Download What is required? - Freshwater Biological Association

Windermere Reflections – Reed Bed
Restoration Project - M.Sc ideas
Background
Permanently wetted stands of reeds (e.g. the common reed, Phragmites australis) located within the
littoral zone of the lakes can be classified as ‘reed swamp’ habitat. Over the last 40 years the once
dominant fringing reed beds (including swamp) of Lake Windermere have largely disappeared, and
can now be considered as remnant. The decline in reed swamp around Lake Windermere (and
throughout Europe) has been attributed to a number of factors including; human development,
changes in water-table, wave-washing from boats and grazing by wildfowl. Throughout Europe, reed
swamp is an important component of the littoral zones of lakes and has protected status. Reed
swamp has a number of key functions including; bank / shore protection, sedimentation of
suspended solids, nutrient recycling and biodiversity (plants, fish, birds, mammals, amphibians and
invertebrates). However, despite the importance of reed swamp, little is known regarding the
function of individual ecosystems within them.
The Windermere Catchment Restoration Programme http://www.windermere-lakes.co.uk/ is a new
partnership of key organisations with a responsibility to contribute to the protection and restoration
of water quality and associated ecology of Windermere and the surrounding catchment. There is
limited funding available to begin the process of protecting and to restoring reed-bed (swamp and
marsh) with the Windermere catchment. It has been decided to invite suitable students to become
involved in a variety of projects. Most of the project work would suit M.Sc dissertation projects,
which would be supported by local partners (e.g. South Cumbria Rivers Trust, The Freshwater
Biological Association and the Lake District National Park Authority). We are looking for a
coordinated multidisciplinary approach preferably from one University; broad themes for potential
projects are listed below:
Hydrology
Changes in water-table are a key factor in the sustainability of important reed swamp, reed marsh
and wet woodland habitats associated with lakes in the Windermere catchment. It is interesting to
note that many of the larger fragments of reed swamp within Windermere are located near river
inflows e.g. Cunsey Beck and Waterhead. The hydrological regime of Windermere has been altered
considerably over the last 40 years. This is due in part to the influence of a weir at its outflow which
is located on the River Leven at Newby Bridge. During recent droughts in Cumbria, United Utilities
applied for drought permits in-order to abstract from Windermere if the need arose. In contrast the
lake flooded during November 2009. Recently it also looks as though higher levels are being
maintained in the lake.
What is required?
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A summary of historic hydrological data that includes a time-line showing major
events e.g. modifications of the weir, droughts, floods etc.
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Recording of relevant baseline data at key sites e.g. reed restoration areas and
selected areas of existing reed swamp.
Determination of hydrological gradients along selected reed swamps.
Physicochemical Determinants
Physicochemical data for Windermere Lake and Esthwaite Water is monitored / reported by both
the EA and CEH. However, there may be a requirement to look at long-term data trends and to
relate them to possible impacts upon reed swamps (e.g. eutrophication), increases in wildfowl
numbers and changes to the sewerage system. A comparison of water quality data between
Esthwaite and Lake Windermere would also be helpful.
Mapping / Information management
Over the last 40 years there has been a dramatic decline in the amount reed swamp around Lake
Windermere. There has never been a quantitative survey of reed habitat in the Lake Windermere
catchment. However, Lake Windermere in particular has been well photographed and described
over the last century. This includes aerial photographs taken by the RAF. It is extremely important
that this information is collated and mapped (GIS) as this will provide invaluable information for
future management plans.
What is required
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Survey of current reed swamp distribution (late spring – summer 2012).
o Preliminary survey by boat: distribution of different size classes.
o Detailed surveys of selected sites to include reed morphology, substrate composition,
flowering etc.
Mapping (GIS) of past and present reed habitat data for Windermere, Esthwaite and other lakes
(time permitting).
Mapping of localised risk factors (past and present) for reedbed decline including human
shoreline development including infilling of lowland and invasive species (Skunk Cabbage,
Crassula, Crangonyx, Canada Geese, etc).
Restoration of Phragmites beds near the FBA office on Lake
Windermere.
A Phragmites swamp that once dominated a sheltered bay within Lake Windermere has been
reduced to small fragment of marsh of less than 2m2 in size. The shore has become heavily shaded
by trees and is regularly accessed by members of the public by foot and by boat / canoe. Wildfowl is
thought to have played an important role in the decline of this and other reed beds. As part of a
Windermere Reflections project, there will be tree clearance, fencing (lake-side and land-side) and
installation of advisory signs. Seeds will be harvested from the ‘remnant’ reeds located within the
bay. These will then be grown within a local hatchery and replanted within the newly created
protected area. This work will commence during autumn 2011.
What is required?
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Scientific support
o Literature review of how to grow, plant and manage Phragmites plants.
o Measurement of relevant parameters to support planting of reed beds (e.g.
influence of shading by trees).
Ecology / Geography
What is required?
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Develop a method of using field based observations to define the primary functions of reed
swamps e.g. interception of silt from rivers. This will form the basis of reed swamp
classification system for the Windermere catchment.
Investigate the relationship between fish and reed swamp habitat.
o Changes in fish species composition during the last 40 years.
o Investigate the impact of reed swamp loss upon native fish populations within Lake
Windermere.
What are the likely consequences of reed swamp loss with regard to phytoplankton
(including blue-green algal blooms)?
The impact of invasion by Elodea, an alien invasive pond weed.
Past, present and future changes in biodiversity within Lake Windermere.