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Biological Monitoring Working Party
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| Introduction |
BMWP scores for the locations sampled by S.O.C.S. can be viewed below: |
| River Ouse |
| East Mascalls |
| Scaynes Hill - Main river |
| Scaynes Hill - Canal Cut |
| Sheffield Park |
| Barcombe Mills |
| Bevern Stream |
| Stoneywish Country Park |
| Spatham Lane |
| Streat Lane |
| Swansyard Farm |
| Holmans railway bridge |
| Clapper's Bridge |
| North End Stream |
| Cooksbridge |
| Hamsey Road |
| Plumpton Mill Stream |
| Plumpton Mill |
| Ferrings Bridge |
| Longford Stream |
| Cinder Hill, Chailey |
| Ridgelands Lane - Newick |
| Longford Bridge |
| Great Bentley Stream |
| Brook Street, Cuckfield |
| Shortbridge Stream |
| Maresfield, Underhill |
| Shortbridge |
| Norlington Stream |
| Wellingham Lane |
| Plumpton Mill Stream, Plumpton Mill | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| This sample was taken a short distance downstream from where we perform chemical tests each month on the quality of the water. We intend to carry out biological tests at this site on a regular basis to monitor the long term effects that water quality has on invertebrate life in the stream. See the latest water quality test results for this location...
A disappointing result for a chalk stream with too many low scoring organisms usually associated with pollution. |
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| Location | Plumpton Mill Stream, Plumpton Mill. | |
| Date | 7th October 2008 | |
| Grid Reference | TQ364151 | |
| Notes | Fast flow of turbid water over stones and gravelly silt. Shaded | |
| Also netted in this sample. | Many empty caddis cases plus empty snail (Physella) and Limpet (Ancylidae) shells. |
|
| Biological quality rating | C. Fair biological quality | |
| Water quality rating | Good | |
| Species | Group | BMWP Score |
Ephemeridae |
Mayfly | 10 |
| Sericostomatidae | Caddis fly larva | 10 |
| Calopterygidae | Demoiselle | 8 |
| Limnephilidae | Caddis Fly | 7 |
Glossosomatidae |
Caddis Fly | 7 |
| Gammaridae | Shrimp | 6 |
| Dytiscidae | Beetle larvae | 6 |
| Gyrinidae | Beetle larvae | 5 |
| Elminthidae | Riffle beetle | 5 |
| Haliplidae | Beetle larvae |
5 |
|
Dendrocoelidae |
Flatworm | 5 |
| Baetidae | Mayfly | 4 |
| Glossiphoniidae | Leech | 3 |
| Erpobdellidae | Leech | 3 |
|
Asellus |
Hog Louse | 3 |
| Planorbiidae | Snail | 3 |
| Chironomidae | Midge larvae |
2 |
| Tubificidae | Roundworms | 1 |
| Total Score | 87 | |
| ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) | 5.1 | |
March 2008
This is a good result but to be expected from a clean chalk stream. One Caddis Fly from the family Glossosomatidae was found which, for some reason, does not appear on the BMWP Score sheet. | Location | Plumpton Mill Stream, Plumpton Mill. | |
| Date | 4th March 2008 | |
| Grid Reference | TQ364151 | |
| Notes | Three minute kick sample in good flow over gravel riffles | |
| Also netted in this sample. | One bullhead Cottus gobio. Gammarus infected with Spiny-headed worms Echinorrhyncus polymorphus. Water mites |
|
| Biological quality rating | B. Good biological quality | |
| Water quality rating | Very good | |
| Species | Group | BMWP Score |
Ephemerellidae |
Mayfly | 10 |
| Sericostomatidae | Caddis fly larva (cased) | 10 |
| Leptophlebiidae | Mayfly | 10 |
|
Leptoceridae |
Caddis Fly | 10 |
| Goeridae | Caddis Fly | 10 |
Rhyacophilidae |
Caddis Fly | 7 |
| Gammaridae | Shrimp | 6 |
| Ancylidae | River Limpet | 6 |
| Gyrinidae | Beetle larvae | 5 |
| Elminthidae | Riffle beetle | 5 |
| Simuliidae | Blackfly |
5 |
| Hydropsychidae | Caddis Fly | 5 |
| Planariidae |
Flatworm | 5 |
| Baetidae | Mayfly | 4 |
| Glossiphoniidae | Leech | 3 |
|
Asellus |
Hog Louse | 3 |
| Chironomidae | Midge larvae |
2 |
| Oligochaetae | Roundworms | 1 |
| Total Score | 107 | |
| ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) | 5.9 | |
December 2007
A BMWP Score of 61 is rated as fair biological quality and the ASPT as good. A slightly better result was expected from this site but it is still a lot better than Ferring's Bridge, only a few 100 m downstream. | Location | Plumpton Mill Stream, Plumpton Mill. | |
| Date | 4th December 2007 | |
| Grid Reference | TQ364151 | |
| Notes | Three minute kick sample in strong flow over gravel riffle and silt. | |
| Also netted in this sample. | - |
|
| Biological quality rating | C. Fair biological quality | |
| Water quality rating | Good | |
| Species | Group | BMWP Score |
| Ephemeridae | Mayfly (Ephemera danica) | 10 |
| Sericostomatidae | Caddis fly larva (cased) | 10 |
| Leptophlebiidae | Mayfly | 10 |
| Calopterygidae |
Damselfly | 8 |
| Limnephilidae | Caddis fly larva | 7 |
Rhyacophilidae |
Caddis Fly | 7 |
| Gammaridae | Shrimp | 6 |
| Elminthidae | Riffle beetle | 5 |
| Dendrocoelidae | Flatworm |
5 |
| Hydropsychidae | Caddis Fly | 5 |
| Tipulidae | Cranefly | 5 |
| Baetidae | Mayfly | 4 |
| Piscicolidae | Fish leech | 4 |
| Glossiphoniidae | Leech | 3 |
| Asellidae |
Hog Louse | 3 |
| Sphaeriidae | Pea mussel | 3 |
| Chironomidae | Midge larvae |
2 |
| Oligochaetae | Roundworms | 1 |
| Total Score | 98 | |
| ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) | 5.4 | |
May 2007
This result is what should be expected of a small unpolluted chalk stream. It is interesting to note the relatively low abundance of pollution tolerant organisms and the abundance of the more sensitive ones.| Location | Plumpton Mill Stream, Plumpton Mill. | |
| Date | 10th May 2007 | |
| Grid Reference | TQ364151 | |
| Notes | Three minute kick sample in low flow. Light shade. Fine gravel substrate. No in stream vegetation. | |
| Also netted in this sample. | 2 Bullheads and a large number of, pupal stage Glossosomatidae, (Agapetus - cased caddis). The latter are not included in the BMWP list. |
|
| Biological quality rating | B. Good biological quality | |
| Water quality rating | Very good | |
| Species | Group | BMWP Score |
| Ephemeridae | Mayfly (Ephemera danica) | 10 |
| Sericostomatidae | Caddis fly larva (cased) | 10 |
| Lepidostomatidae | Caddis fly larva (cased) | 10 |
| Leptophlebiidae | Mayfly | 10 |
| Ephemerellidae | Mayfly | 10 |
| Agriidae | Damsel fly larvae | 8 |
| Limnephilidae | Caddis fly larva (cased) | 7 |
| Gammaridae | Shrimp | 6 |
| Elminthidae | Riffle beetle | 5 |
| Dendrocoelidae | Flatworm |
5 |
| Planariidae | Flatworm | 5 |
| Hydropsychidae | Caseless caddis | 5 |
| Gyrinidae | Whirligig beetle larva | 5 |
| Simuliidae | Blackfly | 5 |
| Baetidae | Mayfly | 4 |
| Piscicolidae | Fish leech | 4 |
| Glossiphoniidae | Leech | 3 |
| Asellus | Water Lice | 3 |
| Planorbiidae | Snail (ramshorn) | 3 |
| Sphaeriidae | Pea mussel | 3 |
| Hydrobiidae | Snail | 3 |
| Chironomidae | Midge larvae |
2 |
| Oligochaetae | Roundworms | 1 |
| Total Score | 127 | |
| ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) | 5.5 | |
August 2006
An almost identical score and ASPT to the August 2005 result, but with a different array of families. The profusion of tubifex worms was remarkable. | Location | Plumpton Mill Stream, Plumpton Mill. | |
| Date | 16th August 2006 | |
| Grid Reference | TQ364151 | |
| Notes | Three minute kick sample in very low flow. Light shade. Gravel substrate | |
| Also netted in this sample. | - | |
| Biological quality rating | C. Fair biological quality | |
| Water quality rating | Good | |
| Species | Group | BMWP Score |
| Ephemeridae | Mayfly (Ephemera danica) | 10 |
| Sericostomatidae | Caddis fly larva (cased) | 10 |
| Goeridae | Caddis fly larva (cased) | 10 |
| Agriidae | Damsel fly larvae | 8 |
| Limnephilidae | Caddis fly larva (cased) | 7 |
| Gammaridae | Shrimp | 6 |
| Elminthidae | Riffle beetle (L. volckmari & E.aenea) | 5 |
| Dendrocoelidae | Flatworm (D.lacteum+ Polycelis tenuis) |
5 |
| Glossiphoniidae | Leech (G. complanata) | 3 |
| Asellidae | Hoglouse | 3 |
| Planorbiidae | Snail | 3 |
| Sphaeriidae | Pea mussel (Sphaerium and Pisidium) | 3 |
| Valvatidae | Snail ( Bithynia leachii) | 3 |
| Chironomidae | Midge larvae |
2 |
| Oligochaetae | Tubifex (Lumbricus – Eisinella Tetraeda) | 1 |
| Total Score | 79 | |
| ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) | 5.3 | |
August 2005
This is considered to be fairly good result considering the time of year and shortage of water. The good score reflects the fact that the Plumpton Mill Stream is one of the best performers in our water quality testing programme.| Location | Plumpton Mill Stream, Plumpton Mill. | |
| Date | 10th August 2005 | |
| Grid Reference | TQ36441512 | |
| Notes | Three minute kick sample. in Good flow. Light shade. Gravel substrate. | |
| Also netted in this sample. | 2 Bullheads | |
| Biological quality rating | C. Fair biological quality | |
| Water quality rating | Good | |
| Species | Group | BMWP Score |
| Ephemeridae | Mayfly | 10 |
| Leptoceridae | Caddis fly larva | 10 |
| Leptostomatidae | Caddis fly larva | 10 |
| Gammaridae | Shrimp | 6 |
| Elminthidae | Riffle beetle | 5 |
| Hydropsychidae | Caddis fly larva | 5 |
| Simuliidae | Black fly larva | 5 |
| Tipulidae | Crane fly larva | 5 |
| Baetidae | Mayfly larva | 4 |
| Glossiphoniidae | Leech | 3 |
| Asellidae | Hoglouse | 3 |
| Planorbiidae | Snail | 3 |
| Sphaeriidae | Pea mussel | 3 |
| Chironomidae | Midge larvae | 2 |
| Total Score | 74 | |
| ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) | 5.3 | |