River and wetland Restoration
Many river floodplains have been drained, river channels straightened, deepened and engineered, and rivers cut off from their natural floodplains. Abstraction, development, agriculture, pollution and more recently, drought and climate change have all taken their toll on Sussex rivers and wetlands. Many wildlife species historically associated with wetlands have suffered, including a number of significant wading birds, mammals and plants. Rivers can be 'rehabilitated' to try and restore some of their natural functions and wetland habitats.
For retstoration advice please follow the links below:
- River and wetland restoration guide for landowners
- The Manual of River restoration techniques
- The Wetland Restoration Manual from www.nhbs.com.
Habitats
Ponds
- SORP pond webpage
- Planting up ponds (pdf 165KB)
- Problem pond plants (pdf 115KB)
- Good wildlife ponds (pdf 55KB)
- Pondlife pond book . Costs £17 per copy including p&p (£22 overseas).
- Froglife All you need to know about amphibians and reptiles
Large Woody Debris
Woody debris, such as fallen trees, large branches, twigs and leaves, can be seen as a 'nuisance' in watercourses and is often removed. Woody debris is however a vital component of rivers and streams.
The booklet 'Managing Woody Debris in Rivers and Streams' is for farmers, wetland landowners, site managers, anglers, foresters, local authorities and policy makers and aims to promote best practice in rivers and watercourse management by dispelling the myths and summarising the latest key thinking.
Invasive plants
- All choked up (pdf 515KB)
- Non native species
- Centre of Ecology and Hydrology
This website offers advice on the control of a number of different aquatic plants. - Wetland Plants - their function and management
