1/2

CASE STUDY 12

British Case Study

Over two years, we will measure biodiversity in the water (amphibians), on the land (vegetation, micromammals, canids) and in the air (mosquitoes, bats, birds). We will also study changes in bacterial, fungal and viral biodiversity in water, soil and animal fecal samples. Information from ‘classical’ observational monitoring, as well as advanced molecular analysis will be used to measure these changes in the restored wetlands and surrounding riverine forests. Because we can use eDNA (e.g. from skin cells shed in the water by amphibians or faecal samples from terrestrial rodents, foxes and domestic dogs), no animals are harmed during the sampling. Knowing which animals, plants and microorganisms (both beneficial and pathogenic) colonize and interact in this new wetland is fundamental for the sustainable management of aquatic urban environments, and for understanding their importance to human health.

Contact: Heidi C. Hauffe

RESTORATION &

INTERVENTION MEASURES

Nature restoration

Reforestations

Rewilding

hawk

owl

Public health interventions

ENVIRONMENTAL

SAMPLES

Reservoirs

rat

Vectors

mosquito

tick

Environment

water

soil/sediment

Case Study Activities

The ‘Rewilding the Rom site’ (Greater London, UK) was an excellent case study for starting this research at ‘time zero’ in a restored wetland.

Stakeholders will receive regular reports of our results so that this new knowledge can be used for supporting management decisions. We have also been taking part in public events, such as those organized by Eastbrookend Country Park and Thames21, to bring citizens closer to scientific research issues, and for researchers to listen to public concerns; UK Universities are also interested in using the site for scientific research.

Field Gallery

Case Study Area

A scenic view of an environment within the case study area; a critical site for local biodiversity.

Field Work

PhD students aiding in sampling efforts.

Nocturnal Activity

A snapshot taken while collecting bat samples.

The CSA's sampling efforts were greatly aided by volunteers.

Group Effort

The construction of watervole platofrms is a major part of conservation efforts in the area.

Hawk Conservancy Trust

The group collaborated with the Hawk Conservancy Trust to construct raptor boxes.

Stakeholder Events

A stakeholder event organised as part of Eastbrookend's amphibian-reptile day. The aim of the event was to raise awareness about vulnerable and endangered species living with and near us.

Case Study 12 aims to investigate how biodiversity (the number and composition of species, from viruses to vertebrates) changes in the Rom Valley during the restoration process.