River pollution: Phosphates too high in more protected river systems
Phosphates are naturally occurring minerals found in human and animal waste.They aid growth of plants but can lead to a dramatic growth in algae and deplete oxygen levels when they enter water courses in large quantities.NRW says the Afon Gwyrfai system will be subject to housing development restrictions to prevent further phosphates impacting water quality.In 2021 NRW set new targets for phosphate pollution in Special Areas of Conservation across Wales.Commenting on the latest data NRW Head of Natural Resource Management Mary Lewis said that since then there had been "action at scale – by ourselves as environmental regulators, government, industry and communities – to improve the health of our rivers""."What is important now is that we use this evidence to continue to work towards our shared goal of better river health for people and nature," she said. "We must keep up the momentum that has been built in recent years, and we must all play our part in driving down phosphorus and pollution in our waters."Tim Birch from Wildlife Trusts Wales said "urgent action" was needed."Despite public outcry and political promises, today's evidence shows worsening river pollution in seven of nine of our most protected natural rivers in Wales," he said."These special rivers are officially recognised for their high importance for wildlife, yet two more are now showing significant deterioration since their last assessment in 2021, putting water quality and even more wildlife at risk."At a time when our rivers should be improving, not worsening, these levels of phosphorous pollution are unacceptable," he added.In total, 122 individual water bodies within Wales' SAC rivers were assessed.Half were now found to be meeting targets for phosphorous compliance, compared with 39% in 2021.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
13 hours ago
- BBC News
Rare bee 'beach' habitat in Walsall supported by sand donation
About 10 tonnes of sand have been donated to support ongoing work to create "bee beaches" in a Black Country nature conservation effort is being carried out at Pelsall North Common in Walsall, with the sand being used to create a further two beaches in the is part of the Purple Horizons Nature Recovery Project, led by Natural England. The work involves using diggers to remove vegetation and create bare ground areas - known as 'bee beaches' - which are crucial habitats for many threatened project, now in its second year, has created bee-friendly habitats across seven sites in the region. These are Shire Oak Park, Barr Beacon, Pelsall North Common, Chasewater Country Park, Brownhills Common, Wharf Lane and Muckley sand used to create the newest two bee beaches was collected as part of ongoing work at Tamworth Road Narrows carried out by the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Lord from the trust said they were proud to support "such an important conservation initiative" by repurposing excess sand excavated from the Lichfield Canal channel. "Creating sustainable habitats and enhancing biodiversity is one of our core aims," he said. "While our focus is obviously along the blue-green corridor of the Lichfield Canal it's a real bonus to be able to extend that impact to another location."Walsall councillor Gary Fling said: "This project continues to go from strength to strength and Walsall is proud to be playing its part in preserving and restoring these habitats." Bees spotted Purple Horizons is being delivered by a partnership between Walsall Council, Staffordshire County Council, Lichfield District Council, Natural England, University of Birmingham researchers, and the Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife around 80% of heathlands have been lost since 1800 and globally the habitat is rarer than a tropical year, two "near-threatened" species of bees were spotted thriving at Barr Beacon local nature reserve in Walsall thanks to the discovery of the Cats Ear Mining Bee (Andrena humilis) and the Cats Ear Nomad Bee (Nomada integra) was made by Aaron Bhambra, a researcher at the University of Birmingham. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team halts training over litter
A mountain rescue team have said they were "heartbroken" to have to "down tools" to clean up rubbish including disposable barbecues during a training session at a beauty from the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team were out in the area known as Waterfall Country in the Bannau Brycheiniog national park when they spotted litter strewn across the a post on social media, the team said they were "forced to down tools – but not for a rescue". "Our volunteers give their time to help people in need. Picking up after others shouldn't be part of the job but sadly, it's becoming more common," the volunteers said. "In one of Wales' most beautiful areas, it was heartbreaking to see nature treated as a dumping ground."Training was paused as our volunteers gathered as much rubbish as they could safely carry out."The team said they also found plastic bottles, crisp packets and broken glass strewn across the warned litter "not only spoils the landscape, it's dangerous for wildlife, livestock and other visitors".They urged visitors to Bannau Brycheiniog, also known as the Brecon Beacons, to "follow the simple leave no trace principle: whatever you bring with you, take it home". The "Instagrammable" national park is visited by about four million people each year and, last summer, the authority urged tourists to research and respect the area. Keep Wales Tidy said recent figures showed fast food packaging was found on 26.4% of streets and drinks litter on 43.6%, saying this was "a clear sign that throwaway culture is taking a toll on every corner of Wales".It warned litter "continues to blight communities, threaten wildlife and damage our precious natural environment".The organisation has teamed up with content creators across Wales to help spread the message to new audiences via social Derbyshire, Keep Wales Tidy chief executive, said it was "unacceptable that areas of such outstanding beauty are being disrespected in this way, putting wildlife, people and our fragile ecosystem at risk".He added: "We're saddened that mountain rescue volunteers had to come face to face with the growing problem of litter in one of Wales' most beautiful and fragile landscapes. "Their experience in Waterfall Country is, sadly, all too familiar."Ceredigion-based ecologist and content creator, Joe Wilkins, who does the Sandwich with a View series on Instagram, said: "As someone who loves Wales and encourages people to explore our wonderful nation responsibly, I know how vital it is that we keep these special places litter-free. "Nature in Wales is under pressure from many threats beyond our control, but taking our litter home is one simple action we can all take to help wildlife recover and thrive. "Let's make memories, not mess." 'Leave barbecues at home' Natural Resources Wales has also urged visitors to Wales' green spaces to enjoy the outdoors responsibly this summer."To prevent wildfires from igniting, do not light campfires, discard cigarettes or leave litter in the countryside, especially glass bottles," it said. It said barbecues should be left at home in dry weather or only used in designated spaces where signs say they are allowed, before being put out and disposed of responsibly once the ashes are also urged people to stay safe around water, adding waterfalls were dangerous places to swim due to strong currents.
Reuters
4 days ago
- Reuters
Denmark records highest number of white stork nestlings in decades
COPENHAGEN, July 23 (Reuters) - Once extinct in Denmark, the white stork is making a comeback with the highest number of nestlings in decades, sparking hope it may once again become a familiar sight in the Nordic country. Thirty-three stork nestlings were born to 13 nesting pairs in the Danish countryside in 2025, up from 15 last year and the highest number since the 1980s, according to Storks Denmark, a volunteer group working to support the species' return. The white stork population, once thriving with some 4,000 nesting pairs in Denmark in the late 19th century, saw a sharp decline due to the expansion of agriculture and the loss of wetlands, leading to its local extinction in 2008. The population rebound is primarily attributed to changing migration patterns due to warmer weather and conservation efforts, though challenges remain. "The way we have our agriculture is not leaving much space for the stork," said Hans Skou, a board member of Storks Denmark. In Danish folklore, storks are associated with the arrival of spring and good fortune and having a nest on your roof was considered a protective charm for the household. As climate change warms European winters, storks are increasingly wintering in Spain rather than South Africa, enhancing survival rates through shorter migration distances. Denmark's Natural History Museum is tagging five additional nestlings this year with GPS devices to follow the storks' migration paths. Storks migrating up to Germany are also pushing further north into Denmark but face challenges in finding sufficient food for their young. Storks Denmark is spending around 30,000 Danish crowns ($4,700) annually to provide food, with nest owners supplementing by setting out chicken or fish daily to sustain the nestlings. Grethe Mortensen, who gave her husband a stork nest for their backyard as a birthday gift in 2023, expressed optimism about the species' long-term prospects. "I want them to keep coming here to Denmark ... and I hope that something is done for the storks so they can survive on their own," she said. ($1 = 6.3802 Danish crowns)
