Aquatic Planting Project

Introduction

Selection of Planting Sites

Planting Sites

Fig.1

Fig.2

Prolific growth of Ranunculus beginning to flower

Fig.3

Site 1

Location

Plumpton Mill Stream just above its confluence with the Bevern -
TQ 374159

Planting

On the 4th July 2000 a clump of Callitriche was planted in a slack water pool, and six clumps of Ranunculus in the fast water riffle. The plants were weighted down with large stones and backfilled with gravel.

Monitoring

All sites were monitored throughout the following months to assess the development of the plants.

24th July 2000 - There was a 100% survival rate although the Callitriche had suffered some damage and was reduced in size.

13th Aug. 2000 – By this time it was assumed that some root growth would have taken place. The number of plants in situ had not decreased except for the Callitriche, now missing from the stream. The Ranunculus here appeared to be thriving with evident increase in size, see fig 1. There was a significant ingress of bankside vegetation restricting the amount of direct light to the stream bed and this was cut back, see fig.2.

15th Sept. 2000 - The Ranunculus here was growing strongly and well established. As winter approaches these plants will begin to die back, but the root systems should have developed well enough to survive the winter spates and regenerate next spring.

October 2000 to May 2001 - The autumn of 2000 and winter of 2000/01 featured the heaviest rainfall with the most severe and continuous spate conditions within living memory. It was not possible to gather any information from the planting sites during this period due to the persistently high water levels. The outbreak of foot and mouth disease in February 2001 precluded access to the Bevern Stream until restrictions were lifted at the end of May 2001.

28th May 2001 - Prolific growth of the Ranunculus was noted, with one clump beginning to flower. See fig. 3.