Protected Species | Aquatic Invertebrates

Aquatic invertebrates are ubiquitous in our watercourses and ponds and have been used for many years to investigate pollution incidents, monitor water quality and more recently to assess the impacts of low flows. 

Peak Ecology Director Jonathan Brickland leads a strong freshwater invertebrate team; he has gained many years of relevant experience in previous roles with the Environment Agency, Freshwater Habitats Trust and Canal & River Trust. The current team boast wide ranging knowledge and experience in this field, including sampling a variety of water bodies from brackish drainage ditch systems to upland oligotrophic headwater streams. Employing standard aquatic invertebrate survey methods, the samples are typically identified in the laboratory to species level.

The use of invertebrates to investigate pollution incidents can be particularly valuable, it can give an assessment of the actual impact whilst identifying other potential influences on water quality which may arise from other sources. Aquatic invertebrates also have value when assessing recovery after a pollution event has taken place. In the event of a prosecution, Peak Ecology can provide supportive survey work and expert witness if required.

Aquatic invertebrates covered by Peak Ecology include the following:

White-clawed crayfish – Peak Ecology has extensive experience of working with white-clawed crayfish and other crayfish species within the UK. There are several survey methods that we deploy, including: the standard methods, hand-searching and trapping (both July to October inclusive) as well as eDNA surveys that can be undertaken between April and October (inclusive).

Peak Ecology has a number of fully licenced crayfish ecologists with the necessary experience, this experience is particularly important when population densities are low. We can also provide training and do occasionally deliver presentations to interest groups.

Lesser Silver Water Beetle – Peak Ecology has licenced ecologists who can undertake lesser silver beetle (LSWB) Hydrocara caraboides surveys across England. The LSWB is known to be present in lowland areas of Cheshire and within the Somerset Levels. LSWB tend to be found in ponds with particular habitat criteria, including centrally floating rafts of vegetation, but can also be found in ditches and other small waterbodies. A survey may be required if any proposed works could impact on this type of waterbody in these areas.

Freshwater Pearl Mussel – Peak Ecology as licenced surveyors to undertake visual freshwater pearl mussel (FWPM) Margaritifera margaritifera surveys across England. FWPM are in serious decline and are only found in a handful of clean, nutrient poor rivers and streams in the UK. Survey work is necessary to identify the distribution of FWPM within river catchments to ensure that they can be protected during any works which could impact on them.

If you are interested in any of our services, don’t hesitate to contact us >>