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Dorset scientists seek environmental solutions

30 June 2000

Two of Britain's leading groups of ecologists have joined to form the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology Dorset. This important research group, part of the Natural Environment Research Council, has moved into new premises at Winfrith in Dorset.

The new centre will be opened next week by the Earl of Selborne, at 3.00pm on Wednesday 5 July. This will be followed by a tour of the site to see some of the excellent facilities now available to scientists studying key environmental issues affecting land and freshwater. Examples of research carried out at CEH Dorset include work on declining salmon populations, the conservation of birds of prey and the impact of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

Fish flee the Frome

Salmon numbers in the River Frome have declined dramatically, say the CEH scientists. This finding comes from 25 years of records from automated counters, proving that far fewer salmon lived in the Frome during the last decade than before. The number of fish returning to rivers from the sea is falling, but there are also problems in the river. High sediment loads reduce egg survival and predators take the young fish. Although these hazards for salmon have always existed, their effect is more noticeable given the low numbers of adults returning from the sea. CEH conservationists are researching ways to improve the management of the river habitat so that at least more young fish survive to the smolt stage.

Why no buzzards in eastern England?

Using radio-telemetry and novel tracking devices, CEH scientists are finding out much more about the distribution of many bird species. One interesting question is, "Why are some of the larger birds of prey such as buzzards not found in places which seem to have eminently suitable habitats?" We know that buzzards are increasing and re-colonising areas previously cleared by gamekeepers in the west, but that eastward spread has been slow. Buzzards introduced into Sussex survive as well as those in Dorset. It seems that buzzards can disperse long distances but tend always to return in spring to their original breeding areas. In the short term, this has greatly slowed their eastward spread. The question now is, "Given some help, could other rare birds return to southern and eastern Britain?"

Coming to terms with Chernobyl

Levels of radioactivity in foodstuffs contaminated as a result of the Chernobyl nuclear accident are falling much more slowly than expected, warned CEH scientists in recent months*. Thus, restrictions in foodstuffs, both in the UK and the former Soviet Union, will need to remain in place for much longer than originally anticipated. But ecologically speaking, it is not all bad news since the Chernobyl 30km exclusion zone is becoming a wildlife paradise now that human beings have moved out. More than 40 rare plants and animals can be found in the abandoned zone and large mammal and bird populations are thriving.

*see article in Nature, 10 May 2000.

Further information

Roger Daniels
CEH Dorset, Winfrith Technology Centre,
Dorchester DT2 8DH.
Tel: 01205 213500

NERC Press Office
Natural Environment Research Council
Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon, SN2 1EU
Tel: 01793 411561
Mob: 07917 557215

Notes

1. NERC's Centre for Ecology & Hydrology Dorset, brings together the staff and facilities of the former Institute of Freshwater Ecology's River Laboratory at East Stoke, and the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology's Furzebrook Research Station at Wareham. CEH is part of the UK's Natural Environment Research Council which leads in providing independent research and training in the environmental sciences.

2. The new premises have been created following extensive refurbishment of an existing building at the Winfrith Technology Centre.. The £4·7m project has created new specialist office, laboratory, glasshouse and computing facilities. There will be some photo opportunities at the opening; please let us know if you wish to send a representative.

Press release: 11/00

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