New Forest Wetland Monitoring Review – 2020
In 2020 we commissioned a review to analyse monitoring data collected from wetland restoration sites in the New Forest since 2014. Different types of data were analysed for the review, including fixed point photos, channel data, freshwater invertebrate surveys, electrofishing, spawning surveys, timelapse photography, 360 photography, water quality data, vegetation surveys, water level/temperature logs, MoRPh surveys and Riverfly surveys.
The review found signs of positive impacts on various aspects of the wetland environment:
- Physical features in the channel/floodplain and water quality
- How water moves through the system, including interaction with the floodplain
- Plant and animal communities, including fish and freshwater invertebrates.
Follow the links on the right to read the full report.
New Forest Wetland Monitoring Review – 2015
In 2015 we commissioned a study that was undertaken by independent experts from the River Restoration Centre in collaboration with Jonathan Cox Associates – you can read it below. The study included vegetation field surveys to assess wetland habitats after restoration.
Four of the sites were restored as part of the HLS scheme: Akercome Bottom (2010/11), Fletchers Thorns (2011), Penny Moor (2012/13) and Soldiers Bog (2013/14). The other sites were restored as part of previous schemes: Holly Hatch (2005), North Oakley (2005), Dames Slough Inclosure (2005) and White Moor (2006).
The study found evidence of sustained positive changes at all eight sites. This included improvements in habitat quality as well as restored physical functioning of mire and river systems. (See below)