Mike
Dunning - 28-Apr-2008 - When it comes to
choosing a home, the brown diving beetle
is fussier than most. First he needs water,
but it has to be swift flowing. It also
needs to be shallow with no over-hanging
vegetation. And as if that isn’t enough
- the river bed must be made of flint or
gravel.
With such specific requirements
it should come as no surprise to discover
that Agabus brunneus (to give him his scientific
name) is only found at three sites in the
UK. One of these is the Portreath Stream
in Cornwall.
The Environment Agency
recently took over responsibility for managing
flood risk on the Portreath Stream and has
devised a method of routine maintenance
which aims not only to reduce the risk of
flooding to local residents, but also improve
the habitat of this rare beetle.
All trimming of vegetation
and removal of debris from the channel is
now done by hand to avoid disturbing the
gravel bed of the stream. Overgrown material
is cut and then removed from the site for
disposal. Whenever possible, Agency staff
will work from the riverbanks to reduce
trampling the riverbed gravels.
The life history of
Agabus brunneus is still something of a
mystery, but it is thought the beetle lives,
for part of the time, in the gravel beds
of streams. A predator, it feeds on small
invertebrates.
Measuring only 9 mm
in length, the chocolate-brown beetle is
vulnerable to pollution, changes in drainage
systems and over-abstraction of water. It
is also susceptible to the shading of streams
by ungrazed vegetation.
Because it is so rare,
the brown diving beetle is listed as a priority
species by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan
and is included in Natural England’s Species
Recovery Programme. The only other UK sites
where it occurs are in the New Forest and
Poole, Dorset.
‘We’re lucky to have
such a rare and unusual creature living
in the Portreath Stream and will do all
we can to help maintain the population of
this beetle as part of our flood risk maintenance
of the watercourse,’ said Adrian Brown for
the Environment Agency.
The Portreath Stream
includes a Site of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSI), designated for the many mosses and
liverwort plants that grow in the poor metal-rich
soil. The Agency’s new management of the
riverbanks is expected to benefit these
rare and unusual plants. Before introducing
its new works programme the Agency sought
the advice of Natural England and a beetle
expert at the University of Plymouth.
Pictures of the Portreath
Stream and its resident diving beetle are
available from the Environment Agency’s
regional press office on 01392 442008.
+ More
Environment Agency staff
in 'Dragon's Den'
Rita Penman - 24-Apr-2008
-
What: ‘Dragon’s Den’ event at Brampton
When: Tuesday 29 April, 12pm – 2pm
Where: Bromholme Lane, Brampton, Huntingdon
Who: RNIB and the Papworth Trust
Staff at the Environment
Agency in Brampton, near Huntingdon, will
be put to the test on Tuesday as they take
part in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style event aimed
at understanding disability within the workplace.
As part of the organisation’s
ongoing commitment to diversity, the Environment
Agency is teaming up with RNIB and the Papworth
Trust. Staff from the Environment Agency
will get to pitch their ideas to three ‘Dragons’
about how they would change their working
environment to improve it for blind or partially
sighted colleagues and visitors. Their ideas
will be judged.
They will also get to
discuss their preconceptions, fears and
uncertainties with the ‘Dragons’ style panel
in an attempt to dispel some of the myths
surrounding disabled people in the workplace.
Alison Pennycook, diversity
advisor for the Environment Agency, said:
‘We are delighted to be hosting the first
‘Dragon’s Den’ style event with RNIB and
the Papworth Trust.
‘I really hope it will
highlight just how important understanding
is within the workplace and that those who
are taking part will gain an insight into
the difficulties faced by blind or partially
sighted colleagues on a daily basis.’
Ben Jackson, from RNIB,
said: ‘By working with the Environment Agency
the RNIB aims to create an ongoing working
relationship which will improve customer
service and increase opportunities for blind
or partially sighted people within the agency.’
Brian Perrett from the
Papworth Trust, said: ‘We are looking forward
to working with the Environment Agency and
to helping them to become even more disability
friendly. I hope this event will help people
think about things in a new, fresh way.’
Members of staff will
also get the opportunity to try simulation
spectacles to understand just how tasks
ordinarily taken for granted, such as eating
lunch, visiting the toilet or buying sweets
from the canteen, can be incredibly difficult
with impaired vision.
ENDS
Note to editors:
Members of the media
are welcome to attend the event, between
12pm and 2pm, with the presentations to
the ‘Dragons’ taking place from 12.45pm
to 1.15pm. Alison Pennycook, Ben Jackson
and Brian Perrett will all be available
for interview, along with Environment Agency
staff taking part.
