Pearl Mussel Project

Snow up on site this week.

Laura has been working on a project designed to help protect the endangered Pearl Mussel populations. NRW work downstream is being completed to protect pearl mussel species and reintroduce juvenile species. This adjoining land will compliment NRW efforts downstream.

Phase 1 saw the creation of 1600m of fenced off 10m riparian buffer zones. The farmer Rhys is working with Laura to create over 2000m of riparian buffer zone to be planted in order to stabilise banks, reduce sediment and create a natural filter from run off pollution. The remaining land has seen us create a 500m stretch of riparian corridor ready for winter planting.

This image shows a 5m buffer zone created along the river, ready for planting.

Freshwater pearl mussels rely on trout to complete their lifecycle. Attaching their eggs to the gills of brown trout. Therefore we hope to use tree shade to mitigate the in weed growth on the spawning gravels and introduce woody debris over time to scour the gravels and create shaded habitat from birds of prey. The planting of Alders will reinforce the banks and reduce sediment loss. To compliment this we are also hoping to design and create mini wetland strips to filter out sediment as it enters the river from run off.

Laura has been liaising closely with the NRW Freshwater Pearl Mussel officer Katie, who is working on adjoining land to protect and reintroduce juvenile species to the river. So far NRW has completed work to reintroduce gravels to create habitat, block ditches to stop sediment runoff/fast flow, and planted trees to create shade and habitat for fish.

NWRT Phase 2, will see the installation of solar pumps for the cattle so they do not enter the river to drink, and the planting of riparian buffer zones.