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betterhabitatsmeanbetter fishingFisheries habitat improvement

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Environment Agency Fisheries Habitat Improvement 3

If you want to improve the habitat inyour fishery, you probably want toprovide better conditions for the fish –and enjoy better fishing. However, it isalso an opportunity to provide a goodhabitat for other wildlife. This bookletexplains how you can make lastingimprovements to your fishery that willbenefit the environment as a whole.

Where habitat has been engineered,modified or otherwise degraded in thepast then fisheries improvements mayproduce good habitat for other wildlife,as well as better fishing. Although it isimportant to stock waters with theappropriate native species that arecapable of thriving in them, it is alsopossible to alter or improve the habitatto create better conditions for the fish.

Habitat improvements work best wherethe present habitat has been artificiallycreated, or where it has been modifiedor degraded in the past. Improvementsaimed solely at improving fishing areoften not sustainable. In fact they maybe harmful to the other wildlife present.

Some fisheries are formally recognisedas areas important for conservation.Examples are Sites of Special ScientificInterest. In these places there arerestrictions on the types of habitatmanagement that are allowed. Otherfisheries may have species that it isillegal to disturb or habitats that it ishighly desirable to conserve. Suchfisheries often have Biodiversity ActionPlans. Examples include mesotrophiclakes – these are lakes with a moderatelevel of nutrients.

We have written this booklet for fishery owners. It explainshow to set about improving the habitat in your fishery, andguides you through the legal process for making changes.

Habitatimprovement

4 Environment Agency Fisheries Habitat Improvement

At the Environment Agency, we have astatutory obligation to maintain,improve and develop the fisheriesresources of England and Wales. Youshould get advice from our local staffbefore you start making improvementsto your fishery’s habitat.

We have written this booklet to helpyou manage your watercourse orstillwater fishery. To maintain andimprove the habitat and water qualityof your fishery, it is essential that youassess its current state, and recogniseany polluting inputs or habitatdamaging features. You need to dealwith the problem at the source beforestarting on improvements – that waythe changes you make will be of lastingbenefit. Bear in mind that the ‘problem’may be some distance away from the‘symptom’. For example, the problemmay be caused by diffuse silt pollutionwithin a river catchment.

Drawing up a site-management planallows you to assess the state of thefishery and to plan appropriate habitatimprovements. Work on the plan withour local staff before habitatimprovement work begins. We willneed to be happy with it before youput it into action.

To get in touch with your localEnvironment Agency office, call ourgeneral enquiry line on 08708 506506.

We have divided this booklet into twosections: stillwaters and runningwaters. Under the Water ResourcesAct 1981, the Environment Agencyregulates:

• all rivers, streams, canals, estuaries,coastal waters and groundwaters;

• all stillwaters that discharge into ariver or stream;

• all stillwaters that discharge intoanother stillwater connected to ariver or stream.


These waters are still covered byconservation and fisheries legislation,but you have more freedom to alterthe physical habitat or water quality.

This booklet also covers the relevantlegislation for changing habitat in stilland running waters. The rules for totallyenclosed stillwaters are different.


Physical improvementsPhysical habitat improvements canprovide refuges and spawning sites, aswell as improving fish food production.A variety of materials can be used tocreate underwater reefs. These providevaluable submerged fish habitat andrefuges from predatory birds. Under-water reefs can deter birds, such ascormorants by interfering with theinteraction between them and thefish. A well-designed reef should haveboth overhead shading and internalstructures.

Brushwood reefs can be made by tyingbushes together and weighting themso they sink. In addition, faggotbundles and weighed logs can beutilised in a similar way. The type andlocation of the reef should meet theobjectives for which they are built andavoid conflicts with other resourceusers. Reefs should also be appropriatefor the water body.

Be careful when choosing whichmaterials you use to build the reef.Natural materials are best. Man-madeobjects, such as waste tyres, are weaksubstitutes, providing poor productivityand habitat by comparison with naturalmaterials. Organic materials and man-made objects may leach chemicalsinto the water. They may also be illegalunder current waste managementlegislation. If you want to construct areef out of any waste materials, contactus first. We can tell you whether thematerials are suitable or covered byany legislation.

Stillwaters


Brushwood reefs – these structures may need to be weighed down

Side view

Reef structurecreated by largerlogs to containbrushwood

A simple brushwood reef maybe made by weighing downbrushwood with boulders

Brushwoodplaced insidelog structure

Top view


Chemical improvementsThe water quality within a fishery isimportant: it often determines thebiological productivity of that water.Acidic water (pH less than 7) is normallyless productive than alkaline water(pH greater than 7). Acidic water usuallylacks certain essential chemicalconstituents and, in particular, haslower levels of calcium. Thesechemicals are essential for the growthof many plants and the recycling ofnutrients. Acidic waters rarely harbourdense populations of aquatic creatures.If they do, then the creatures maybe specialised for life in acidicenvironments. Most coarse fisheriesare at their most productive when theyare slightly alkaline, with a pH between7.5 and 8.5.

It is possible to manage the chemistryof the water within a fishery. However,you should only do this as part of awider, sustainable site-managementplan. The first step is always to tacklethe source of the problem, for example

excess nutrients. The advice of ourlocal officers should be sought beforeyou make any chemical improvements.

Excess nutrientsOccasionally, enclosed (and indeedrunning) waters may contain excessnutrients. The term for such over-enriched waters is eutrophic. In suchcases, thick algal blooms often occurduring the summer months andrestricted light penetration. The levelof dissolved oxygen may also becomeso low that fish die.

What causes this to happen?Eutrophication can be caused by a


number of things, including nutrient-rich agricultural run-off, sewageeffluent, excess bait build-up andlarge numbers of waterfowl. Hightemperatures also make the problemworse. You must identify the source ofthe problem, and do everything youcan to solve it, before you make anyattempts to manipulate nutrient levels.

One way of managing excessivenutrients is through the application ofbarley straw. For smaller stillwatersbarley straw can be netted up in smallbags. The bags need to be loose toallow water to flow through them. Asthe straw decomposes, chemicals arereleased that act as a natural herbicideto kill the algae. However, this is aquick-fix method. It is only useful as afirst step in an integrated managementregime for algae. Barley straw is bestapplied in spring. Subsequent methodsinclude planting more submergedplants and plants with floating leaves.This increases the amount of shadeand reduces the amount of nutrient

run-off entering the stillwater. If densestocks of some fish are contributing tothe problem, you may need to reducefish stock levels in order to controlexcessive nutrients.

Depleted nutrientsFisheries can also experience periodsof depleted nutrients. This is especiallycommon in older, established poolswhere nutrients necessary for plantgrowth become locked within thesediments causing a decline inproductivity. This can result in thesediment becoming increasingly acid,slowing the breakdown of organicmatter such as plants and leaves, andreleasing fewer nutrients into the waterfor use by plants.

To increase the productivity of an oldpool it may be necessary to raise thepH or alkalinity of the mud. This willpromote plant growth. There are anumber of ways of doing this. Choosethe method that is appropriate to thecharacter of the water.


There may be a different reason for yourproblems, so make sure acidificationis to blame before adding lime, assymptoms similar to acidification mayresult from other problems. Test thepH at various times of the day over anumber of weeks. This will allow youto reliably determine the range of pHvalues. In addition, ask our local officerfor advice.

New pools created in rich soil willgenerally be productive. However poolsin gravel pits, clay pits and sandpitscontain few plant nutrients – they aretherefore not productive to begin with.Nutrients may also be lost from lakesif a stream or groundwaterflows through them.Fertilisers can be added toenhance the productivityof stillwaters, but you willneed to be careful if youare to avoid pollution,damage to protectedspecies or rapid removal taking place.

Fertilisers and limingArtificial fertilisation can increasenutrients in stillwater fisheries wherenutrients are depleted. Be aware thatthis approach can dramatically affectthe ecology of the water. Great care isalways needed. Fisheries managersshould get help from one of our localofficers when developing a site-management plan. This should addressthe possible effects of fertilisation onplants and animals in the area. Youmust also consider the interests of allother users of the water – both in thestillwater itself and wherever thewater moves on to.

Mesotrophic lakes arecharacterised by having anarrow range of nutrients.They are particularlysensitive to changes innutrient levels. We havedeveloped a specificaction plan for managingthese types of waters.


You can get advice on managingmesotrophic lakes from our localofficers.

Hydrated lime, crushed limestone andslag all produce an alkaline reaction inwater and in pond soil. This aids therelease of nutrients for plants. Do notuse these products unless you haveevidence of acidic or poorly bufferedwater chemistry, or that organic matteris accumulating in acid soil conditions.

Phosphate is frequently a limiting plantnutrient for algal growth, but needs tobe added with care, as it is rapidlyremoved in the presence of calciumand can also promote blue-green algalblooms that may be toxic. Optionsinclude Super Phosphate, a solublephosphate compound, and fertiliserssuch as well-rotted farmyard manure.Great care is needed with the latter.The rotting down of organic manuresin water can cause extremely lowoxygen levels, which may kill fish. Itcan also introduce excessive

phosphates that result in algalblooms.

Another way of enriching a pool is todrain it so that it dries out over winter.The pond mud becomes oxidised incontact with air. When the pond isrefilled, this mud releases nutrientsalts to the water. This increasesproductivity.

If you are thinking about applying anyfertiliser, consider carefully theproblems that may occur fromexcessive nutrients. Always look at thepossible effect on protected species.Legislation may apply to the use ofwaste products. Ask us for advicebefore you start.

StratificationStillwaters are often deep enough toform “layers” of water with differenttemperatures. This is called thermalstratification. It occurs because of thelarge differences in density (weight)between warm and cold waters.


Summer stratification can result in theformation of anoxic (without oxygen)layers in deeper water. If levels ofdissolved oxygen in a stillwaterbecome too low, it can result in apartial or total fish kill. Most stillwaterswill naturally destratify in the autumnwhen temperatures fall. The properapplication of aeration or mixingequipment can help to manage most ofthe difficulties and nuisance conditionsassociated with stratification. Howeverthese are only short-term tools. Long-term solutions may involve shallowing(infilling) or increasing surface watermovement (tree removal).

Biological improvementsWhen done with care, the provision ofreefs and manipulation of water qualitymay produce a marked improvementin stillwater fisheries. The addition ofplant species may also improve thefishery or its local environment. Careshould be taken when consideringbiological introductions and youshould seek advice from one of ourlocal officers before introducing plantspecies. Avoid non-native species, aswell as invasive species and plants withgrowth that can be difficult to control.We can advise you on the safe stockingof fish.

It is an offence to intentionally pick, uproot,destroy, possess or sell any wild plants listed in Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is an offence to kill, injure, take, possess, sell or destroy any wild animal listed inSchedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act.


The Wildlife and Countryside Act1981 (WCA 81) provides protection to many species, including plants. The legislation outlined on page 12applies.

Cross section of a pond edge

Terrestrialvegetation

Marginalplants

Emergentplants

Submerged plants

Detritus

Floatingleaved plants

This diagram shows the different zonesthat plants grow in. These zones can beapplied to rivers or lakes.

Littoral zone

Introducing plantsThere are a large number of differentwater plants growing wild in Britain.They fall into four main categories:

• submerged;• free-floating;• floating – leaved;• emergent/marginal.


Plant material andavailabilityGenerally the vegetative (growth-related) parts of plants are used forstocking rather than seeds. The roots or rhizomes can be obtained in two ways:

1. Buy them from a reputablecommercial nursery or aquarium.

2. Transplant them from the wild from an approved source under the WCA 81.

It may be possible to obtain materialsfrom your own lake or pond – or onenearby – if it has an excess of waterplants. If the lake or pond is not yours,you must obtain permission from theowner. Under no circumstances shouldyou transplant rare species or dig upplants without the owner’s permission.Where possible, use only locallyobtained or common plants.

Care should be taken as transplantingvegetation also carries with it the riskof transmission of unwanted animals,

plants, and diseases, such as crayfishplague, between waters. Introductionof the tiniest frond of some plants canproduce an uncontrollable problemever after. New Zealand swampstonecrop and parrot’s feather are twosuch plants. They are sold by aquaticcentres, but also occur as contaminantson other plants. Do not introduce themto natural waters.

Always get our advice before youintroduce plants.

In some stillwaters plant introductionscan be avoided by fencing off areas toencourage plant growth.

Sometimes there is very little organicmatter on the bed of the lake, forexample in newly constructed lakes.In these cases it is advisable to putthe rhizomes in a biodegradablecontainer, such as a sack, containingsoil and compost. You will find furtheradvice about plant introductions inPlanting Up Ponds, a fact sheetavailable from the Pond ConservationTrust’s website.


Found at water’s edge

Watercress Rorippa nasturtium- Usually grows half-immersed Established by pushingaquaticum in shallow flowing water. cutting into the mud,

and anchoring with a stone.

Sweet-grasses Gyceria sp. Are loosely tufted, growing by and in shallow water.

Common Phragmites australis Tallest of the aquatic grasses, reed capable of reaching 350 cm

in height and creating extensive beds.

Yellow flag Iris pseudacorus Mostly a marsh or swamp plant Spread by seed or bulb.but can grow in shallow water.

Found in water up to 0.5 m deep

Water starwort Callitriche sp. Still and flowing waters. Some species submerged, others onlypartly submerged.

Water milfoil Myriophyllum sp. Grow submerged in still and flowing water, often with long trailing stems.

Water crowfoot Ranunculus sp. Eleven species with floating or submerged trailing leaves.

(continued overleaf)

Common name Scientific name Comments

A selection of common plants


Found in water 0.5 m to 1.25 m deep

Broad-leaved Potamogeton natans Easy to establish and Emergent speciespond weed extensively used by should be notch

invertebrates. However, planted at the edge ofleaves can form a dense the water or in 20cm cover over water, which of water or thereaboutsimpedes fishing and other (depending on theforms of recreation. species).

Lilies Nuphar lutea Establishment accelerated if(yellow water-lily) planted in sacks or cardboardand Nymphaea alba tubs of 50:50 rotted manure(white water-lily) and soil. Some control needed

to prevent excess shading. Thisspecies can spread slowly and can suppress growth of more troublesome submerged plants.

Found in deep water

Stonewort Chara sp of green algae Fast growing, good for Submerged and floatingdisturbed habitats where leaved plants areother plants might struggle. generally planted by

attaching a weight tothe stems and throwingor dropping them intothe water at therequired place.

Common name Scientific name Comments

A selection of common plants (continued)


Australian or Crassula helmsii Will grow on damp margins of DO NOT PRACTICENew Zealand ponds and in water up to 3 m MECHANICAL CONTROLswamp stonecrop deep. Dense mats out-compete ON THIS PLANT.

all other aquatic vegetation, Chemical control iseliminating native flora and the best option.creating a poor ecosystem for invertebrates and fish.

Floating Hydrocotyle Forms dense interwoven mats Long-term programmepennywort ranunculoides of vegetation which can quickly of chemical treatment.

cover the water surface, inter- Any cutting can causefering with ecology and affecting spread downstream.amenity uses of the water.

Giant hogweed Heracleum Is colonising many areas of All cutting should bemantegazzianum waste land and river banks. done carefully, using a

Can grow to 5 m high and form hand scythe, and withdense colonies that suppress appropriate protectivethe growth of native plants and clothing. Chemicalgrasses and leave the banks treatment is possiblebare of vegetation in the winter. at early stages.Sap causes painful blistersand severe irritation.

Himalayan Impatiens Is rapidly colonising riverbanks Cut close to groundbalsam glandulifera and damp ground. Forms dense before seedpods have

stands, which suppress the formed. Chemicalgrowth of native British plants treatment is possible.leaving the banks bare ofvegetation in autumn andwinter and liable to erosion.

(continued overleaf)

Common name Scientific name Problem Eradication

Table of unsuitable plants


We can advise you how to controlinvasive species in or near freshwater. You need our permission to

carry out chemical control. This makessure chemical control is appropriateand does not harm protected species.

Japanese Fallopia Forms dense stands, which DO NOT PRACTICEknotweed japonica severely impede access to MECHANICAL CONTROL

riverbanks and shade out ON THIS PLANT.native species – leaving the Chemical control isbanks bare and liable to the best option.erosion in winter. The rhizomescan penetrate, damage anddisplace stone and concreteembankments and structures.

Parrot’s Myriophyllum Non-native plant that spreads DO NOT CONFUSE WITHfeather aquaticum through asexual means. MILFOIL. Chemical

control is possible. Takeaction to reduce nutrientinputs to water forlong-term eradication.

Canadian Elodea canadensis This species is not legally Combined regime ofpondweed controlled. However it can form pulling, cutting and

dense stands that can quickly chemical treatment.choke a pool. It causesproblems by competing fornutrients and outgrowingmany native species.

Common name Scientific name Problem Eradication

Table of unsuitable plants (continued)


As with stillwaters, you should developa sustainable management plan withthe guidance of our local officers. First,assess the existing state of the river.Next, identify and manage any pollutinginputs or features. Tackle the source ofthe problem before you start makinghabitat improvements – that way theresults can be sustainable.

Instream river improvement devicesinclude those which impound or modifyriver flow (current deflectors, low damsand weirs, bank stabilisation devicesand similar), devices that providedirect cover (submerged shelters, and artificial bank cover devices) andthose that improve spawning areas.

Modification of river habitatsBefore carrying out any of themodifications outlined in this booklet,you must get permission from ourlocal office. Your proposals have to beappropriate for your fishery and thewider river basin management plan.You may need a geomorphologicalstudy to be carried out before weapprove river and habitat works. Such a study would look at thecharacteristics and arrangement ofrocks and land forms near rivers.

You must also comply with relevantlegislation. The general principle isthat you should only undertakehabitat improvement works whereprevious engineering or modificationsof the river environment have reducedthe natural extent and/or diversity of

Habitat improvement techniques in running water often needto be physical structures. This is because chemicals are quicklyflushed out of a river, and plants are more difficult to introduce.

Running waters


habitats. You may find it helpful torefer to the Manual of River RestorationTechniques (2002). This providesexamples of all the techniquesdiscussed, case studies and furtherinformation. You can get a copy ofthis from the River Restoration Centrewebsite.

Bank stabilisation devicesMany factors may increase the erosionof banks. Erosion often contributessignificantly to an increased sedimentload in rivers. Remember though that

bank erosion is an important naturalprocess in rivers. It is essential to thedevelopment of river geomorphologyand in turn underpins the naturaldevelopment of habitat. Erosion is oneof the ways that gravel is introducedand produced in many river systems.Therefore you should only attempt tostabilise banks when a widerinvestigation has shown that erosionrates are higher than they should be.Check sites for the presence ofprotected species, such as watervoles, before you start bankmanipulation.

If you want to carry out works to restore orenhance a river, you need prior consent fromthe Environment Agency under:• Section 109 of the Water Resources Act

(1991) – for watercourses designated as a main river;

• Section 23 of the Land Drainage Act (1991) –for unclassified watercourses.

In some areas, you may also need consentunder the Land Drainage Byelaws.


A wide range of techniques andmaterials are available for the purposeof riverbank protection. The type ofbank stabilisation used should beappropriate for the local environmentalconditions.

Soft protection methods can be anattractive means of achievingprotection while creating wildlifehabitat. For example, grass, reed and/or willow planting provide a form ofbank protection that seeks to emulatenatural conditions.

Intermediate protection techniquesprovide physical protection for ariverbank, yet at the same time possesssome natural characteristics. Examplesinclude willow spiling and willowfaggots. In some situations you willneed to use more robust methods.However, these do not provide suitablehabitat for wildlife.

Tackle the cause of banksidedeterioration before you startstabilisation work. For example, you

can deal with over-grazing by usingstock fencing to restrict cattle access.This allows bankside vegetation torecover and act as a natural buffer to erosion.

Current deflectorsCurrent deflectors use the natural riverflow to create pools and riffles. Onlyuse them in river systems where poolor riffle sequences would naturallyoccur but where they have been lostdue to engineering or modification. As current deflectors can changedramatically the geomorphologyof a river, you should carry out a geomorphological study before work starts.


Current deflectors – the position of deflectors is critical for optimum results

Deflect flowto protecterodingbanks

Deflect flowto createpool throughscouring inshallowriffle areas

Deflect flowinto singlechannel

45 degreesfrom bank

Flow

Flow

Scour

Island

Current deflectors work by raising thewater level upstream of them. Thismay provide more shelter for fish andsiltation may occur slightly in theslower water upstream. Below thedeflectors, the water depth is reducedand water speed increases. If deflectors

are inappropriately positioned theycan either have no benefits or increaseerosion of the opposite bank. Correctlypositioned, deflectors can be effectivein recreating the pool and riffle natureof a stream. However, take care toprevent harm to protected species.


GravelsGravels provide spawning areas formost salmonid species and somecoarse fish, such as dace and chub.These fish spawn on gravel where thesubstrate size, and the speed, depthand temperature of the water aresuitable. Manipulating the gravelswithin a river by dredging or othermeans is generally not advised. This isto safeguard the river’s geomorphologyand the channel habitats upon whichso many birds, invertebrates, plantcommunities and fish depend. Youcan find more information about thisin our booklet Protecting River Gravels.This is available from the EnvironmentAgency website.

Artificial cover devicesShelter is important to provide coverfor prey and predator, as well asincreasing habitat diversity. Over-hanging banks, hedges or bankvegetation are all natural forms of

shelter. However, there are artificialcover devices which are designed toserve the same function. These are:

• platforms constructed above thewater surface;

• floating overhanging platforms;• smaller structures such as fly

boards.

Bankside treesTrees are an essential part of theenvironment. They are hosts to a largenumber of organisms – lichens, fungi,worms, liverworts, insects, otherinvertebrates, mammals and birds.Trees create cover for fish. Their smallfeathery roots are used as a substratefor spawning, and abundant insectlife can develop in the tree canopy.Trees may also protect riverbanksfrom accelerated erosion and provideadded landscape value. Their shadecan reduce the development of weed,reduce water temperatures, and createpatches of water with increased levelsof dissolved oxygen.


In flood risk areas, you need to thinkcarefully about where best to planttrees and bushes. You must avoidcreating significant obstructions toflood flow. In addition, where it isrequired, access to the river mustbe maintained.

Trees and the widerenvironmentIf you plant trees on the bank of anotherwise barren watercourse, youcan usually increase the numbers offish that the water can support.However, too many trees will producetoo much shade. This can suppressfringing vegetation and reduce thesuitable instream habitat for fish.Manage trees in batches to leave amix of sizes along the fishery.

Clearing scrub may result in the loss ofbird nest sites. Changes in coppicingmethods may put local animalpopulations at risk. If coppicing isreduced, a closed canopy may developover extensive areas. If this happensyou may lose dormice from the site –they do not like too much shade.Contact the Mammal Society to checkif there are dormice at your site. Onthe other hand, woodland animalsmay also be adversely affected ifcoppiced areas are too big, leavingopen gaps that they cannot cross.

You cannot cut down or cut back treesthat are being used as bat roosts – ifyou are in any doubt contact your localbat group. Your local Wildlife Trust canprovide details on your local mammaland bat groups. Trees may also have atree protection order on them. Checkthis with your local authority.

The Land Drainage Act 1976 says that you must have the prior consent of the EnvironmentAgency, if you want to plant any tree, shrub, or other similar growth within 8 metres ofany part of the river bank.


Planting treesDetailed guidance on how to plantand take care of trees is widelyavailable. You can obtain guides from:the Forestry Commission, The TreeCouncil, local authorities and localWildlife Trusts. Only plant trees withthe landowner’s permission and withthe appropriate consent from theEnvironment Agency. This is importantas many areas have land drainagebyelaws that regulate, or in somecases prohibit, the planting of trees onbanksides. The normal tree-plantingseason is November to March.

GrantsGrants may be available for plantingtrees, but are not likely to be awardedfor small numbers. If the area involvedis large enough or if the planting canbe incorporated into a larger scheme,then grants may well be available. Formore information contact the ForestryCommission or your local authority.

Improvement of accessYou can improve access for angling bybuilding a fishing platform. The LandDrainage Act 1976 states that you needthe consent of the Environment Agencybefore you construct any fishingplatform on a main river. Take care notto damage nature conservation sites.We can give you advice aboutconstructing angling platforms.Contact the British Disabled AnglingAssociation for information aboutimproving access for disabled anglers.Their website is listed at the end ofthis booklet.


Willow, Salix alba Quick growing, responsive to management. Best managedand Salix fragilis as pollards. Cut back some 2.5–3 m above ground: the

new shoots will grow from the top, out of the reach ofcattle. New willow trees can be propagated from shootsfrom existing willows. Cut straight branches to the size ofclothes-line posts and place firmly into the ground. Theshoots from these posts will require cutting backapproximately once every ten years, providing materialfor other uses. Smaller bush willows can be propagatedfrom cuttings. Cut back occasionally to near the ground.

Alder, Alnus glutinosa High numbers of insects in foliage. Quick growing,responsive to management. Can be cut to ground andallowed to shoot again. Need to be protected frombrowsing stock for ten years. Alders suffer from the lethalfungal disease Phytophthora; symptoms include tarry orrusty spots on the bark and abnormally small, yellowleaves. We have a leaflet about Phytophthora disease.This is available on our website

Black poplar Populus nigra ssp. betulifolia This species is native to woods by rivers. Numbers havefallen dramatically since 17th century. Sensible plantingof this species is encouraged.

Common name Comment

Types of trees suitable for the waterside


Publications‘Buyer Beware!’ Your guide to stockingfish (1996). Environment Agency

Planting Up Ponds. Fact sheetavailable from The Pond ConservationTrust – www.brookes.ac.uk/pondaction/publications/plantingupponds.pdf

Protecting river gravels: Why removinggravels can be bad for rivers. (2005)Conservation & Ecology, EnvironmentAgency

Phytophthora disease of Alder. (1997)Advisory Booklet. Environment Agency

Guidance for the control of invasiveweeds in or near freshwater. (2003)Advisory Booklet, Environment Agency

Manual of River Restoration Techniques2002 Update. (2002) Available fromthe River Restoration Centre –www.theRRC.co.uk/manual.php

WebsitesEnvironment Agencywww.environment-agency.gov.uk

Joint Nature Conservation Committeewww.jncc.gov.uk

Forestry Commissionwww.forestry.gov.uk

Tree Councilwww.treecouncil.org.uk

British Disabled Angling Associationwww.bdaa.co.uk

Mammal Societywww.abdn.ac.uk/mammal/

Further sourcesof information

GEHO0606BKUP-E-P

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Then call us on 08708 506 506 (Mon–Fri 8–6)

[email protected]

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