PM 42 - Create pollution tolerant buffers to reduce impact of pollution of sensitive habitats
- Code
- PM 42
- Measure
- Create pollution tolerant buffers to reduce impact of pollution of sensitive habitats
- Description
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Chemical pollution can cause biodiversity loss and the degradation of sensitive habitats, especially freshwater habitats, grasslands, woodlands and peatlands. Habitats can be protected through creation of pollution-tolerant buffers. The wider these buffers are, the more effective they are; for riparian buffers they should be 30m wide where possible (minimum 12m).
- Wider environmental benefits
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Increasing woodland cover Improving air quality Improving water quality Increasing flood risk management Reducing climate change impacts Supporting health and cultural services Improving soil health Promoting nature friendly farming
- Links to additional information and guidance
- Priority
- The impact of pollution on habitats and species is reduced
- Priority description
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Phosphate, ammonia and nitrogen pollution of soils and watercourses, is a major threat for Herefordshire’s natural environment. Sources include sewage discharge, septic tanks and industrial and agricultural runoff. Excessive phosphate leads to the poor ecological condition of Herefordshire’s rivers and failing water quality in many areas of the catchment. Excess nitrogen from the ammonia deposition results in more fast-growing species at the expense of less nutrient-tolerant flora. This can lead to ecosystem imbalances and habitat degradation. Artificial lighting at night (ALAN) pollution disrupts behaviour of many species leading to impacts on foraging, predation, breeding and ultimately population decline. This is especially noted in bats and moths.
- Mapped
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No