Freshwater
Why might you need freshwater surveys?
Why might you need freshwater surveys?
In addition to otter and water vole, there are a number of other species of flora and fauna that are protected by UK legislation or listed as species of national or local importance that may need to be considered as part of a development or other works that affect a watercourse. These include:
Freshwater Pearl Mussel Freshwater pearl mussel are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981 as amended), which makes it an offence to intentionally kill, injure or take them and to intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to any place used by the species for shelter or protection or to disturb them while they are using such a place. They are also a National Priority species.
White-Clawed Crayfish White-clawed crayfish receive partial protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981 as amended). This makes it an offence to take a white-clawed crayfish from its habitat and to sell, offer for sale, advertise for sale, possess or transport for the purposes of selling any live or dead white-clawed crayfish. They are also a National Priority species.
Non-native species, such as the signal crayfish, are listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981 as amended) and as such it is illegal to release or allow to escape into the wild these animals.
Fish In addition, there are a number of other key National Priority and Local Biodiversity Action Plan species present within the UK, including brown/sea trout, Atlantic salmon, European eel, river lamprey and sea lamprey.
All of these species, and others, are material considerations within the planning system and it is essential to assess when a proposed development may adversely impact these species either directly or indirectly through pollution or disturbance. As such, when works are proposed within or in close proximity to watercourses or waterbodies which are suitable to support these species, further survey work may be required.
Works within or adjacent to watercourses and waterbodies also have potential to impact on water quality and anyone undertaking such works has a responsibility to ensure that adverse impacts are avoided.
What should you expect to happen?
Preliminary Ecological Appraisal During the initial PEA survey, any watercourses or waterbodies will be assessed for their suitability to support fresh water pearl mussel, white-clawed crayfish and relevant National Priority or Local Biodiversity Action Plan species. Additional survey work will be recommended where potentially suitable watercourses or waterbodies are present nearby and may be affected by the works.
Freshwater Pearl Mussel Survey Detailed freshwater pearl mussel survey is carried out by two surveyors, working within the watercourse and using a bathyscope to view the bed of the watercourse and assess the suitability of the habitats present and checking for evidence of the species.
White-Clawed Crayfish Survey There are a number of different techniques that can be used to survey for white-clawed crayfish, including hand searching, trapping and torchlight survey. The survey methods used will depend on the nature of the habitat.
Electrofishing To assess fish populations within a watercourse, electrofishing can be undertaken. This is completed by at least two surveyors using electrofishing equipment to stun fish and catching them with nets. All captured animals are identified and measured, where possible, before being released. The detailed methodology employed will depend on the requirements of the scheme.
Macro-Invertebrate Survey An assessment of the water quality of a watercourse or waterbody can be made by surveying the macroinvertebrate population within it. Samples on invertebrates taken prior to, during and post works can indicate water quality through the period to show that adequate care has been taken to protect the feature. If enhancement works are proposed the survey can also show improvements in species diversity, which can be correlated with an improvement in water quality and habitats.
River Habitat Survey This can be used to undertake a general assessment of watercourses and can form part of a monitoring scheme for such habitats. The surveyors works from the bank and describe key features, including substrate, flow type and bankside vegetation, at set locations along the watercourse. This can be useful in determining important ecological and geomorphological features within a watercourse that should be protected or enhanced as part of works.
