Hydro-ecology

1986-2014

These are just a few examples of the many hundreds of projects undertaken during the past twenty-eight years for governmental, non-governmental and commercial organisations.

New Forest Mires, Hampshire for National Trust

The northern New Forest, Hampshire contains a series of valley mires owned by the National Trust. Valley mires are strongly acidic wetlands that form in peaty valleys and are one of the most characteristic and valuable habitats within the New Forest. We were engaged to undertake hydrological assessments of these valley mire systems in order to understand how they worked, where the water originated from and how the water contributed to and supported the wildlife habitats present. The studies provided the baseline scientific data to be used in developing management plans to ensure that these habitats are managed to best effect.

Alresford Pond SSSI, Hampshire

Medieval Alresford Pond has over many years become heavily silted leading to a significant decline in its habitat quality and the loss of many of its characteristic plants and wild creatures. In order to facilitate proposals for restoration of the lake, we were commissioned by Hampshire Wildlife Trust to undertake comprehensive desk study of what is known of the hydrology and hydro-ecology of the lake. Also, to investigate the water chemistry and sediment types present and their interactions, especially in regard to potential of plant nutrients given any restoration proposals such as by dredging.

Gupton Farm and Castlemartin Corse, Pembrokeshire (Soil and Water for National Trust)

The National Trust proposed to take part of their estate in Pembrokeshire out of tenancy and bring the management directly in hand. This was in order to restore part of the land back to wildlife habitat. The land comprised former sand dunes, dune slacks and related habitats that have been extensively damaged by intensive grazing and arable cultivation. In order to assess the range of potential habitats for restoration, we were engaged to undertake a very detailed soil survey of the land and to advise the Trust on the range of habitats that could be recreated. We found a vast range of soils ranging from dry sandy soils on one time sand dunes through very wet soils on spring lines and active water seepages to soils on deep peats. Cattle trampling of the wetter soils on slopes had opened up the springs leading to extensive gullying and soil erosion. The survey revealed the wide range of habitats that had been lost and indicated those areas where these habitats could be restored.

Slinden Estate (Chalk Soil Management for National Trust)

The National Trust recognises that knowledge of soils is very important in the management of both farmland and wildlife habitat. Also, that soil contains 'natural capital' essential to the functioning of land. The Trust were proposing to alter the management of part of their extensive chalkland Slinden Estate in West Sussex to better provide for a more diverse, mixed and sustainable agricultural land use. In order to better understand the function of soils in the sustainable management of their land, we were commissioned by the Trust to undertake detailed soil mapping, review the properties of the soil and advise on soil-based options for alternative land management. These studies have ensured that the Trust can take full account of soil properties in the sustainable management of their land for both agriculture and to enhance biodiversity.

Oaken Wood, Kent (Soils and Ancient Woodlands)

The Woodland Trust was concerned that proposals to fell this ancient woodland for quarrying would be against planning policies to conserve important woodlands. We were engaged to assess the significance of the developer's soil information and to present evidence at public inquiry in relation to the status of the soils in terms of their ancient woodland characteristics.

St Faith's Meadow, River Itchen SSSI, Winchester, Hampshire

Hampshire Wildlife Trust proposed to restore and manage St Faith's Meadow, part of the River Itchen SSSI, by removing hybrid poplar trees and invasive scrub and encouraging herb-rich wet grassland more typical of the riverside habitat. Local concern had been expressed that removing the trees and scrub could cause raised water levels on adjacent land and increase the potential risk of flooding of nearby properties. Our investigation of the land forms and hydrology of the site and an assessment of the potential hydrological changes resulting from the management proposals, demonstrated that adverse effects on adjacent housing were most unlikely.

Housing Development, Petersfield (Protected Reptiles)

We were engaged by the developer to assess the ecological implications of their development for retirement homes. The site was found to support a diverse population of protected reptiles and amphibians, especially slow-worms and lizards. We developed management strategies and collected up and protected wildlife moving them to safe locations nearby and so facilitating development of the land. All properties now sold.

Update February 2009 - Some recent wetlands projects have included:

The design of a new wetland area to enhance the biodiversity of a public park/recreation area in Waterlooville, Hampshire for Havant Borough Council.

A detailed hydrological and wetland survey of the wetter part of Monkmead Wood SSSI for Horsham District Council involving plotting of all surface waters, investigating the depth and type of peat deposits and relating these to the wetland vegetation, all to assist effective management of the site.

Detailed hydrological investigation of three large wetland sites for Guildford Borough Council at their Riverside, Stoke Water Meadows and Parsonage Water Meadows nature reserves including plotting all surface water and wetland areas, investigating substrate types and relating the site hydrology to site history and vegetation.

Detailed study of a small damaged wetland site in Netley where part of a fen area had used for access to a development site and including a scheme of wetland restoration back to marsh and open water.

Continued work at the former Highways Depot at Bar End, Winchester and which is now being developed by the Hampshire section of the international Emmaus charity as a new working community for the homeless. Here, the new balancing lagoon has been incorporated into a wider nature reserve area and is already supporting frogs and newts and was visited by a sparrow-hawk during a recent site visit. This is another site we have had many years association with and we are really pleased to see that the Emmaus 'Green Roof' project is now nearing completion.

Development of a management plan based on extensive site survey for an area of wetland and wet grassland/woodland being made over by David Wilson Homes (as part of their redevelopment of Leigh Park Hospital) to Fareham Borough Council. This area had become extensively overgrown with alder and willow woodland and part of the contract was to supervise clearance of the trees and further treatment of woody regrowth.

Investigation of Winnall Moors Nature Reserve for Hampshire Wildlife Trust as a contribution to their new management plan. This is a site we have worked on at various times in the past and which now has increased public access.

Detailed hydrological study of Moor Copse Nature Reserve/SSSI for the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust and which includes a range of meadows, open wetland, wet woodland, drains and ditches of high biodiversity value. Our studies here included a desk study, detailed site investigations and preparation of a set of options for creation of new wetland, woodlands and meadows.

A detailed hydrological and silting study of Lutcombe Pond for Hampshire County Council Countryside Service. This pond, part of a wider nature reserve in the East Hampshire Hangars and well appreciated local amenity, is suffering from excessively silting. Our studies investigated the hydrology of the pond and sources of silt and proposed ways of controlling the silt inflow while retaining habitat for critical invertebrate species.

Project: Greenham and Crookham Commons SSSI
Client: West Berkshire Council
Detailed surveys of vegetation, soils and hydrology of former American Airbase, management schemes provided for former balancing lagoons and detailed ecological management plan prepared for entire site.

Project: Hoads Wood Housing Application, Hastings
Client: Montague Developments, Prowting Projects
This large housing proposal was called in by the Secretary of State to allow a better consideration of the effects of the proposal on ancient woodland and a downstream wetland SSSI and nature reserve. Detailed assessments of the hydrology of the site were undertaken, a complex sustainable drainage scheme (SuDS) developed and evidence presented at Public Inquiry.

Project: Eelmoor Marsh
Client: Marwell Preservation Trust
Eelmore Marsh is owned by the Defence Research Agency at Farnborough and managed by research staff at Marwell Zoo as habitat for a free ranging herd of the rare Przewalski's Horse. Hydro-ecological studies of the acidic wetlands were made in order to ensure that the developing management plan was in accord with the scientific importance of the unusual mire habitats present.

Project: The Moors Bishop's Waltham Nature Reserve
Client: Hampshire County Council and Environment Agency
This nationally important nature reserve, well known for its rich alkaline fen fauna has now been surveyed in great detail to establish the hydro-ecological regime of the chalk water fed wetland habitats. This information is being used to assess the impact of the adjacent water pumping station.

Project: Emer Bog
Client: Hampshire Wildlife Trust, Test Valley Borough Council and Environment Agency
Various detailed field and desk studies of this wetland nature reserve SSSI and Special Area of Conservation to establish the extent of influence of of calcareous water inflows on the acidic habitats and the size of a development protection zone to ensure the hydrological protection of the site.

Project: Bagnum Bog, Kingston Great Common NNR
Client: English Nature
Hydro-ecological study of hydrology, chemistry, drainage, substrates and habitats in order to develop a soft engineering scheme to protect the main pond at this National Nature Reserve. The pond is threatened by upstream erosion of the historically straightened outlet drain and the proposals included diverting source waters and reducing erosion in the outlet stream.

Project: Cog Moors, Glamorgan
Client: Wallace Evans/Welsh Water
Detailed study of a floodplain and wet grassland / open drain complex proposed as the site of a new sewage pumping station.

Project: Wyver Lane Nature Reserve, Belper, Derbyshire
Client: Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
Hydrological study of a seasonal lake within floodplain to determine water sources and methods of water level control.

Project: Rushy Platt Nature Reserve
Client: Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
Hydro-ecological study of wetland nature reserve between urban areas, a canal to be re-opened and a high railway embankment with objective of assisting reserve management.

Project: Hardham and District, West Sussex
Client: Southern Water
Very detailed desk study of known information on wetlands and open waters with a wide study area and also including other ecological and archaeological data as part of an environmental impact study for a major groundwater recharge scheme.

Project: Foxley Wood New Town
Client: Nature Conservancy Council
Bramshill Plantation is within an extensive gravel pit containing a wide range of ponds (now SSSI) that are exceptionally rich in aquatic fauna and flora, especially dragonflies. The Nature Conservancy Council (now English Nature) opposed the development of a new town within the quarry which would have threatened the ponds. Detailed investigations were undertaken (on behalf of the Nature Conservancy Council) of the ponds and catchment, of the development proposals and evidence given at public inquiry. The Secretary of State was minded not to approve the development.

Project: Lyndhurst Bypass
Client: Hampshire County Council
A private bill to develop a new bypass in the New Forest was being promoted through the House of Lords. Extensive surveys undertaken of wetlands along the route with assessments of grazing potential of exchange lands, and technical support provided to Counsel throughout the Select Committee.

Project: Sandhurst-Crowthorne Bypass Link Road
Client: Berkshire County Council
Extensive studies of hydrology, soils and peat deposits undertaken along SSSI section of route as part of feasibility study.

Project: Parley Court Farm Quarry, Dorset
Client: Private Mineral Operators
Detailed ecological, soil and hydrological studies undertaken of heathland SSSI to assess likely impact of proposed quarrying for sand and gravel.

Project: Eversley Quarry
Client Private Landfill Operators
Extensive very detailed hydro-ecological surveys, impact study and risk assessment of proposed landfill adjacent to valley mire and wet heathland SSSI and nature reserve (now cSAC) including long term groundwater monitoring from boreholes, surveys of site and SSSI and development of detailed ecological landscape scheme for heathland restoration.

Project: Blackmoor Quarry
Client: Nature Conservancy Council
Very detailed hydro-ecological study of wet heathland SSSI

Project: The Triangle: Proposed mineral working and landfill
Client: Opposition Group
Assessments made of wetlands and other habitats close to quarry and evidence of potential severe hydro-ecological impact presented to English Nature, Environment Agency and Planning Committee. Application refused.

Project: North Meadow Cricklade and Cotswold Water Park
Clients: English Nature and Mineral Operator
Detailed studies of National Nature Reserve including examination of soil pits and installation of dipwells, together with hydro-ecological impact study of mineral excavation proposals nearby.

Project: Picket Post Road Junction - New Forest
Client: English Nature/Hampshire County Council Highways Dept.
Detailed assessment of effects of the off-road drainage system examined and options for new sustainable drainage scheme proposed. Seepage drainage system installed and working well.

Project: New Forest Mires Restoration Project
Client: Forestry Commission
Surveys of peat deposits and hydrology undertaken of a variety of valley mire systems and detailed proposals made for restoration of the valley mires.

Project: Landford Bog, Wiltshire
Client: Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
Surveys of peat deposit at this SSSI/nature reserve, dipwells installed, part of impact study of the effects of adjacent new housing.

Project: West Cornwall Infrastructure Project
Client: Mott McDonald/Cornwall County Council
Detailed assessments made of alternative routes for major relief road, selection of two possible routes, and presentations made to Cornwall County Council Committees.

Project: Proposed Highland University, Inverness
Client: Private Developer
Assessments made of moorland habitat, meetings held with English Nature and others and proposals made to mitigate potential effects.

Project: Three Counties Low Flows Study, Wetland Survey and Monitoring
Client: Royal Society for Nature Conservation (RSNC)
Investigations made of the hydrology of six wetland nature reserves in Kent, Sussex and Hampshire, dipwells installed and training provided in wetland monitoring.

Project: Estate Golf Club, Roisey, Paris
Client: Kajima Europe
Detailed soil and hydrological studies of site of proposed 36 hole golf course outside of Paris, France, and detailed habitat creation/landscape scheme proposed to imitate herb-rich sand dune and dune slack habitats and included detailed studies of English Links habitats.

Project: Newmarket Heath/Racecourse
Client: Nature Conservancy Council
Detailed studies of soil water regimes and patterned ground within racecourse as part of SSSI designation proposals.

Project: The Nash, Worcestershire
Client Private Leisure Development Company
Detailed assessments of wetland, open water and other land proposed for major European standard sports facility including golf course, equestrian, tennis centre, conference centre and executive lodges. Landscape designs prepared and submissions made to Planning Authority. Permission granted.