Sustainable Water: Uncertainty, Risk and Vulnerability in Europe

SWURVE Case Studies

Case Study 8

Ecological Impacts of Climate Variability

This Case Study will investigate the river Eden in NW England, which has been designated a Special Area for Conservation (SAC) in respect of its fish population, so that it will be subject to the EU Habitats Directive.

An important aspect will be the review of current abstraction licences and of future applications to abstract water. There is potential for conflicting interests in the use of the river.

In common with many salmon populations across Europe, the upstream migration pattern in the river has changed substantially, with a marked reduction in the numbers of multi-seawinter ('spring') fish. The Environment Agency have overall responsibility for freshwater fisheries management in the catchment, and are developing and supporting several initiatives to investigate and understand the problem before the fishery can be managed in a sustainable manner. They are currently investigating the potential ecological implications of increased abstraction.

They have also commissioned studies to review, from existing records, the relationship between river flows and fish movement, and the potential impact on salmonids of an increase in abstraction. This information will be made available as a contribution to the Case Study.

It is proposed to investigate the relationship between river flow and upstream migration of Atlantic salmon in the river. The fisheries work will be undertaken in a sub-contract by specialist staff of the collaborating end-user, the Institute of Freshwater Ecology, in conjunction with staff from the EA, which has already agreed to commit its own resources (staff and materials) to the case study.

The project will also examine the implications of various climate change scenarios on such a management policy.

<< Back to Case Studies

• Case Study 1 Surface water reservoir system
• Case Study 2 Combined sewer overflows
• Case Study 3 Lake regulation operations
• Case Study 4 Hydropower operation
• Case Study 5 Transboundary river basins
• Case Study 6 Public water supply
• Case Study 7 Rhine discharges
• Case Study 8 Ecological impacts of climate variability