An important part of our work in the Environment Team is making sure that we protect and enhance wildlife habitats on our sites. Since 2022 we have been increasing and improving the available fish habitats in the river Cuckmere, particularly at modified parts such as a concrete lined section upstream of the weir at Arlington Reservoir.
We successfully varied the vegetation structure along the riverbank by installing three large trees to anchor pre-planted coir mattresses in place and installing new fence lines to stop livestock grazing the river bank. The coir mattresses are made from coconut fibres and are planted with native wetland species which provide shelter, shade and a food source for fish, as well as insects and amphibians.
This summer we installed an additional three large dead trees upstream of the existing dead wood structures. These are attached to the riverbank by wooden posts and stainless-steel rods and help to hold in place pre-planted coir mattresses fixed to the top of the concrete bank. These mattresses were pre-planted with a native mix of sedges, grasses, rushes and wildflowers that include lesser pond sedge Carex acutiformis, soft rush Juncus effusus and purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria.
The branches of the trees extend into the water and provide shade and cover for fish. The aim is that this enhancement work will lead to further improvement in fish species diversity and number within this heavily modified section of the river.
You can find out more about our work to boost biodiversity here
Share this Article: