The broads 2 Flashcards
What are the broads?
60 broads (small lakes) linked by 200km of navigable waterways.
Threats to the broads on the physical environment from human activities. What threats are caused by agriculture?
• Drainage of Broads for arable use (e.g. with mills – Barton broad) • Pollution (nutrient enrichment via sewage and farming) – eutrophication of toxic blue & green algae
Threats to the broads on the physical environment from human activities. What threats are caused by industry?
• Navigation has equal weighting to conservation – bank erosion (washes sediment into the river – eutrophication) • Tourism - waterside development, 7.4m visitors in 2015 • Invasive non-native species (killer shrimp spread by boat/ fishing equipment from Windmere – eat dragonfly nymphs and fish eggs, Canadian balsam, American white-coloured crayfish, coypus and terrapins) – take over ecological niche (out-compete water voles and otters)
Threats to the broads on the physical environment from human activities. What threats are caused by settlement?
• Urbanisation (increase in settlement – 40,000 new homes by 2029
Threats to the broads on the physical environment from human activities. What threats are caused by recreation?
• Sensitive upper reaches of rivers (quieter stretches) disturbed by activities like canoeing • Disturbance to breeding and nesting birds (185 miles of footpaths)
Threats to the broads on the physical environment from human activities. What threats are caused by management?
• Lack of habitat management – EU uncertainty means the Broads ecosystem could become neglected (European Wetland Agency give funds to DEFRA who give funds to the Broads Authority. Boat tolls provides the majority of funding. UK gov funding may not be available.
Conservation to reduce threats; What are the flagship species?
Flagship species include kingfishers and water voles.
Conservation to reduce threats; Which organisation was set up in response to the algae bloom in the broads?
Clear water 2000
Describe clear water 2000.
• Clear Water 2000 (in response to fertilisers/ sewage causing eutrophication) cornered-off area at Barton broad– trillions of daphnia released and proliferate to consume microscopic algae (biomanipulation) and fish removed (electro-fishing and geotextile plastic barriers). New equipment at sewage treatment works upstream to remove nutrients. 4 years of constant dredging to remove 300,000 tonnes of nutrient-rich soil (£700,000 scheme), lagoons built to dry and remove mud which is now used for farming. = return of water plants.
Describe an organisation aiming to reduce the impact of business on the broads.
• The Green Tourism Business Scheme: Greening the Broads (UK’s leading sustainable tourism certification scheme endorsed by VisitBritain) – giving bronze silver and gold awards based on business’ sustainability. Promotes action plans of developing green policy(e.g. using local produce (Fairhaven Water Garden), eco-friendly cleaners (no phosphates/nitrates, biodegradable), environmentally friendly staff training, marketing, water monitoring, recycling, public transport routes (Broadland Cycle Hire).
Describe the work of the broads authority and plan to reduce the impact of threats on the broads.
Broads Authority (Special Statutory Authority – Norfolk Broads Act 1988): conserve, enhance, promote opportunities, maintain navigation
Funding from DEFRA (EU 2003) and from tolls from licensed boats
Sustainable boating – electric power, biofuel and operating ‘RA’ (Britain’s first solar-powered passenger boat). Speed limits (4-6 mph) and signs ‘narrow river, proceed slowly’ to reduce boat wash. Electricity posts to power electric engines. River inspector to maintain the Broads: enforce speed limit and licenses – fine for no license
Ban of cassette (sea) toilet to reduce eutrophication via sewage pollution/ chemical contaminants
The Broads Plan – aims for the conservation of the Broads. Includes planning for the long term future, working in partnership and encouraging its sustainable use.
How is tourism managed to reduce threats?
European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas, Beacon Council status for ‘Promoting Sustainable Tourism’
Canoe and bike hire networks (promoting green transport)
How is the braids habitat maintained with conservation?
- Integrated sediment management - bitumen matting to allow reeds to grow (establish vegetation) – roots bind sediment – PRISMA project at Salhouse to recreate the reed bed. Fences built to secure from plant-eating geese.
- Soft management - 25 ponies are at Barton (can be sponsored) to prevent succession as they consume vegetation
- Maintenance and planting of trees to protect the river banks (tree pollarding to reduce wind velocity)
Sustainable management, how are alien species managed?
Encouragement to check, clean and dry clothing and fishing equipment to reduce invasive killer shrimp (target specific groups – canoers, fishers etc)
Reward for catching coypus (invasive species) – outcompete water voles and otters
Sustainable management, how are certain species encouraged?
- The Broads Barn Owl Project – conserve population by producing 50 barn owl and kestrel nest boxes by the Broads Authority & by providing advice to landowners on how to manage grassland (to support voles and mice)
- Fen raft spider (listed as vulnerable) being reintroduced (breeding programme reared and released 1000 babies on the RSPB’s Mid Yare reserve)
