Thursday 16th February 2023
An Introduction To Friends Of Warminster Rivers:
Among living organisms, the estimated number of animal species on our planet falls somewhere in the vast range of 7.77 million (Chapman, 2009). Of this number, about 3% have a backbone and are known as vertebrates; all the others, that comprise about 97% of the animal kingdom, are invertebrates.
The invertebrates include vast and heterogeneous groups. The range in their size, in structural diversity and in adaption to different modes of existence, is enormous. Some invertebrates have common phylogenic origins, others are only remotely related. However, the life of invertebrates is fascinating and without a thorough study of invertebrate species it is hardly possible to know the secrets of the life of these mysterious groups of creatures and the world they inhabit. Invertebrates (riverflies) are a good indicator of the condition of the water quality of our local rivers and waterways, and by monitoring them we can have a strong indicator of how a watercourse is faring in the world today, and we can measure the pressures we put on them i.e. pollution events and urban development / spread of our built-up areas, etc.
A non-for-profit organization / volunteer group.
As the town of Warminster in Wiltshire continues to develop and expand, a group of concerned residents have decided to form a volunteer organization to protect its rivers and their environment. The rivers should be conserved as a clean, healthy, nature rich, free flowing system of rivers, which provides a protective natural habitat for a diversity of flora and fauna and as far as possible an accessible green corridor which connects local people to their environment.
Our aims are to maintain and improve the ecological quality of the rivers, their green corridors and tributaries.
One of our main aims is to monitor the invertebrates in our local rivers, watch for invasive species, collect records for their rise and decline throughout the year, and to monitor and report events that may impact the rivers and the environment.
We also want to promote landscape improvements which enhance the river environment.
Our activities will also include:
Monitoring the condition of the rivers regularly and nurturing interest and knowledge of the surrounding environment.
Preventing and remediating adverse human impacts on the rivers, streams and their catchments.
Promoting public enjoyment and the benefits of the river environment and the countryside, wildlife etc.
Working with other agencies, to secure a sustainable future for the local rivers and environment.
So, if you like the countryside, the great outdoors and wish to do something very enjoyable come and join us. Full training in river monitoring will be given by qualified personnel, via the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and the Riverfly Partnership Initiative/Freshwater Biological Association.
We acknowledge that there are other organizations within the local area, who may also have an interest in the local rivers, and we could possibly work with them in the future.
Our main field is and will be the close monitoring of the river sites and the invertebrate populations within them throughout the year and the changing seasons to build up a picture of the health of the local rivers.
Riverflies and Invertebrates:
The eight target riverfly groups, which are: Cased Caddis fly, Caseless Caddis fly, Mayflies, Blue winged Olives, Olives, Flat Bodied Up Wings, Stoneflies, and Freshwater Shrimps (Gammarus) were chosen as they are relatively easy to identify. They are present in most healthy rivers, are generally present nationally and all but one are present throughout the year. The exception is the blue-winged olive, which is usually in the egg stage during the autumn and winter.
Each one of the eight target groups has preferred habitat requirements. For example, the Mayfly likes fine silt, olives live amongst vegetation, flat bodied up-wings cling to stones, and Freshwater shrimps (Gammarus) are abundant where there is decaying vegetation and wood. They also have different sensitivities to pollutants and degradation of the river, Freshwater shrimps (Gammarus) and Olives are less sensitive to pollution events than stoneflies which need high levels of oxygen in the water. Pollutants and degradation of water quality can often lower the amount of available oxygen in the water of the river. The presence of the eight target groups will naturally vary in abundance throughout the year.
Note: That not all groups will be necessarily be present at every site, even sites that may be good quality. The article about the riverfly groups is part of the site description because you may be asked to take part in a riverfly partnership survey citizen science program as part of the friends group.
We are an equal opportunities volunteer conservation group and will take volunteers from the age of sixteen years of age upwards and any walk of life or job, whether it is in a civilian occupation or from a military one, etc., and if you are fit and healthy as some work can be strenuous at times, you are most welcome. We do not and will not tolerate any type of discrimination of any sort to our volunteers or any volunteer from organizations we may be working with. Any breaches may be reported to the police. So, if you like the outdoors and want to do something worthwhile, come and join us. It is something worthwhile to help the community, protecting and watching our precious rivers.
Friends of Warminster Rivers group would like to hear from you if you have any concerns about the rivers in and around the town of Warminster. The group is working with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and The Riverfly Partnership (Civilian Science Program) alongside the Environment Agency to monitor the health of the local rivers and wildlife, to see what impact the town’s development is having on them. if you wish to contact them to assist or have concerns, please e mail: infowarminsterrivers@yahoo.com or see the web site.
To join the Friends Of Warminster, go to: www.fwr-wilts.org