Programme of Measures - Morphology - The Physical Condition of the Water Environment - 2015

Aquatic wildlife is affected not only by the quantity and quality of water but also the physical habitat of the water environment. Modifications such as straightening rivers, building weirs and reinforcing banks with concrete can constrain and stabilise the physical nature of water bodies, reducing the development and diversity of physical habitats. This can reduce the number and diversity of animals and plants present. In addition, the way land is managed can adversely affect habitats, for example by changing the amount of sediment that runs off both agricultural land and urban areas. These