Guidance Freshwater transitions

Index section Freshwater transitions

• River ecotopes
• Floodplain plants
• The corncrake in the river region
• Wildlife emergency exits and drowned animals
• Wildlife-friendly banks along rivers and canals
• The grass snake on the banks of the IJmeer

Introduction

In the natural situation there is usually a gradual transition from fresh water to land. But in many of the canals and rivers the dikes and facings result in an unnaturally abrupt transition from water to land. Mammals that have fallen into the water can drown if the banks are steep, but this is being tackled by creating places where they can scramble out (wildlife emergency exits).

Creating wildlife-friendly banks benefits many plants and animals. These banks are gently sloping and are not faced. Concreted banks do sometimes harbour unusual species, however, such as the grass snake.