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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 |
| River Uck |
| Hempstead Mill - Uckfield |
| 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 |
| Pellingford Brook |
| Near Scaynes Hill |
| Scrase Stream |
| Lindfield |
| Great Bentley Stream |
| Brook Street, Cuckfield |
| Shortbridge Stream |
| Maresfield, Underhill |
| Shortbridge |
| Norlington Stream |
| Wellingham Lane |
| Lewes Winterbourne |
| Lewes Railwaylands |
| Bevern Stream, Streat Lane, Streat | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This sample was taken a short distance downstream from where we used to carry out 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.
The number of Taxa found is low compared to the last sample in April when the BMWP score was 94 but the water quality rating has been maintained. The low flow conditions may be the cause. |
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| Location | Bevern Stream – Streat Lane, Streat. | |
| Date | 15th September 2010 | |
| Grid Reference | TQ352166 |
|
| Notes | Three minute kick sample in Low flow over silt and stony riffle. Light shade. | |
| Also netted in this sample. | 7 Bullhead Cottus gobio | |
| Biological quality rating | C. Fair biological quality | |
| Water quality rating | Good | |
| Species | Group | BMWP Score |
| Leptoceridae | Cased caddis fly larva | 10 |
| Lepidostomatidae | Cased caddis fly larva | 10 |
| Demoiselle larva | Calopterygidae | 8 |
| Caenidae | Mayfly larva | 7 |
| Gammaridae | Shrimp | 6 |
| Elminthidae | Riffle beetle | 5 |
| Baetidae | Mayfly nymph | 4 |
| Glossiphoniidae | Leech | 3 |
| Hydrobiidae | Spire shell snail | 3 |
| Chironomidae | Midge larva | 2 |
| Tubificidae | Roundworm | 1 |
| Total Score | 59 | |
| ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) | 5.4 | |
April 2010
The total score is about average for the site but the ASPT is better than usual. The numerical abundance of the lower scoring taxa detracts slightly from The ASPT result.| Location | Bevern Stream – Streat Lane, Streat. | |
| Date | 15th April 2010 | |
| Grid Reference | TQ352166 |
|
| Notes | Three minute kick sample in moderate to low flow over stony riffle and slower, silted area. Water clear. | |
| Also netted in this sample. | River limpet shell ( Ancylus ), Ramshorn snail shell ( Planorbis) & Swan Mussel shell ( Anodonta) . | |
| Biological quality rating | C. Fair biological quality | |
| Water quality rating | Very good | |
| Species | Group | BMWP Score |
| Perlodidae | Stonefly larva | 10 |
| Leptophlebiidae | Mayfly larva | 10 |
| Leptoceridae | Cased caddis fly larva | 10 |
| Lepidostomatidae | Cased caddis fly larva | 10 |
| Limnephilidae | Cased caddis fly larva | 7 |
| Nemouridae | Stonefly larva | 7 |
| Gammaridae | Shrimp | 6 |
| Ancylidae | River Limpet | 6 |
| Hydropsychidae | Caseless caddis fly larva | 5 |
| Elmidae | Riffle beetle | 5 |
| Simuliidae | Blackfly | 5 |
| Baetidae | Mayfly nymph | 4 |
| Glossiphoniidae | Leech | 3 |
| Lymnaeidae | Snail | 3 |
| Chironomidae | Midge larva | 2 |
| Tubificidae | Roundworm | 1 |
| Total Score | 94 | |
| ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) | 5.9 | |
September 2009
The flow was so low that it was not possible to collect a good kick sample from the riffle. Under these circumstances the result was encouraging. | Location | Bevern Stream – Streat Lane, Streat. | |
| Date | 22nd Sepember 2009 | |
| Grid Reference | TQ352166 |
|
| Notes | Three minute kick sample in very low flow over stony riffle and deeper silted pool | |
| Also netted in this sample. | 3 Bullheads Cottus gobio | |
| Biological quality rating | C. Fair biological quality | |
| Water quality rating | Fair | |
| Species | Group | BMWP Score |
| Ephemeridae | Mayfly | 10 |
| Leptoceridae | Caddis fly | 10 |
| Gammaridae | Shrimp | 6 |
| Dytiscidae | Diving beetle | 5 |
| Elminthidae | Riffle beetle | 5 |
| Simuliidae | Blackfly | 5 |
| Baetidae | Mayfly nymph | 4 |
| Glossiphoniidae | Leech | 3 |
| Sphaeriidae | Mussel | 3 |
| Asellidae | Hoglouse | 3 |
| Hydrobiidae | Spire shell snail | 3 |
| Chironomidae | Midge | 2 |
| Tubificidae | Roundworm | 1 |
| Total Score | 60 | |
| ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) | 4.6 | |
July 2009
A poor result due to the low flow and lack of dilution of the Ditchling sewage outfall.| Location | Bevern Stream – Streat Lane, Streat. | |
| Date | 15th July 2009 | |
| Grid Reference | TQ352166 |
|
| Notes | Low flow. Shaded. Substrate silt and gravel. | |
| Also netted in this sample. | Bullhead Cottus gobio Stone loach Noemacheilus barbatula small 1 cm fry of unknown species | |
| Biological quality rating | C. Fair biological quality | |
| Water quality rating | Good | |
| Species | Group | BMWP Score |
| Ephemerellidae | Mayfly | 10 |
| Leptoceridae | Cased Caddis | 10 |
| Gammaridae | Shrimp | 6 |
| Elminthidae | Riffle beetle | 5 |
| Planariidae | Flatworm | 5 |
| Baetidae | Mayfly nymph | 4 |
| Piscicolidae | Leech | 4 |
| Glossiphoniidae | Leech | 3 |
| Asellidae | Hoglouse | 3 |
| Hydrobiidae | Snail | 3 |
| Chironomidae | Midge | 2 |
| Oligochaeta | Round worm (Tubifex) | 1 |
| Total Score | 56 | |
| ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) | 4.7 | |
January 2009
This is an average score for the site with reasonable biodiversity spoiled by too many low scoring taxa.| Location | Bevern Stream – Streat Lane, Streat. | |
| Date | 15th January 2009 | |
| Grid Reference | TQ352166 |
|
| Notes | Good flow over stony riffle. | |
| Also netted in this sample. | Bullhead, 2 Swan Mussel shells, Pea Mussel shell, cased caddis (Mystacides) empty case. | |
| Biological quality rating | C. Fair biological quality | |
| Water quality rating | Good | |
| Species | Group | BMWP Score |
| Ephemerellidae | Mayfly | 10 |
| Lepidostomatidae | Cased Caddis | 10 |
| Leptoceridae | Cased Caddis | 10 |
| Gammaridae | Shrimp | 6 |
| Hydropsychidae | Caseless Caddis | 5 |
| Tipulidae | Crane fly | 5 |
| Elmidae | Riffle beetle | 5 |
| Helodidae | Beetle | 5 |
| Simuliidae | Blackfly | 5 |
| Baetidae | Mayfly nymph | 4 |
| Leech | Piscicolidae | 4 |
| Glossiphoniidae | Leech | 3 |
| Erpodellidae | Leech | 3 |
| Asellidae | Hoglouse | 3 |
| Chironomidae | Midge | 2 |
| Oligochaeta | Round worm | 1 |
| Total Score | 81 | |
| ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) | 5.1 | |
July 2008
This result is not as good as that obtained in Feb 08 (75 & 5.8) probably as a result of the much lower flow rate. As before, the water here was unexpectedly turbid. One feature of this sample was the high number of snails & tubifex worms.| Location | Bevern Stream – Streat Lane, Streat. | |
| Date | 8th July 2008 | |
| Grid Reference | TQ352166 |
|
| Notes | Moderate to low flow, water coloured. Stony riffle | |
| Also netted in this sample. | Six small bullheads Cottus gobio |
|
| Biological quality rating | C. Fair biological quality | |
| Water quality rating | Good | |
| Species | Group | BMWP Score |
| Heptageniidae | Mayfly | 10 |
| Leptoceridae | Cased caddis | 10 |
| Gammaridae | Shrimp | 6 |
| Ancylidae | River Limpet | 6 |
| Hydropsychidae | Caseless caddis | 5 |
| Elminthidae | Riffle beetle | 5 |
| Baetidae | Mayfly nymph | 4 |
| Glossiphoniidae | Leech | 3 |
|
Lymnaeidae |
Snails | 3 |
|
Oligochaetae |
Round worm | 1 |
| Total Score | 53 | |
| ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) | 5.3 | |
February 2008
A BMWP score4 of 75 is rated as ‘fair biological quality' and an ASPT of 5.8 as very good. In view of the recent lack of rain it was disappointing to find the water so turbid. This may account for the only fair BMWP score. | Location | Bevern Stream – Streat Lane, Streat. | |
| Date | 19th February 2008 | |
| Grid Reference | TQ352166 |
|
| Notes | Three minute kick sample in moderate flow over gravel riffle. Water turbid | |
| Also netted in this sample. | - |
|
| Biological quality rating | C. Fair biological quality | |
| Water quality rating | Good | |
| Species | Group | BMWP Score |
| Leptophlebiidae | Mayfly | 10 |
| Sericostomatidae | Caddis fly | 10 |
| Lepidostomatidae |
Caddis fly | 10 |
| Limnephilidae |
Caddis Fly | 7 |
| Gammaridae | Shrimp | 6 |
| Ancylidae | River Limpet | 6 |
| Hydropsychidae | Caddis fly | 5 |
| Simuliidae | Blackfly larvae | 5 |
| Elminthidae | Riffle beetle | 5 |
| Baetidae | Mayfly nymph | 4 |
| Glossiphoniidae | Leech | 3 |
| Asellidae |
Hog Louse | 3 |
| Oligochaetae |
Round worm | 1 |
| Total Score | 75 | |
| ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) | 5.8 | |
March 2007
In this sample the BMWP score was higher than last year, the ASPT was however comparable with a higher number of species captured. | Location | Bevern Stream – Streat Lane, Streat. | |
| Date | 29th March 2007 | |
| Grid Reference | TQ352166 |
|
| Notes | Three minute kick sample in Gravel & silt substrate with light shade – Moderate flow. | |
| Also netted in this sample. | 1 x Bullhead | |
| Biological quality rating | C. Fair biological quality | |
| Water quality rating | Very good | |
| Species | Group | BMWP Score |
| Leptophlebiidae | Mayfly | 10 |
| Ephemerellidae | Mayfly (Ephemera danica) | 10 |
| Sericostomatidae | Caddis fly | 10 |
| Leptoceridae | Caddis fly | 10 |
| Calopterygiidae | Damselfly (C. virgo) | 8 |
| Gammaridae | Shrimp | 6 |
| Hydropsychidae | Caddis fly | 5 |
| Tipulidae | True fly | 5 |
| Elminthidae | Riffle beetle (E. aenea) | 5 |
| Baetidae | Mayfly nymph | 4 |
| Glossiphoniidae | Leech | 3 |
| Sphaeriidae | Mussel | 3 |
| Lymnaeidae | Snail | 3 |
| Planorbidae | Snail | 3 |
| Total Score | 85 | |
| ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) | 6.1 | |
September 2006
This is the first time we have sampled this site and the results are suprisinsly good, given the consistant poor water quality results during the summer months. The numbers of Caddis fly larvae was remarkable.| Location | Bevern Stream – Streat Lane, Streat. | |
| Date | 22nd September 2006 | |
| Grid Reference | TQ352166 |
|
| Notes | Three minute kick sample in Gravel & silt substrate with light shade – Low flow. | |
| Also netted in this sample. | 2 Bullheads | |
| Biological quality rating | C. Fair biological quality | |
| Water quality rating | Very good | |
| Species | Group | BMWP Score |
| Lepidostomatidae | Caddis or Sedge fly | 10 |
| Ephemeridae | Mayfly (Ephemera danica) | 10 |
| Leptoceridae | Caddis fly | 10 |
| Limnephilidae | Caddis fly | 7 |
| Gammaridae | Shrimp | 6 |
| Unionidae | Mussel (Unio pictorum) | 6 |
| Simuliidae | Blackfly | 5 |
| Elminthidae | Riffle beetle (Adult & larva) | 5 |
| Baetidae | Mayfly nymph | 4 |
| Glossiphoniidae | Leech | 3 |
| Planorbidae | Snail | 3 |
| Total Score | 69 | |
| ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) | 6.3 | |
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