytes were monitored in both shielded and unshielded fields. Another hypothesis was tested by making enclosures of wire frames. This was done to eliminate possible grazing by water-birds. Results show strong signs of grazing in non-enclosed parts of the groyne fields. Macrophyte development has been limited, even in the enclosures. No clear difference in macrophyte occurence was found between shielded and unshielded areas. The conclusion is that the artificial structures do not promote the occurrence of macrophytes so far. It should be noted that more time may be needed for the desired effect to present itself.
'''Fish'''
The difference in fish composition and occurrence between the groyne fields (both shielded and unshielded) is quite large. This has led to difficulties in determining statistically significant effects. The general image is that some specific fish species are benefiting from the shields and are showing increase in presence of brood. The expectation is that with time the vegetation will develop further and with that the fish population will benefit as well.
Hydromorphological response was not monitored.
'''costs'''
Benthic invertebrates: 66 500.- Euro
Nematodes: 23 300.- Euro
Fish: 88 700.- Euro
Vegetation: 49 300.- Euro
Chemical: 9 500.- Euro
U
The project outputs are monitored through several approaches including repeat freshwater and terrestrial ecological surveying, soil nutrient, organic matter and carbon sequestration analysis, sediment storage analysis, hydrological monitoring of large interventions, fish surveying and redd counting and citizen science monitoring initiatives.
Work in the Ullswater catchment has comprised numerous small-scale farm-based interventions through to larger strategic works to naturalise the bigger watercourse and floodplain areas. To date 282 projects have been completed with a combined area of 843ha.
249ha of upland peat restoration has included 16,200 peat bunds, 12,000m of peat hag re-profiling and 21ha of sphagnum inoculation. Wood pasture restoration and creation covers 497ha and combined with 16km of hedgerow creation over 150,000 trees have been planted. Pond and wetland creation has resulted in 46ha of standing water habitat. River restoration has been carried out over 13.7km and includes small barrier removals, de-culverting, fish passes, stage 0 restoration, constrained restoration, and re-meandering.
Monitoring of the wider catchment works shows that where hedgerows and wood pasture have been created there has been a very swift response in earthworm numbers compared to adjacent sampling sites. Whilst there is no evidence of changes in nutrients or carbon storage, this would not be expected immediately. However, the partnership is committed to re-testing these sites on a 5-yearly basis. There is clear evidence through photographs and surveying of the new hedgerows and riparian restoration areas having a significant increase in flora with species such as Vetch, Red Campion, Dog Violet, and Greater Stitchwort’s now common. Where peat restoration has been carried out there is now a healthy fauna of Sphagnum Spp., Bog Asphodel, Cotton Grass, and Sundews present representing a healthy hydrology.
Three large river restoration projects have been carried out in the valley bottom. These projects have been heavily monitored for hydrology, sediment transport, fish, macrophyte and terrestrial ecology. The naturalisation aimed to restore form and process, rejuvenating a range of river types and associated valley bottom systems. The project completed at Hartsop Hall, over 2.1km, saw the wetted channel area increase from 1850m2 to 23,300m2. At Goldrill Beck the project, over 1.6km, saw the wetted channel area increase by 21,590m2. Hydrological data shows that the impact on flood flows has been a mean event lag time increase of 41.3 minutes, with some events having an event lag time increase of 90 minutes. Coarse sediment is also now being stored across the valley bottom with repeat survey showing that more than 2000 m3 of sediment has been stored on one site. The original species-poor assemblage of rush pasture and semi-improved grassland has been disturbed and the vegetation has begun to diversify. The newly formed gravel bars are hosting the greatest diversity of plants, as species that are suited to disturbance and early colonisation are taking advantage. Species such as Corn Spurrey, Bottle Sedge, Fox Glove, and Devils Bit Scabious are increasing in prevalence across the sites, with the partnership now pursuing an expansion of Devils Bit Scabious habitat across the valley prior to a Marsh Fritillary Butterfly re-introduction. Several bird and butterfly species have been recorded on the river restoration sites for the first time, including Jack Snipe, Great White Egret and Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary Butterfly.
W
The project site is being monitored by the Piscatorial Society. Monitoring involves invertebrate sampling, electro-fish survey and fixed point photography. Results have yet to be analysed. +
N
The project then has made concrete interventions naturalistic engineering and maintenance of natural forests designed to initiate a process of recovery now cannot be extended.
The actions, even if localized, will bring a significant improvement in natural environments involved, with the consequent benefit to the species of animals and plants that they also host leading to increased intrinsic biodiversity habitats and encouraging the preservation of animal and plant species included in the Directive. +
R
The project will be monitored. +
T
Transboundary Management Programme for the planned 5-country Biosphere Reserve “Mura-Drava-Danube” - COOP MDD +
The project’s main result will be the established strategic and operational framework for joint management of the planned TBR MDD. Cooperation between 10 Protected Areas and their stakeholders within the planned TBR MDD will be intensified and made operational, improving the connectivity of stakeholders, institutional structures and local authorities in this important ecological corridor. By jointly developing the Transboundary Management Programme, and the Transboundary MDD Action Plan, at least 100 members of protected area authorities and 800 other stakeholders from protected areas (sectoral agencies, NGO’s, interest groups, schools, etc.), as well as the local population will directly benefit from established or improved long-term cooperation, but also in raised awareness and knowledge on TBR management, and in improved acceptance of the TBR MDD by cross-sectoral stakeholders and inhabitants of the area. The intensified cooperation of stakeholders in the planned TBR MDD will in the long term result in a well-managed functioning TBR MDD, ensuring well preserved and managed dynamic natural river courses within the riverine landscape, leading to improved status of water bodies, habitats and species populations defined in river basin and Natura2000 management plans. +
D
The recolonization of the new stream stretch by sea trout will be monitored from 2021. +
R
The remeandering works allowed to multiply by three the length of the Drésine . The piezometric monitoring shows that the groundwater table has raised by 50 cm. The restoration of the marsh water regime has allowed the recolonization by several species formerly present (especially Odonata, Lepidoptera, red frogs and birds). The self re-vegetation of the restored meanders provided a cooling effects on waters and contributed to the diversification of flows, favorable for aquatic fauna. A better structured population of trout and a high number of smolts were also observed. +
The removal of the dam of Saint-Étienne-du-Vigan allow to restore the fish continuity and the sediment transport. From the winter of 1998, spawning sites were observed upstream of the dam. +
O
The restored reach provides a range of flow velocities and habitats with a reported increase in wild brown trout and a reduction in the Estate’s necessity to stock. The pre and post-restoration macro-invertebrate communities have been monitored by Southampton University, with results expected in Autumn 2014. +
B
The results of dead wood introduction are not yet known. It is clear, though, that they cannot function as cascades. The combined effect of the two measures described above is a greater structure variation and a faster base flow. +
G
The results of four years of monitoring data from pressure transducers at the up and down stream extents of the restoration are being analysed. Results will be added here once available. +