New digital tool calculates benefits of tree planting
Monday, July 15, 2019
The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) has developed an online tool to calculate the anti-pollution effect of planting trees in local areas.
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Focusing on our urban water management for healthier waterways and communities
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Siwan Lovett, Australian River Restoration Centre
Geoff Vietz and Steve Clarke from Streamology, highlight the need for us to turn our attention to our urban waterways where the majority of our population live, work and play…
New agreement with Esmée Fairbairn Foundation helps implement 13 river improvement projects across England
Tuesday, July 9, 2019
The Rivers Trust has just signed an exciting new agreement with the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation (EFF) to provide financial loans to local Rivers Trusts to help them implement 13 river improvement projects across England.
The loans will enable local Rivers Trusts to cash-flow the implementation of their Water Environment Grant projects – a government grant scheme which provides funding to improve the water environment in rural England. Once the projects have been completed and reimbursed by WEG, the loan will be returned to EFF.
Human activity means UK peatlands contribute to climate change
Monday, July 8, 2019
The UK’s peatlands are making a significant contribution to our greenhouse gas emissions because of the way they are managed, a major study has shown.
Peatlands occupy 12% of the UK’s land area and store vast quantities of carbon. Healthy peatlands capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and so can help to offset the effects of human activities such as fossil fuel burning that are raising CO2 levels in the atmosphere, leading to climate change.
However, around 80% of the UK’s peatlands have been significantly affected by the way they are managed, such as:
Imagining the invisible
Monday, July 8, 2019
Water, water everywhere – but is it enough?
Ruth Hawksley - Wildlife Trusts BCN
Coastal erosion in the spotlight as DEFRA seeks views on new approaches
Monday, July 8, 2019
DEFRA is seeking evidence on how it should develop its approach to managing the risks from flooding and coastal erosion, looking particularly at funding local flood protection initiatives and adapting to coastal change.
The call for evidence points in particular to coastal areas “where it is not sustainable or affordable to build and maintain defences in the long term”, and where “authorities need to plan for a proactive transition”.
Functional traits of hyporheic and benthic invertebrates reveal importance of wood‐driven geomorphological processes in rivers
Monday, July 1, 2019
New paper in Functional Ecology
Wales ‘not yet sustainably managing its water’, says Welsh government
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
The Welsh government has launched its second statutory consultation on the Water Framework Directive, aimed at finding a solution for the "significant water management issues" identified across the country.
Response to the six-month consultation, which closes in December, will feed into the third River Basin Management Plans and the next State of Natural Resources Report (SoNaRR) required under the Environment Act, according to Natural Resources Wales (NRW).
Scottish government announces extra £11m for peatland restoration
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
The Scottish Government has announced an extra £11m in peatland restoration funding in addition to the £3m awarded earlier this year.
Scotland’s peat soils cover more than 20% of the country and store around 1600 million tonnes of carbon.
When left undisturbed, peatland provides a significant natural sink of CO2, and also benefits the environment by providing an internationally important habitat, improving water quality and reducing flood risk.
Scottish government announces extra £11m for peatland restoration
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
The Scottish Government has announced an extra £11m in peatland restoration funding in addition to the £3m awarded earlier this year.
Scotland’s peat soils cover more than 20% of the country and store around 1600 million tonnes of carbon.
When left undisturbed, peatland provides a significant natural sink of CO2, and also benefits the environment by providing an internationally important habitat, improving water quality and reducing flood risk.