Transcript WFD and Wetlands in Scotland - IWRM-net

Knowledge and research
needs for wetlands and lakes
IWRM presentation
18 November 2008
Johan Schutten
Senior Wetland Ecologist
SEPA
UK and Scottish legal drivers
 WFD England and Wales: Water
Environment (Water Framework Directive)
(England and Wales) Regulations (2004)
 WFD Scotland: Water Environment and
Water Services Act (2003)
 Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act (2004)
 Birds and Habitats regulations
Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.)
Regulations 1994
 Biodiversity Action plans (UKBAP)
Why is SEPA involved in wetland
protection?
 Water Framework Directive implementation: Water
Environment and Water Services Act (2003)
 Part 1(2): ‘preventing further deterioration of, and
protecting and enhancing, the status of aquatic
ecosystems and, with regard to their water needs,
terrestrial ecosystems and wetlands directly
depending on those aquatic ecosystems’
 Groundwater and surface water dependent wetlands
 Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act (2004)
 Natura 2000 (EU designated conservation sites)
 SSSI (National designated conservation sites)
 UKBAP (Biodiversity Action Plan) / Scottish Biodiversity
Strategy
What wetland categories is SEPA
protecting?
 Groundwater body dependent wetlands
 Surface water body dependent wetlands that are
part of surface water bodies
 Surface water dependent wetlands that are not
part of but depend on a surface water body /
influence the quality and quantity of water
reaching surface water bodies
 Wetlands that are a designated feature of
SSSI’s or Wetlands that are an interest feature
or essential to the functioning of a Natura 2000
site.
WFD Wetlands
Wetland objectives





Groundwater body dependent wetlands are protected
from significant damage arising from quantitative or
qualitative changes in the status of the groundwater body.
Surface water body dependent wetlands need to support
the ecological objectives of the associated water body.
Surface water dependent wetlands that depend on
surface water bodies but are not part of surface water
bodies. The objectives for this wetland category have yet to
be considered by UKTAG.
Wetlands in ground or surface water bodies that are
feature of protected nature conservation sites (SSSI and
SAC) are protected such as to ensure the attainment of the
conservation objectives for the feature or site. Natura 2000
sites are protected from ‘adverse impact on the integrity’ of
the site; SSSI features are protected to ensure ‘no significant
effect’ of SEPA’s regulated activities
Ground or surface water dependent wetlands that are
UKBAP/ SBS priority habitats. The interim position is that
‘SEPA shall assume that the maintenance of existing
environmental standards is sufficient to provide the levels of
protection required by individual species and habitat plans’
Research and Knowledge requirements




Wetland inventories (WFD characterisation and Program of measures))

Where are the wetlands;

Types associated with generic risk to human activities (abstraction,
engineering, pollution)

Wetland Identification and generic risk screening tool (SNIFFER
WFD95). (under way)
Environmental supporting conditions for wetlands (WFD classification
and pressure regulation)

What water source does a wetland require (duration, frequency and
magnitude)

What water quality does a wetland require (rain, surface or ground)

Scotmecs; Environmental supporting conditions (hydrology and
chemistry) for Scottish wetlands (SNIFFER WFD 35 (under way)
Wetland quality assessment tools (WFD classification)

Significant damage due to quality or quantity pressure of groundwater
body

Surface water dependent wetland: Ecological quality tools: vegetation,
invertebrates, vertebrates (vole, otter, fish)
Wetlands and Climate change

identify how wetland types across Scotland will be affected by climate
change impact based upon a functional understanding of the wetlands

identify how wetlands can be used to mitigate for climate change
causes and impacts (C-store / flood water attenuation and regulation
of food generation).
Questions?
 [email protected]