A METHOD TO IDENTIFY CHALK RIVERS AND ASSESS THEIR NATURE-CONSERVATION VALUE |
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| Authors: | P A Smith BSc PhD J Dosser BSc MSc C Tero BSc MSc MIEEM N Kite BSc MIEEM |
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| Affiliation: | Member, The Graduate School, Anglia Polytechnic University, UK.;Principal Adviser, Applied Environmental Research Centre Ltd, Colchester, UK.;Team Leader Conservation, Environment Agency, Lincoln, UK.;Conservation Officer, Environment Agency, Lincoln, UK. |
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| Abstract: | Chalk rivers have been identified as providing an important habitat for a number of species; however, there are no formal defining criteria, and designation is problematical. This paper defines a chalk river and describes a methodology for identification, using information which is routinely collected by the Environment Agency. The general approach is suitable for a variety of areas within the UK and, for illustrative purposes, has been applied to LincoInshire. To demonstrate an application of this method, the nature-conservation value of Lincolnshire chalk rivers was assessed. Compared with other chalk-river systems in the UK, the Lincolnshire rivers were found to contain fewer species of macrophytes, invertebrates and mammals but a comparable diversity of fish. |
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| Keywords: | Base-flow index chalk rivers micro low flows nature conservation |
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