Ecology and Landscape

Otters and the BFAP

Otters were once widespread throughout the Broads and across Britain, however a sharp decline in population during the 1950s and 1960s saw otters receive nationally protected status. These are just one of the many species that lives in the Broadland Flood Alleviation Project area.

To learn more about otters in the BFAP area; how we survey for them and how we take account of them during works click on the link below.

Piling removal monitoring surveys

As a form of soft engineering BESL, where appropriate, build setback banks. Removed to a distance of some 20-30 metres behind the existing bank a large area is formed between the old and the new bank which in time will form an extensive reedbed.

Click on the link below to read about the erosion monitoring associated with this work and the records generated.

River Waveney Crayfish Survey

A survey of the River Waveney was undertaken in the autumn of 2005 to determine the presence or absence of native crayfish, prior to erosion protection works being undertaken in 2006.

Dusk and Dawn Bat Survey

In August and September 2005 BESL undertook a detailed dusk and dawn bat survey of the Waveney Valley. The survey was undertaken by boat on the river by members of the BESL environmental team and a qualified bat expert. The aim of the survey was to provide the project with information about potential summer roosts (e.g. temporary/nursery roosts) and to ensure that the correct mitigation measures are implemented when tree clearance is required to enable flood defence improvement works.

Invertebrate Monitoring

Within the Broadland Flood Alleviation Project area there are a number of locally, regionally and nationally rare species of invertebrates, some of which are afforded legal protection. If rare and/or protected species are known to occur within an area, BESL will aim to avoid impacts wherever possible by making adjustments to scheme design. Mitigation measures are also often implemented to minimise any remaining impacts, which cannot be avoided

Biological Records

One of the benefits of the Broadland Project is the large amount of new data that is generated from our field surveys. In addition to the targeted surveys (e.g. water voles; winter bird counts) we also add incidental records of other species/groups whilst out on site.

Bird and bat mitigation in the Waveney Valley

BESL have undertaken extensive tree and scrub clearance in the Waveney Valley as part of the flood defence works.

Before any trees are removed possible roosting sites for bats, and nesting sites for both bats and birds are identified. BESL carried out a bat survey of compartments 26, 27 and 28 with a bat specialist. The scope of the survey was agreed in partnership with the Broads Authority and a Species Protection Officer from English Nature. Further surveys have been carried out by qualified BESL staff members in additional compartments.

Appropriate trees are identified and retained, in addition bat and bird boxes are erected to encourage habitation.

UK Biodiversity Action Plan

In June 1992, the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) was signed by 159 governments at the Earth Summit, which took place in Rio de Janeiro. It entered into force on 29 December 1993, and was the first treaty to provide a legal framework for biodiversity conservation. It called for the creation and enforcement of national strategies and action plans to conserve, protect and enhance biological diversity.

The UK Governments response to the CBD was the UK BAP, which describes the UK's biological resources, and commits a detailed plan for the protection of those resources. Currently there are published action plans for 391 species and 45 habitats of conservation concern, providing national priorities and targets for action (further information is available from the UK BAP website:

Scarce Plants and Mitigation

Before carrying out any improvement works, BESL's environment team undertake rare and scarce plant surveys. If species are found BESL ensure that the correct mitigation procedures are followed in order to not adversely affect rare and scarce plant communities.



Please click on the links below to view information on rare and scarce plants found in Broadland and the associated mitigation.

Grass wrack pondweek survey

Grass-wrack pondweed - article

Reptile Surveys

Great Britain supports a small reptile population comprising six species. Within the Broads Executive Area four reptile species, adder (Vipera berus), slow worm (Anguis fragilis), common lizard (Lacerta vivipara), and grass snake (Natrix natrix), are known to be present.

Water Vole Mitigation

The Water Vole is an UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species. Recent evidence suggests that the species has undergone a long-term decline in Britain. This is thought to be due to a variety of factors, including predation by American Mink, habitat degradation, clearance of bankside vegetation and dredging due to riverside works and poor water quality.

Invasive Species

Many of the most widely known invasive species are known to occur within the aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats of Broadland. Where these species have been identified in the Broadland Flood Alleviation Project area BESL has undertaken remedial measures in partnership with the Broads Authority and the Environment Agency to monitor and control these species.