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Table 1: Summary of monitoring programme at Alkborough
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Alkborough Managed Realignment
Table of content
- 1. Measure description
- 1a. Measure description
- 1b. Monitoring
- 1c. Monitoring results
- 2. Execution of main effectiveness criteria
- 2a. Effectiveness according to development targets of measure
- 2b. Impact on ecosystem services
- 2c. Degree of synergistic effects and conflicts according to uses
- 3. Additional evaluation criteria in view of EU environmental law
- 3a. Degree of synergistic effects and conflicts according to WFD aims
- 3b. Degree of synergistic effects according to Natura 2000 aims
- 4. Crux of the matter
- 5. Literature
Monitoring
A 10 year monitoring programme is planned at Alkborough. The first 5-year phase of monitoring began in 2007 and will be reviewed in 2011/12 and altered accordingly. For the first 5 years a detailed monitoring programme has been established to assess the general development of the site and ensure it has provided functioning intertidal habitat. Mudflat development and accretion, invertebrates (including estuarine and those inhabiting freshwater/brackish features), saltmarsh communities, aquatic plants (inhabiting freshwater/brackish features), fish and epibenthos, and birds are being monitored at the site. Additional information is collected adjacent to the site including fresh water invertebrates, odonata and water vole surveys. The monitoring results are reported back to the Environment Agency and the Environmental Steering Committee. Table 1 below shows the parameters monitored at Alkborough.Table 1: Summary of monitoring programme at Alkborough
| Construction | Start Date | Initial frequency | Initial duration | Adaptations to original monitoring | End date |
| Topographic survey | September following inundation | annually | 5 years post inundation | 2011 | |
| Changes to intertidal invertebrates | September following inundation | annually | 5 years post inundation | 31 stations were initially selected - A number of these stations will remain permanent throughout the five year monitoring period but as the site develops in terms of mudflat morphology and flooding characteristics, a number of these stations may have to be abandoned and new stations selected. | 2011 (additional surveys being discussed) |
| Saltmarsh composition | September following inundation | annually | 5 years post inundation | 2011 | |
| Sediments | September following inundation | annually | 5 years post inundation | Additional surveys in 2010 and 2013 | 2013 |
| Monitoring of fish | September following inundation | 3 times a year (Jun, Oct and Mar) | 5 years post inundation | 2011-2012 | |
| Waterfowl | overwinter season following inundation | Bi-monthly (Oct - Mar) | 5 years post inundation | 2011-2012 |