For Affinity Water
River restoration tree surveys
Maydencroft was commissioned by a major water company to undertake detailed river restoration tree surveys across several rare chalk streams in the southeast of England, including the Mimram, Colne, Beane, Misbourne, Ver, Lea, Chess, and Bulbourne.
Chalk streams are among the world’s rarest freshwater habitats, known for their crystal-clear, oxygen-rich water and stable, nutrient-balanced conditions that support exceptional biodiversity. Of the 260 chalk streams found globally, 224 occur in England, yet many face growing threats from abstraction, pollution, and habitat loss. These unique ecosystems support rare and protected species such as the southern chalk stream Atlantic salmon, water vole, brown trout, and water crowfoot, as well as UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species including white-clawed crayfish, southern damselfly, Desmoulin’s whorl snail, freshwater pea mussel, and depressed river mussel.
To help conserve and enhance these sensitive environments, Maydencroft carried out a comprehensive assessment of riparian tree cover and habitat structure. Management recommendations focused on maintaining ecological balance and river health by:
- Clearing obstructed channels to improve hydrology and prevent excessive bank erosion.
- Reducing or removing dense overhanging vegetation to achieve a 70:30 light-to-shade ratio, encouraging aquatic plant growth while retaining shaded refuge for wildlife.
- Retaining deadwood to provide valuable in-stream and riparian habitat.
- Managing species responsive to coppicing and pollarding to promote light penetration and stabilise riverbanks through healthy root systems.
Through this work, Maydencroft helped inform long-term management strategies that balance river restoration objectives with the protection of one of England’s most distinctive and ecologically valuable habitats.
