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A METHOD TO IDENTIFY CHALK RIVERS AND ASSESS THEIR NATURE‐CONSERVATION VALUE
Author(s) -
Smith P. A.,
Dosser J.,
Tero C.,
Kite N.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
water and environment journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1747-6593
pISSN - 1747-6585
DOI - 10.1111/j.1747-6593.2003.tb00450.x
Subject(s) - macrophyte , habitat , fish <actinopterygii> , nature conservation , invertebrate , identification (biology) , geography , ecology , environmental science , fishery , biology
Chalk rivers have been identified as providing an important habitat for a number of species; however, there are no formal defining criteria, and designation is problematical. This paper defines a chalk river and describes a methodology for identification, using information which is routinely collected by the Environment Agency. The general approach is suitable for a variety of areas within the UK and, for illustrative purposes, has been applied to LincoInshire. To demonstrate an application of this method, the nature‐conservation value of Lincolnshire chalk rivers was assessed. Compared with other chalk‐river systems in the UK, the Lincolnshire rivers were found to contain fewer species of macrophytes, invertebrates and mammals but a comparable diversity of fish.