MERES LOCAL BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN

OBJECTIVES

Protect and enhance the nationally and internationally important qualities of the meres.

LOCAL TARGETS

Targets awaited

CURRENT STATUS

The Cheshire meres form a part of the internationally important North West Midland Meres, occupying hollows in the glacial drift surface of the Cheshire Plain. There are many 'meres/pools' which lie within the Cheshire region, 12 of which have been given the designation of SSSI. 8 meres are notified as Wetlands of International Importance, included in the Midlands Meres and Mosses RAMSAR sites:

- Phase 1 (1994) Hatchmere, Quoisley Little and Big Meres, Tatton Mere and Mere Mere.
- Phase 2 (1995) Oak Mere, Chapel Mere

Rostherne Mere is also a RAMSAR site and managed by English Nature as a National Nature Reserve.
Oak Mere is a candidate Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 2 (1995) contains a costed Biodiversity Action Plan for Mesotrophic Lakes. The UK Steering Group Report Tranche 2 Action Plans, Volume II (EN 1998) also includes a costed BAP for Eutrophic Standing Waters. Karen Simon of the Environment Agency, Cumbria, has been identified as the national contact point for both types of lakes.

A few meres are ground water fed whilst most others have inlet and outlet streams. Hydrosere succession is the ultimate, natural, fate of a mere. Meres where not enlarged by dams are Britain's natural mesotrophic and eutrophic lakes which often have associated endangered wetland habitats such as alder/willow carr, fen and swamp.

They are a finite natural resource so the emphasis of conservation has to be maintenance and improvement by removal of anthropogenic influences. While many are maintained, others continue to deteriorate.

THREATS

Climate Change
Agricultural Practices
Enrichment of water
Siltation
Reduced water levels
Introduction of alien fish
Recreational Activities - fishing activity (ie trampling of vegetation, introduction of fish species and ground-baiting.)
Habitat Change and Fragmentation
Invasive plants (e.g. Crassula helmsii, Impatiens glandulifera)

CURRENT ACTION

Amend and re-submit the HLF bid to provide funding for a project with the following aims:-
1. to conserve and enhance the priority areas of the Meres and Mosses Natural Area, aiming to achieve a sustainable and functioning landscape,
2. To raise public awareness and understanding of the key issues in the Natural Area and promote appreciation of the area for recreation
3. To assist understanding of the complex interactions of water, geology and land management within the Meres and Mosses
EA to continue to implement Stillwaters monitoring strategy with bi-annual meetings of the multi-functional stillwaters group etc.
EA continue to review all their function's consents and activities relating to Habitats Directive sites eg Oakmere
EA and English Nature to continue funding towards a project officer with FWAG to promote Agri-Environment Schemes and the Sustainable Meres project looking at sustainable use in the catchments of the Meres and Mosses - educating farmers and creation of buffer zones.

ACTION REQUIRED IN 2006+

Produce a list and overview of the trophic status of all meres in the Cheshire region.
Produce Water Level Management Plans for more meres.
Implement the Meres and Mosses Strategy.
Maintain high water quality objectives and control nutrient inputs in compliance with Nitrate Directives (91/676/EEC).
Safeguard sites through acquisition by conservation organisations.
Ensure that protective legislation is used to full effect.
Identify Meres within Nitrate Vulnerable Zones.
Target Agri-Environment Schemes within the surface water catchment of meres, as defined by the Meres and Mosses Strategy. Lobby DEFRA to make extra funding available.
Extend the Meres and Mosses Strategy investigations to non-statutory sites (SBIs).
Implement the actions required in the Weaver/Dane LEAP, to alleviate the problem of inadequate data for monitoring water level changes at Tabley, Hatchmere and Combermere.
EA Fisheries to survey selected meres where appropriate
EA/EN/CWT to agree and prioritise actions from the ECUS Conservation Management plans
Seek funding to implement actions from the above
EA to erect install Staff Gauges for monitoring water levels at Hatchmere and Barmere
Continuous monitoring buoy to be installed at Barmere
Begin monitoring at Gull Pool. Monitoring may provide data that can be used to determine actions for White Faced Darter.
Continue to contribute to funding of the Meres and Mosses Project
Continue with the Stillwaters Group and stillwaters monitoring strategy at sites including Comber Mere, Oss Mere, Marbury Big Mere, Chapel Mere, Bar Mere, Oak Mere, Hatch Mere, Black Lake, Betley Mere, Tabley Mere, Melchett Mere, Tatton Mere, Rostherne Mere and Mere Mere.
EA Ecological Appraisal Team to continue fisheries surveys in the Meres.
Implement Water Framework Directive monitoring at Comber Mere and Oak mere.
Produce management statement for Rostherene Mere following analysis of comments from phase 1 consultation.

Complete phase 2 studies for Betley Mere and Bar Mere (as detailed below) to provide recommendations towards the formulation of Water Level Management Plans.

Bar Mere:

a) Ascertain whether there is any subsidence at A49 bridge and whether this is causing any restrictions to flow

b) Assessment of water levels and ground levels in and around the mere to asses any flood extent

c) Co-ordinate the agreement of revised management measures including maintenance and identification of an potential enabling works (where required) for Steer Brook and Bickley Brook

d) Carry out Ecological and Habitat Baseline surveys to enable on-going monitoring of water levels and effect.

Betley Mere

a) Finalise EN requirements for Little Mere and assess any conflicts with existing agricultural practice

b) Investigate cause of increased water levels within Cracow Moss and assess effect of re-opening drainage

c) Investigate silt deposition within the mere

d) Establish acceptable water level range for summer and winter

e) Co-ordinate the agreement of revised management measures including maintenance and identification of an potential enabling works (where required) for site and surrounding drainage

f) Carry out Ecological and Habitat Baseline surveys to enable on-going monitoring of water levels and effect.

Continued review of Agency function’s consents and activities relating to Habitats Directive Sites.

ACTION COMPLETED PREVIOUSLY

In 1999 EN launched the Meres and Mosses Strategy for the conservation of meres and mosses of Cheshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire. EN and EA have commissioned ECUS consultants to produce conservation management plans for all of the SSSI meres and mosses.
Water level management plans for Rostherne and Bar Mere have been produced by EA.
EN produced the Meres and Mosses Natural Area Profile in 1997.
Issues related to meres have been included in the Weaver/Dane LEAP.
Continuous monitoring buoys are located at Rostherne, Budworth and Oakmere.
EN has produced a document "Lake SSSIs subject to eutrophication - an environmental audit".
CWT purchased Hatchmere in 1999.
Countryside Stewardship Agreements for adjacent land to Quoisley Meres and Marbury Little Mere have been secured by FWAG and CWT.
Nutrient load into Rostherne Mere has been reduced, with the discharge from Tatton Park STW going to a soakway.
Oil interceptor installed upstream of Tabley Mere enabling the removal of oil booms.
EN produced a leaflet entitled "Meres and Mosses of Cheshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire" in 1998.
Relevant actions for Meres included in Mersey/Bollin and Weaver/Dane LEAP
ECUS conservation plans completed for all SSSI Meres and Mosses
EN Meres and Mosses Strategy
Countryside stewardship agreements for adjacent land to Chapel Mere has been secured by FWAG.
Revised Water Level Management Plans for Bar Mere, Betley Mere and Rostherne Mere completed in 2003. Draft Water Level Management Plans are currently being reviewed.
Draft Oak Mere cSAC Appropriate Assessment completed in 2003
Stillwaters Monitoring Programme 2001/02 "Winter Monitoring 2001/02" which surveyed 14 of the meres for water quality between Feb 2001 and Jan 2002, including: Comber Mere, Oss Mere, Marbury Big Mere, Chapel Mere, Bar Mere, Oak Mere, Hatch Mere, Black Lake, Betley Mere, Tabley Mere, Melchett Mere, Tatton Mere, Rostherne Mere, Mere Mere.
Stillwaters Monitoring Programme 2001/02 "Continuous Monitoring Of Bar Mere And Oak Mere" which included continuous monitoring of selected water quality parameters and monthly zooplankton and algal analysis for 2001 and 2002.
Felling of trees and shrubs felled adjacent to Oak Mere to reduce organic input via leaf litter in 2003.
EA continued to contribute to the funding of the Meres and Mosses Project in partnership with English Nature in 2004.
Continued implementation of the Stillwaters group and stillwaters monitoring in 2004 with 50% coverage on water quality and biological monitoring of Oak Mere and Bar Mere.
Winter monitoring of 14 sites completed in 2004.
EA Ecological Appraisal Team have completed a strategy for fisheries surveys and monitoring within the meres in 2004.
EA Ecological Appraisal Team began fisheries surveys in the Meres catchments late in 2004.
EA attendance at pollution incidents within the Meres catchments in 2004.

ACTUAL LBAP IMPLEMENTERS

Cheshire Wildlife Trust	Environment Agency	Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group
English Nature

OTHER POTENTIAL IMPLEMENTERS

Cheshire County Council	National Farmers Union	Sandstone Ridge ECOnet Partnership
Fishing clubs	RSPB

CONTACT

Graham Fitzgerald, Fisheries Recreation & Biodiversity section, Environment Agency
01925 543461

REFERENCES

English Nature (1993): Midland Meres and Mosses RAMSAR Citation, Phase 1.
English Nature (1995_: Midland Meres and Mosses RAMSAR Citation, Phase 2.
English Nature (1997): Natural Area Profile, Meres and Mosses 27.
English Nature (1998): UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans, Volume II - terrestrial and freshwater habitats.
English Nature (1998): A Strategy for the conservation of Meres and Mosses of Cheshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire.
Moss, B. et al (1992): Current Limnological Conditions of a Group of the West Midland Meres That Bear SSSI Status.
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 1: Meeting the Rio Challenge, London.
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 2: Action Plans, London.
National Rivers Authority (1995): Stillwaters project summary, North West.

Date compiled - 1997
Date reviewed - 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004