Chalk streams - pure and simple
Mar 08, 2010
Contact Name: Fran Southgate
Contact email: fransouthgate@sussexwt.org.uk
The South Downs Joint Committee (SDJC) has joined forces with the Sussex Otters and Rivers Project (SORP) to help fund important work to protect one of our rarest wetland habitats in the UK – chalk streams.
Until last year, over 100km of Sussex chalk streams had never been surveyed or mapped in detail. It was only through a SDJC grant in partnership with SORP and the Sussex Biodiversity Records Centre (SxBRC) that these rare wetland jewels could be revealed.
Chalk streams have their own specialised plant communities such as river water crowfoot, starworts, watercress and lesser water-parsnip, which thrive in the clear springwaters which feed them. This springwater provides a clean and stable water flow and temperature for all the creatures that live there. They are important for dragonfly and damselfly populations and for fish such as brown trout, and native crayfish. Water voles also flourish in and near chalk streams.
This project has helped discover exactly where our remaining chalk streams are, and in what condition they are in so that we can work with others to ensure their conservation for people and wildlife for years to come.
The report produced by national expert Nigel Holmes recommended that the protection of some the rarer examples of these Sussex chalk streams is essential – and that for some it was a matter of urgency. For many others, although damaged, it will be possible to reverse the damage, and so over the next few months we will be working with landowners and others to try and enhance and restore these sparkling freshwater gems.
If you own land with a chalk stream on it and would like some advice on how to manage it, please contact fransouthgate@sussexwt.org.uk or call 01273 497555.
