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Research Article
Harriet Elizabeth Moore
University of Lincoln - Brayford Campus: University of Lincoln
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1941-6471
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Context: Habitat condition indicates the immediate success of efforts to revegetate degraded river basins as well as longer-term progress towards improving water quality. In the context of the Water Framework Directive, habitat condition in the UK also reflects how well international environmental policy translates into improved river management domestically. Objectives: 1. To assess whether habitat condition in the UK has improved or declined over the past two decades, 2. To assess whether regions identified by the first WFD assessment have improved or declined. Methods: Statistical and spatial analysis of more than 25,000 habitat condition records collated in the River Habitat Survey over the 1990s and 2000s. Computation of an Index of Change demonstrating the improvement or decline of habitat quality in Local Authorities. Comparison of Indices of Change with a sub-sample of 1,727 WFD assessments conducted in 258 Local Authorities. Results: Measures indicate that habitat quality has declined. Riparian quality has improved. 27 regions were identified with the worst declining quality. Condition has declined most substantially in regions that were previously in ‘good’ condition. Conclusion: Priorities for future investment should include improving degraded sites, protecting high quality sites, and increasing monitoring of ‘data poor’ regions. We offer a framework for decision making, including distinguishing the underlying cause of quality decline. Habitat quality decline in the UK mirrors the experience of European nations and points to systemic challenges associated with implementing international water policy in a national context.
Keywords
Habitat condition, ecological condition, Water Framework Directive, River Restoration, monitoring and assessment
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This is a preprint. It has not completed peer review.
Research Article
Harriet Elizabeth Moore
University of Lincoln - Brayford Campus: University of Lincoln
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1941-6471
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
History
CURRENT STATUS: Posted
Version 1
Posted 15 Mar, 2021
No community comments so far
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Context: Habitat condition indicates the immediate success of efforts to revegetate degraded river basins as well as longer-term progress towards improving water quality. In the context of the Water Framework Directive, habitat condition in the UK also reflects how well international environmental policy translates into improved river management domestically. Objectives: 1. To assess whether habitat condition in the UK has improved or declined over the past two decades, 2. To assess whether regions identified by the first WFD assessment have improved or declined. Methods: Statistical and spatial analysis of more than 25,000 habitat condition records collated in the River Habitat Survey over the 1990s and 2000s. Computation of an Index of Change demonstrating the improvement or decline of habitat quality in Local Authorities. Comparison of Indices of Change with a sub-sample of 1,727 WFD assessments conducted in 258 Local Authorities. Results: Measures indicate that habitat quality has declined. Riparian quality has improved. 27 regions were identified with the worst declining quality. Condition has declined most substantially in regions that were previously in ‘good’ condition. Conclusion: Priorities for future investment should include improving degraded sites, protecting high quality sites, and increasing monitoring of ‘data poor’ regions. We offer a framework for decision making, including distinguishing the underlying cause of quality decline. Habitat quality decline in the UK mirrors the experience of European nations and points to systemic challenges associated with implementing international water policy in a national context.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
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