AMP4 Environmental studies of waste water
discharges, southern England
At a catchment and habitat management scale, ecohydrology is
concerned with understanding the relationship between species and
water availability. The water may be present in surface features
such as rivers, estuaries and lakes, or be related to shallow
groundwaters, springs and mires.
A sound appreciation of ecohydrology is vital to enable balance the
ever-growing pressures on water resources from humans with
conservation of the natural environment.
We have widely recognised capabilities in
hydrology,
hydrogeology and
ecology. Moreover, we have
well-developed expertise in drawing together the individual facets
of these disciplines to provide an appreciation of the interactions
which occur.
Our multi-disciplinary teams, with colleagues interacting daily,
are a mainstay of our integrated approach to water resource and
catchment management. This integrated approach enables us to
rapidly appreciate the physical, ecological and institutional
features which govern the condition of existing habitats and enable
us to appreciate their vulnerability to external pressures. We are
therefore well placed to assess the complete picture often required
by
environmental regulators under
the EU Water Framework, Birds and Habitats Directives.
As part of our work in this area, we have developed bespoke
analytical techniques. A comprehensive field handbook ensures
consistent, safe survey techniques, following recognised standards
whenever appropriate. We use proprietary and our in-house
specialist software to model historic and future parameters
including surface and groundwater flows, ecological indicators and
water quality condition.
Our specialist skills include:
- Integrated analysis of hydrological, water chemistry and
ecological data
- Ecological assessment and field surveys
- Surface-groundwater interactions
- Flow in the hyporheic and the unsaturated zones and solute
transport processes
- Hydrological and climatic studies
- Plant water requirements and soil moisture processes
- Water quality modelling (stochastic and hydrodynamic)
- Surface and groundwater flow modelling
- GIS and database modelling
