FRM02 (BSEIM) Scotland Broad Scale Ecosystem Impact Modelling Trevor Wade Cascade Consulting

Background to BSEIM Defra/EA joint R&D programme on flood and coastal defence: FD2108 (2002) Scoping Study outlining future research and development to support Broad Scale Ecosystem Impact Modelling (BSEIM) FD2112 (ongoing) BSEIM Toolbox 1 Consolidated guidance for practitioners in sustainable flood management Systems and evidence-based approach for ecosystem assessment Establish and demonstrate a ‘toolbox’ containing best practice procedures in data collation and ecosystem impact prediction using currently available data/ techniques at the broad scale Fluvial and estuarine/coastal systems

BSEIM Scotland Overview BSEIM Scotland provides a framework and methodological “tools” for assessing ecosystem impacts from flood management (and potentially other policy) decisions at a catchment and coastal/ estuarine cell scale.

BSEIM Scotland Includes: Broad-scale Existing datasets Established, emerging and novel methods Identification and collation of existing ecosystem objectives Evidence-based with expert interpretation Appropriate consultation on data interpretation and ecosystem objectives Targeted to study objectives

BSEIM Scotland Does not: Provide new data Interpret at reach or scheme level Focus on species or designations Identify flood risk areas

Methodology Stages Identify study area Develop understanding of broad habitat & ecosystem drivers Identify biodiversity opportunities & constraints Map & tabulate Broad-scale Ecosystem Assessment Criteria (EcoAC) Consultation/review through stakeholder forum Use EcoAC to develop/assess activities

Broad Habitat & Ecosystem Drivers Freshwater systems Coastal/ estuarine systems Channel condition In-channel habitats and ecology Catchment hydrology/hydrogeology Geomorphology: Sediment supply, transport and deposition Channel modification Baseline habitats Sedimentary habitats Hard substrate habitats Inland habitats (especially freshwater/ brackish habitats) Shoreline migration Coastline erodability Barriers to coastal erosion In-shore habitats affected by erosion Floodplain connectivity Extent of riparian zone Active ecological riparian habitat Potential areas for riparian habitat enhancement Tidal inundation and coastal flooding Extent of littoral and super-littoral zones Extent of flooding influence on habitat quality Channel continuity Barriers to river continuity Mobile sediment availability Mobile sediment type Sediment budget Barriers to sediment mobility

Case Study of BSEIM for Flood Management Policy Development in the River Dee Catchment

Ordnance Survey 1:250.000 used under license from SEGIS 1. River Dee Catchment Tarland Burn Aboyne Banchory Tarland Ballater River Dee Braemar Aberdeen River Dee Geldie Burn River Muick Water of Feugh 0 20 km Ordnance Survey 1:250.000 used under license from SEGIS

2. Channel Condition Basedata Map Title Dataset Scottish toolbox resource A Hydrogeology BGS hydrogeology NRFA B Substrate erodability BGS drift geology C Channel gradient Channel gradient index FEH or NextMap D Landscape sediment sources Landscape sediment index CEH LCM2000 E Channel modification Habitat modification index RHS F On-line flow constraining features In-channel structures Asset register, OS Standing water G Surface run-off potential Run-off potential index CEH flow grid

2D. Landscape Sediment Sources 0 20 km Landscape sediment index: Unmanaged/ managed pasture Coniferous woodland River channels Tilled land Mixed woodland Urban areas Commercial forestry CEH Land Cover Map 2000 used under license from SEGIS; CEH River Channel Network used under license from SEPA; Forestry Commission owned land provided by Forestry Commission and used with permission.

Sediment sources: Tilled land Forestry

Tarland Burn, middle catchment Lower Tarland Burn, looking upstream in Aboyne

2E. Channel Modification 0 20 km Habitat Modification Class: Other: Pristine River channels Semi-natural Predominantly unmodified Obviously modified Significantly modified 134 Pristine 33 Semi-natural 8 Predominantly unmodified 17 Obviously modified 1 Significantly modified River Habitat Survey data provided by SEPA

Water of Tanar/ River Dee confluence, looking upstream from Aboyne Bar vegetated by trees, River Dee mainstem, looking upstream from Aboyne River Dee mainsteam bank protection, looking upstream near Aboyne

3. Floodplain Continuity Basedata Map Title Dataset Scottish toolbox resource A Floodplain areas and existing defences Indicative floodplain maps Mapped aerial photography, SEPA indicative flood outlines Flood embankments (major/minor) Scottish coastal defence and asset database Embankments and other constraints OS B Active ecological floodplain Habitats in the riparian zone Aerial photography Wetland surveys C Landcover in potential floodplain areas Land cover index CEH LCM20000

3A. Floodplain Areas and Existing Defences Middle Tarland Burn 0 20 km Flood risk Other: Indicative River channels flood outline Existing flood defences Flood outlines provided by Aberdeenshire Council from digitised aerial photography of 11/2002 floods; Scottish costal defence and asset database used with permission of Scottish Executive

Ordnance Survey 1:50.000 used under license from SEGIS 3A. Floodplain Areas in the middle Tarland Flood risk Indicative flood outline Ordnance Survey 1:50.000 used under license from SEGIS

3A. Floodplain Areas in the middle Tarland Elevation: 120 130 140 150 160 170m AOD NextMap DTM used under license from SEGIS

3A. Floodplain Areas in the middle Tarland

3A. Floodplain Areas in the middle Tarland

3C. Land Cover in the middle Tarland Land cover index: Semi-natural Agricultural Water dependent habitats Scrub/ heath/ woodland Arable Fen/ marsh/ swamp Grassland Grassland Bog Montane habitats Standing open water

4. Channel Continuity Basedata Map Topic Dataset Scottish toolbox resource A Features potentially constraining ecological movement Dams, weirs, locks, gates OS Standing water CEH LCM2000

5. Designations and Targets Map Topic Dataset A European nature conservation designations Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Special Protection Area (SPA) RAMSAR convention site National nature conservation designations Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) National Nature Reserve (NNR) Catchment Targets NE Scotland Local BAP Action Plan River Dee Catchment Management Plan Natural Heritage Futures Fisheries targets Hydromorphology improvement targets

Constraints & Opportunities Protection Maintain geomorphologically active features Maintain lack of flow regulation in catchment Maintain suitable coarse sediment delivery Maintain velocities for coarse sediment transport on mainstem Maintain floodplain connectivity where ecologically sound Prevent construction of barriers to migration Enhancement Take opportunities to reduce fine sediment imbalance Take opportunities to attenuate run-off Increase floodplain connectivity and enhance biodiversity benefit

Map & tabulate Ecosystem Assessment Criteria CEH River Channel Network used under license from Environment Agency

Potential Applications Appraisal of the wider catchment/ coastal cell implications associated with individual flood management schemes Assessment of the ecosystem implications of sustainable flood management policy at the catchment/ coastal cell scale Provides an evidence base for the development of programmes of measures for activities (including flood management) included in the Water Framework Directive, and a framework for their relative assessment

Summary of Project Output Project report: Methodology development River Dee catchment case study Methodological guidance Presentation pack The final outputs will be published on SNIFFER’s website at www.sniffer.org.uk during November 2005