Aquatic Planting Project

Introduction

Selection of Planting Sites

Planting Sites

The sites for planting were selected to maximise the chances of successful establishment. Factors considered were stability of the stream bed in maximum flow conditions, adequate light, and freedom from disturbance such as by cattle or human activity. The exercise was also timed to allow optimum conditions for the successful establishment of the plants, but avoiding disturbance to fish breeding activity. Four sites were chosen where access is reasonably easy for monitoring purposes.

Sam planting Water Crowfoot at one of the selected sites on the Bevern Stream

Planting in progress on the Bevern Stream

The first two sites are at North Barns Farm by kind permission of Mr. G. Awbery. One is in the Plumpton Mill Stream just above its confluence with the Bevern, map ref. TQ 374159, the other in the Bevern Stream about 200 metres downstream from the confluence map ref. TQ376158. Plumpton Mill Stream has a chalk spring source and is bounded by little if any arable land. There are no significant effluent discharges into this water. The Bevern Stream at this point carries effluent from Ditchling Sewage Treatment Works (STW), Streat Golf Course Works and possible herbicide contamination from this and surrounding arable land. The proximity of these two sites with different water compositions facilitates a comparative study.

The next site is downstream at Hurst Barns Farm map ref. TQ 384157, by kind permission of Lady Marina Bury. The surrounding land is organically farmed and therefore free from direct herbicide spray drift.

The final site is at Knowlands Farm map ref. TQ 415165, by kind permission of Mr. & Mrs. N. Lear. This is surrounded by improved grassland which is subject to herbicide spraying from time to time it is also downstream from the Barcombe STW outfall and therefore in the most polluted section.

All these sites feature riffle and pool systems giving fast and slow flow conditions to suit the appropriate species.

On the 4th July 2000 samples of the three species aforementioned were lifted from the donor site at Sharpsbridge and transplanted in the identified sites in the Bevern Stream.