Wetlands and other water-dependent ecosystems are widely recognised as being of vital importance to maintaining biodiversity, and many are now protected by legislation such as the EC Habitats Directive and the Ramsar Convention. However, impacts on wetlands are notoriously difficult to assess, because they are often complex hydroecological systems that are not well understood. Some wetlands have exacting water level and quality requirements, dependent on factors such as: receiving water of different qualities from a variety of sources, including groundwater; a flushing flow through the wetland, or a water quality gradient across the wetland, being maintained.
Assessment of anthropogenic impacts on wetlands requires a multi-disciplinary approach, involving knowledge of groundwater, surface water and hydroecology. It is essential to develop a good conceptual model of each wetland, based on a sound understanding of the physical, chemical and biological mechanisms at work in any given situation. WMC can provide the broad range of expertise required, and has built up a strong track record in work on wetlands and hydroecology. It is important that investigations are tailored to identifying and investigating the most important issues, as budgets for this type of work are often limited.
Project Examples:
| Title: |
Wetland assessment under Habitats Directive
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| Location: |
UK |
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| Client: |
Environment Agency and Cheshire County Council
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| Description: |
Appropriate assessments were carried out (under the EC Habitats Directive) of the hydrological impact of activities authorised by Cheshire County Council Mineral Planning Department on Oakmere and Abbotts Moss Special Areas of Conservation. Building on previous work completed for the Environment Agency in the same area, a conceptual model of the hydrological influence of surface water bodies formed by aggregate extraction operations was developed. A numerical representation of the groundwater system was used to confirm the conceptual understanding and to quantify any possible impacts.
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| Title: |
Hydrogeological survey of Pen-yr-Estyn Moss
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| Location: |
UK |
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| Client: |
Shropshire Wildlife Trust |
| Description: |
Pen-yr-Estyn Moss is a 43-ha site in Shropshire, formerly under grazing and arable cultivation. A dense network of drains was installed in the 1970s to enable the site to be pump-drained and farmed. The intention of the Shropshire Wildlife Trust, in conjunction with the owner and tenants, was to return the site to wetland. WMC was commissioned to undertake a levelling and hydrogeological survey of the site, to form the basis for an application for a grant under the Countryside Stewardship scheme. The aim was to create a biodiverse wetland ecosystem, through the creation of certain water features and habitats.
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| Title: |
Vulnerability of wetland SSSIs
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| Location: |
UK |
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| Client: |
Environment Agency, Midlands Region |
| Description: |
Hydrogeological assessments were undertaken of about 180 wetland SSSIs, widely spread around Midlands Region, to determine their vulnerability to groundwater abstraction. The assessments were based on data sources such as: geological maps, borehole logs, published reports, precipitation data, licensed and actual abstraction rates, groundwater hydrographs, and observations made during walkover surveys of each site. Each site was then placed in a risk category, and the need for additional monitoring was assessed. Standard reports were produced which now form a reference resource for Environment Agency staff.
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