The New Forest HLS scheme is restoring miles of artificially straightened streams to their natural meanders. Here, monitoring officer Gemma tells you how we monitor these restorations.
So far, the scheme has returned more than nine miles of streams to their natural meandering routes, protecting the New Forest’s internationally-important wetlands by slowing water flow.
The project aims to increase the New Forest’s resilience in the face of modern day pressures, such as population growth and increased visitor numbers. It is a rare opportunity to conserve fragile habitats and support commoners on such a large scale.
The project is now expanding its monitoring work to gather an even greater range of scientifically robust evidence concerning the effectiveness of its various restoration techniques. The work will shed more light on the environmental benefits of the scheme and any improvements that could be made in the future.