Biodiversity

Local Habitat and Species Action Plans

To promote the preservation, management and development of reed bed and river margin habitats
Maximise the use of reed beds and the benefits of river margins by a variety of species, for flood protection, filtering out pollutants and amenity

Reed beds occupy areas of open water, ditches and wet grassland. They are particularly good nesting sites for birds and invertebrates. They are wetlands dominated by strands of common reed (Phragmites Australia)
River margins are important wildlife corridors which link an abundance of valuable habitats and species, such as water voles which are thought to be present in large numbers on some of the borough's rivers and streams. They also serve as important buffer-zones to watercourses in urban areas especially where there is public access
These were chosen as an action plan as they were considered a dominant habitat of great value and purpose in the borough

Reed beds are priority habitats in the UK and London Biodiversity Action Plans
Our Unitary Development Plan 1995, outlines the borough's protection of river margins and their associated habitats in Policy G54, G53 and G68
Sites of metropolitan importance include the River Thames and Tidal Tributaries and Ripple Nature Reserve
Sites of borough importance are as follows: River Roding, Buzzards Mouth Creek, Dagenham Breach and Lower Bream, Goresbrook and Ship and Shovel, Mayes Brook and Mid Beam Valley in Dagenham and Dagenham East Lake

Reed beds and river margins are particularly sensitive to pollution and development
Other factors such as changes in water levels, waste tipping, mineral extraction and drainage can all contribute to the decline of valuable habitat inappropriate management such as river clearance

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is running an ongoing grant programme - the 'Countryside Stewardship scheme' - which offers payments for the maintenance and creation of reed beds
The River Beam and the River Rom have undergone significant habitat improvements, particularly at the Chase Local Nature Reserve and the Beam Valley, in partnership with the Environment Agency
Reed beds have been used to filter out pollutants on the Wantz stream in the Beam Valley to filter out poll with some success by the Environment Agency
Environmental improvement projects are underway on the River Roding, in partnership with the Environment Agency. These are geared towards enhancing reed beds, other river margin habitats and their species

Ranger Services

The Millennium Centre

The Chase

Dagenham Road

Rush Green

Romford

RM7 0SS

Tel: 020 8595 4155

Fax: 020 8984 9488

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