‘Freshwater nature conservation and pollution: how important is it, and what can we do about it?’

Freshwater sites are in poorer condition than any other protected sites. Pollution remains a key pressure. What can be done?

Freshwater Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are in poorer condition than any other SSSIs. Such protected freshwater sites present a major challenge due to the fact that many pressures arise off-site (i.e. within the wider catchment); the wide range of different human activities which operate in those catchments and which affect freshwater ecosystems; and the complex interactions between such activities. Pollution remains one of these key pressures. Over recent years there has been extensive investment in tackling major point sources of pollution, and country wide initiatives are underway which aim to deal with diffuse pollution and its effects on SSSIs.
But how do we determine our objectives for managing pollution in areas designated for nature conservation? What powers and measures do we have to deal with this problem and how do we determine responsibility for action where there may be multiple causes of a problem? This lecture will examine how Natural England is addressing this issue together with the Environment Agency, and will look at past successes, prospects for future successes and some of the future risks that lie over the horizon.

Alastair Burn is Principal Specialist, Freshwater and Pollution, at Natural England. He spent 12 years in research in insect ecology and pesticides, before working on pesticide policy for four years with the National Farmers’ Union, finally joining English Nature in 1992. At English Nature he worked initially on pesticides, toxic substances and pollution. He then led English Nature's freshwater team up to the formation of Natural England, and is now a principal specialist in Natural England's Evidence Team. He chairs the Wetland Habitats Action Plan Group, and is Natural England's representative on the Water and Wetland workstream of the England Biodiversity Strategy.

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