River Ecology Training: 25-08-2015

Today we were lucky enough to be able to attend another training session. This time 13 of us met with Paul to listen to Dan Turner and Caitlin Pearson from the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust. We spent the morning in the Council Chambers in Pateley Bridge learning about the work of the Trust and the many river improvement projects that it is involved in. 

Dan highlighted the many issues that can reduce the quality of rivers and then focused on the various strategies that can be used to reconnect rivers to their floodplains, reduce sedimentation and erosion, eradicate invasive species and ensure that fish are able to migrate to spawn. Caitlin focused on the invertebrates that live in rivers and how they can be used as indicators of river pollution levels. We were also introduced to kick sampling and walk over surveying.

Click HERE to access the powerpoint presentations used during the training session.

Following this input we tried to identify a number of invertebrates that had been captured before the session started in a kick sample. This was fascinating - and the use of two stereoscopic micoscopes helped us see the tiny creatures much more easily. 

Now then Terry and Osian - 

what exactly have you got there?

 Chris uses a turkey baster to suck out the 

interesting fauna from the debris. 

Or is she basting a stonefly nymph?

Left a bit. Right a bit. Stop.

Ah - there it is!

 

There it was indeed. Now - how many legs? 

Jointed or not? More than one tail? ....

After a pleasant lunch break in the churchyard we then headed out along the River Nidd, towards Wath, in order to do some practical work. We had a go at kick sampling, identifying and estimating the size of catch and carrying out a walk over survey. Lots of fun was had by all! 

The NCVs enjoy the sunshine 

(and Anita's home grown cherry tomatoes)

 The group set off for their afternoon practical session.

Graham and Jo have a go at kick sampling.....

The catch is transferred carefully to a tray.

Now - let's all have a look to see what we've caught.

The walk over survey clearly shows the effect of fencing on river bank vegetation.

Where sheep can reach the water's edge there is no Himalayn Balsam. 

Now - does that give anyone any ideas???

Playtime over, the NCVs head back home.

Thanks to Dan and Caitlin for the interesting, informative and enjoyable day.

Meanwhile - in Fishpond Wood another 5 NCVs continued the hard work of installing more of the orienteering posts....

Julia shifts the gravel....

...whilst the men stand by and watch her.

Now - is that in straight?.

Ros E.