Macrophyte Ecology
Our team's excellent skills in macrophyte identification and ecology are drawn from detailed work throughout the UK augmented by their global experience (e.g. Lake Victoria, East Africa) in macrophyte (aquatic plant) surveying. APEM's wide range of macrophyte services include river, lake and pond aquatic plant
surveys and identification, the
protection and conservation of aquatic plants,
advice on macrophyte control and site management plans and expertise in ecology and control of alien invasive species. Whether there is a requirement to know what is or is not present or if there is a need to protect certain species or indeed remove dense weed growth APEM can provide the solutions.
Macrophyte surveys can be undertaken to assess river, lake or pond vegetation. Presence and abundance of channel, marginal and riparian species are detailed and photographs taken. Specialist staff within APEM have extensive experience of macrophyte surveys over a range of river types including:
- Full Macrophyte Surveys of rivers (Wensum Macrophytes) according to the JNCC standard methodology
- Mean Trophic Rank (MTR) surveys
- Baseline Walking Surveys (e.g. EN transect/LIFE in UK Rivers methodology)
- Habitat Surveys, including River Habitat Surveys (RHS 2003v accredited surveyors)
It is often desirable to protect and conserve the macrophytes present even when, on evaluation, they are found to be particularly dense. Proficient advice on conservation and protection can be levelled towards any situation on a client to client basis. As a specialist aquatic science consultancy we are often called upon to protect and conserve macrophyte species or areas of macrophyte growth at risk from external factors. For example, tidal let back along the River Trent has been used to maintain water levels in Warping Drain for many decades. Increased abstraction however raised fears over the loss of macrophytes within the drain. APEM undertook surveys to provide information on the most appropriate methods to protect and conserve the macrophytes present.
The control and manipulation of macrophytes in areas with excessive growth can also be advised upon. However weed removal is not necessarily a destructive process as it is often part of an overall habitat creation or restoration management strategy. Control methods can include biological, mechanical or chemical means. APEM's extensive experience in this area has included:
- Managing growth of macrophytes in a SSSI, SPA and Ramsar designated dock (Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria) in order to benefit the overall ecology of the dock whilst balancing the requirements of the waterfowl population and a power station relying on the dock water for use in its cooling plant. Various management strategies have been evaluated and implemented including biological (grass carp) and mechanical means (weed cutting) as part of a tailored management plan.
- Managing macrophyte growth in a freshwater dock system to maximise benefit to the ecology whist maintaining the aesthetic, amenity and recreational value of the waterbodies (Salford Quays).
- Investigating the impact of weed control operations such as cutting and harvesting in drainage ditches on the other biota of the sites, such as fish populations (East Anglia).
- Providing site specific management advice to various organisations and individuals encountering aquatic weed problems in a diverse range of waterbodies, from lakes used by angling clubs to garden ponds (Bramhall Pond).
Habitat diversification within fisheries is important and clearly the total removal of weeds is not beneficial for fish that may use weeds for spawning, hunting and protection. A holistic understanding of an ecosystem is therefore required so that suitable and accurate advice can be given. APEM have this knowledge.