Water Quality Assessments

Water quality, and the volume which is both retained and flowing through a landscape is revealed through assessments to create a picture of ecosystem health and resilience. Data collected is used to identify potential issues like pollution or aquatic or terrestrial habitat degradation.

Aquatic ecosystems provide critical habitats for many species of plants and animals which act as food sources for species living in wider terrestrial habitats. Assessing water bodies for quality of habitats helps land managers identify and protect priority areas for biodiversity.

Water quality assessments provide early detection and opportunity for management of invasive and non-native species, which can disrupt native ecosystems and damage habitats. When detected in a specific location, mitigation plans can also be put in place to stop the spread.

Nutrient levels, pollutants and pH levels are all indicators of water quality which help land managers identify and manage pollution incidences.  These assessments can therefore guide agricultural and land management practices to reduce and mitigate water quality degradation.

Understanding water flow and retention is key for implementing flood management and erosion control measures. through effective land use planning. Natural flood management through floodplain habitat creation and introduction of keystone species such as beavers are underpinned by the data collected through assessments.

Different localities and regions have their own regulations and legislation surrounding water quality and compliance is essential for avoiding legal issues.
What assessments are completed is determined through a variety of methods which encompass data
collection and analysis; habitat, water quality, hydrological functioning and ecological health.