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.


Floodplain at Knepp Estate

For restoration advice please follow the links below:

Habitats

Ponds

Reedbeds

The Sussex Reedbed Project can provide you with advice on how to manage, create and restore reedbeds. Please contact the Sussex Reedbed Officer on :- (01273) 775333

Wet woodland and Woodland Management

If you have land available in a river valley and you think that you would like to plant a wood there, please contact SORP for a free site visit and advice or download the advice sheets below.

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

Floodplain Meadows and Washlands

Natural erosion control and wetland plants in coir fibre rolls

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