Aquatic Planting Project

Introduction

Selection of Planting Sites

Planting Sites

Fig.1

Fig.2

Ranunculus plants at Knowlands Farm showing rapid growth

Fig.3

Site 4

Location

Bevern Stream, Knowlands Farm - TQ 415165

Planting

On the 4th July 2000 four clumps of Ranunculus were placed in the riffle with six Sparganium and one clump of Callitriche in the pool area.

Monitoring

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

24th July 2000 – Only two Sparganium and two Ranunculus remained. There was no sign of the Callitriche.

13th Aug. 2000 – By this time it was assumed that some root growth would have taken place. It was found that the number of plants in situ had not decreased with the two remaining Ranunculus plants established, but if anything decreased in size, probably due to fragmentation in spate conditions. see fig. 1. All the Sparganium plants that had survived the initial spate were present at all sites. Fig. 2 shows those planted at Knowlands Farm.

15th Sept. 2000 - There was a marked improvement in the condition of the two remaining Ranunculus clumps with evidence of growth. The Sparganium emersum also appeared healthy. 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 - Two clumps of Ranunculus had survived, well established, but not showing such a rapid rate of growth as in the other sites (fig. 3). Only one small Sparganium plant had survived.