Aquatic and wetland
The condition of Aquatic Habitats across Lancashire varies significantly (as does the number of different ways to assess them). However, broadly speaking, they are not in good condition. 88% of Lancashire’s surface water bodies were classified as having ‘moderate’ water quality and all of our waterbodies failed in the Chemical Status of the Water Framework Directive Water Bodies assessment[i].
In respect of aquatic and wetland species, water voles have undergone one of the most serious declines of any wild mammal in Britain during the 20th century having been lost from 94% of places where they were once widespread[ii]. In Lancashire, although oystercatcher have shown an increase of 12%, our breeding curlew, lapwing and snipe are all in decline. The Ribble Rivers Trust use Trout and Salmon as indicators of catchment health, which allows identification of locations in poor condition. Both species are showing a concerning decline across the catchment.
To ensure continuity and integration of efforts to recover aquatic habitats and species, it is important to collaborate with our neighbouring authorities due to our connections with the Yorkshire Dales, South Cumbria Fells, Merseyside Conurbation and Mersey Valley.
Table 4: Pressures and opportunities for recovery (aquatic and wetland habitats)
Pressures |
Example habitats affected |
Broad species assemblages affected (including example species[1]) |
Opportunities identified |
|
Canals and ditches Flood plain meadows Grazing marsh Ground water Lowland fens Marsh Standing open water / Ponds Reedbeds Rivers Streams Upland flushes, springs, fens and swamps Wet woodland (also considered under the trees and woodland group). |
Flushes (including upland, lowland and wetlands) 41 shortlisted species including - Plants:
Standing open water (including ponds, canals and ditches) 29 shortlisted species including - Mammals:
Amphibians:
Plants:
Rivers and streams (including riverbanks and riverine sediments) 27 shortlisted species including - Mammals:
Fish:
Invertebrates:
Marsh (including upland, lowland, fen and reedbeds) 10 shortlisted species including - Birds:
|
Natural flood management solutions to slow the flow of water and attenuate flow Creation of wetter areas throughout our catchments Tree planting in the upper catchments and riparian planting Sustainable Drainage Systems Reduce diffuse and point source pollution entering our watercourses Reinstating our lost pond landscape in low lying areas Build on the successes of the Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) partnerships |
Table 5: Aquatic and wetland priorities, potential measures, and associated benefits
Priority |
Measures |
Shortlist species benefited[2] |
Benefits |
AW1. Enhanced existing river, stream and watercourse network and associated floodplains in Lancashire.
|
AW1.1 - Support the expansion of eels across the county for example by:
|
Fish:
|
National objectives and targets: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 Wider benefits:
Other linked LNRS Priorities: AW2, AW3. AW4, C1, C2, C3 G1, U1, U2, U4, W2
|
AW1.2 - Improve the extent and condition of floodplain habitats including floodplain meadows, damp grassland, grazing marsh, reedbeds, wet woodland and lowland fen. |
Flood plain habitats Mammals:
Birds:
Invertebrates:
Plants:
Reedbeds Mammals:
Birds:
Wet woodland Birds:
Plants:
|
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AW1.3 - Sensitive management of ditches and other watercourses for biodiversity for example by:
|
Mammals:
Amphibians
Invertebrates:
Plants:
|
||
AW2. Natural river processes restored, with habitats connected along water courses and between their flood plains.
|
AW2.1 - Increase the multiplicity and structural diversity of water course corridors to include multiple and sinuous channels, the natural supply of sediment, woody material and gravel management. |
Mammals:
Fish:
Invertebrates:
|
National objectives and targets: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 Wider benefits:
Other linked LNRS Priorities: AW1, AW3, AW4, C1, C2, C3, G1, G2, P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, W2, U1, U2, U3, U4 |
AW2.2 - Remove or redesign artificial structures impacting natural processes of water courses including culverts, weirs, revetments, embankments and installation of fish passage solutions. |
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AW2.3 - Re-meandering of reaches of straightened and artificial modified channels of rivers and streams. |
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AW3. A restored and connected healthy freshwater and wetland landscape in Lancashire.
|
AW3.1.1 - Restoration of Lancashire's lost pond landscape AW3.1.2 – Rotational pond management to preserve marginal, emergent and submerged vegetation. |
Mammals:
Birds:
Amphibians:
Plants:
|
National objectives and targets: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16 Wider benefits:
Other linked LNRS Priorities: AW1, AW2, AW4, C1, C2, C3, P1, P2, P3 P4, P5, P6, W1, W2, U2, U3, U4 |
AW3.2 - Appropriate canal management to protect and maintain bankside, marginal, emergent and submerged vegetation. |
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AW3.3 – Expand and enhance fens, reedbeds, springs, flushes, marshes, marsh fen and ephemeral waterbodies. |
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AW3.4 - Restore and reconnect fragmented canal network. |
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AW4. Catchments resilient to water quantity extremes.
|
AW4.1 - Install woody material, including leaky dams to promote natural processes and provide habitat for a range of aquatic species. |
Mammals:
Fish:
Invertebrates:
|
National objectives and targets: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16 Wider benefits:
Other linked LNRS Priorities: AW1, AW2, AW3, C1, C2, C3, G3, P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, W2, U1, U2, U4 |
AW4.2 – Create biodiverse sustainable drainage systems incorporating habitats such as swales, ponds, wetlands and reedbeds. |
Amphibians:
Invertebrates:
Plants:
|
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AW4.3 - Sustainable abstraction plan for agriculture and horticulture in Lancashire. |
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AW4.4 - Bioengineering and nature-based solutions for moderation of water flows, such as reedbed filters, living dams, living revetments, tree and hedge planting and kested hedgerows. |
As above, also: Birds: For example,
|
[1] For the full list of the 534 species that have been identified as the most threatened or locally significant to prioritise for recovery action see the Evidence and Technical Information document – Appendix Ten
[2] For the full list of the 534 species that have been identified as the most threatened or locally significant to prioritise for recovery action see the Evidence and Technical Information document – Appendix Ten
[i] England | Catchment Data Explorer (Environment Agency) and River water quality - Lancashire County Council
[ii] People's Trust for Endangered Species