Case study:Craigton Riparian and NFM Orchard Planting
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Project overview
| Status | Complete |
|---|---|
| Project web site | http://www.cress.stir.ac.uk/allanwater/ |
| Themes | Economic aspects, Fisheries, Flood risk management, Habitat and biodiversity, Social benefits |
| Country | Scotland |
| Main contact forename | Lawrence |
| Main contact surname | Belleni |
| Main contact user ID | User:Lbelleni |
| Contact organisation | The Conservation Volunteers and the Centre for River Ecosystem Science |
| Contact organisation web site | http://www.tcv.org.uk/scotland |
| Partner organisations | |
| Parent multi-site project | |
| This is a parent project encompassing the following projects |
No |
Project summary
Craigton Farm sits inside a large meander of the Allan Water between the villages of Ashfield and Kinbuck. The Allan Water has two large areas downstream of Craigton classified as Potentially Vulnerable Areas to flooding, including the downstream townships of Dunblane and Bridge of Allan. During flood events out of channel flow passes across the farm's fields, which has little rugosity to slow it down or hold it up.
Video footage of flood water flowing back into the Allan Water at the downstream side of the meander encompassing Craigton Farm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk-AUS_9r60
Objectives of the project were: to reduce the speed of the out of channel flow across the farm fields; restore and increase natural riparian habitat that will benefit terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity; increase the opportunity for woody debris interaction in the river system that will benefit fisheries and habitat diversity; create an area of enhanced natural beauty for local communities to enjoy; provide an opportunity for local people to be able to learn, manage and harvest a locally sustainable food resource through the Craigton Community Orchard Group; and an opportunity to engage with local residents about Natural Flood Management by obtaining local volunteers to carry out the tree planting.
Work carried out: 420 riparian tree species including downy birch, goat willow, osier, hawthorn, rowan and hazel were planted on the banks of the Allan Water at Craigton Farm inline with where water breaches over the bank at the upstream end of the meander, and where flood water flows back into the river at the downstream end. 300 trees were planted on the upstream side and 120 on the downstream side. Trees were planted by volunteers with emphasis given to plant trees at random spacing and in dense clumps inline with out of channel flow pathways. The width of the tree planting is around 5m for the majority of the two sections, however inside a fenced area on the upstream side of the meander where remnant woodland exists that is planted up to 30m at points, bringing the planting area to around 0.5ha.
In addition, willow cuttings/whips 6-9inches long were collected from local willows and planted in parts of the river bank that would have a lot of flow interaction such as at the water's edge, on eroded bank faces or inline with out of channel flow pathways to increase rugosity without risking more valuable tree species.
23 orchard trees were planted in an old disused horse field in the flood pathway at the upstream side of the farm. The orchard was designed so that no distinct channels or rows were available for flowing water to rush through, but instead the flowing flood water would dissipate some energy by going through a ping-pong table style design of orchard tree rows, slowing the flow. Mound planting was used to elevate the root ball above the ground level to help protect the roots from being submerged for long periods in flood water and therefore affecting the orchard trees survival. Orchard trees were planted 10m apart to allow room for growth, and ease of access, maintenance and harvest in the future.
In addition, 105 wild harvest shrub species were planted in a similar ping-pong table style design, behind the orchard trees. The wild harvest trees create another obstacle for flowing flood water to pass through dissipating more energy. The field that comprises the orchard and wild harvest trees covers 1ha.
Challenges included managing volunteers to plant trees correctly and randomly; and continual maintenance and care of trees over the long term.
Thankfully a very cooperative landowner.
Funding: 420 wet woodland trees obtained through the Woodland Trust's Free Trees Grant; 23 orchard trees obtained from the Central Scotland Green Network's Orchard Grant Scheme; and 120 wild harvest obtained through the Woodland Trust's Free Trees Grant.
Monitoring surveys and results
Monitoring of the tree establishment success rate will be carried out.
Lessons learnt
Image gallery
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Catchment and subcatchment
Site
Project background
Cost for project phases
Reasons for river restoration
Measures
MonitoringHydromorphological quality elements
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Monitoring documents
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Supplementary InformationEdit Supplementary Information
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