RESULTS from the latest River Habitat Survey of streams and rivers in the Isle of Man, England and Wales show that rivers and wildlife are under increasing pressure.

The overall results for England and Wales show 8 out of 10 of river sites have been significantly or severely modified - due to bridges, weirs, river bank reinforcement and trampling by cattle.

In addition many upland streams remain treeless and the invasive plant Himalayan balsam has continued to spread whereas Japanese knotweed and giant hogweed have not.

The results for the Isle of Man are slightly better with 7 out of 10 river sites significantly or severely modified and trees still present at over two thirds of river sites.

Himalayan balsam was found at a quarter of all sites and was more common than Japanese knotweed or giant hogweed.

 
The River Habitat Survey is a method that records the presence of habitat features, artificial modifications to banks and channels, tree coverage and land-use over a 500m length of river.

The survey concentrates on how river bank and river channel modification damages the homes of native wildlife, how tree coverage can increase the risk of higher water temperatures and the spread of invasive plants.

The survey was carried out at more than 4800 sites between 2006 and 2008 - including 35 sites in the Isle of Man.

A copy of the survey is available here.