Overview

Implementation of the Water Framework Directive in 2000 has increased the emphasis on improving the ecological quality of rivers and lakes within the UK and Ireland, and ensuring that new developments do not adversely impact aquatic habitats or compromise their future ecological status.

Additional legislation (including The Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) (Amendment) Regulations 2010) allows prosecution of individuals or companies responsible for the pollution of aquatic habitats.  Developers are now expected to carry out pre and post-development surveys of waterbodies where an adverse impact is anticipated.

Surveys of freshwater habitats and species can present a number of challenges.  Our experience gained from working across a wide range of sites, applying different survey methods and means of assessment, allows us to provide a tailored approach to your freshwater project.

BSG Ecology has a team of experienced freshwater ecologists originating from academic, public sector and consultancy backgrounds. In partnership with our approved sub-consultants we can deliver a comprehensive suite of aquatic services anywhere in the UK and Ireland.

Freshwater Ecology Survey

We have a large team of ecologists, many of whom have significant experience of freshwater ecological assessment for development as well as conservation led projects.

We have project experience of the following field survey work that is of particular relevance to projects with freshwater habitats:

• Targeted survey, covering (as necessary) all key groups of aquatic invertebrates using a full range of survey methods including direct searching, netting, and kick sampling;
• Survey and identification of macrophytes including specialist groups such as stoneworts for which Special Areas of Conservation are designated and Phase 3 surveys of individual plant species;

• Surveys of protected or otherwise notable species associated with freshwater habitats (e.g. white-clawed crayfish, Desmoulin’s whorl snail, lesser silver water beetle, great crested newt, otter and water vole ) or communities (e.g. pond invertebrates);
• Assessment of biological water quality of ponds, lakes, streams and rivers, using freshwater invertebrates as indicators of ecosystem health.

Freshwater Ecology Consultancy Services

The aquatic ecology services we offer include:

• Water Framework Directive Assessments including geomorphology, macrophyte and fisheries surveys, desk study assessments, data analysis and interpretation;
• Aquatic habitat assessments using River Habitat Survey and River Corridor Survey methods, delivered by accredited staff;
• Bespoke and Water Framework Directive compliant macroinvertebrate surveys of still and running water habitats, including identification of major aquatic macroinvertebrate groups to family or species level;
• Analysis of data using industry-standard indices, such as RICT¹ and BMWP/ASPT²for running water and PSYM³ for ponds;
• External audit of invertebrate samples following our in-house analytical quality control systems;
• Design and implementation of water quality, phytoplankton, zooplankton, phytobenthos and sediment assessment surveys; and analysis of samples (using external laboratories).
• Advice on short and long-term water quality management;
• Advice on river, lake and pond restoration, and the control and management of undesirable algal blooms;
• Survey and translocation of protected species carried out by ecologists licensed by the appropriate statutory nature conservation organisation.

¹ River Invertebrate Classification Tool

² Biological Monitoring Working Party Index / Average Score Per Taxon

³ Predictive System for Multimetrics

Further Services