Assessing the ecological effects of groundwater abstraction on chalk streams: three examples from Eastern England

Abstract

The invertebrate communities and environmental characteristics of three English chalk streams; the rivers Wissey, Rhee and Pang, were investigated to determine the effects of groundwater abstraction. The data were collected as part of a larger study of 21 UK rivers subject to a variety of types of abstraction. A variety of analytical techniques, including a novel multivariate analysis (co-structure analysis), and the use of species profiles, showed significant physical and biotic differences between the three rivers and between impacted and natural sites on each river. The observed faunal differences are discussed in relation to existing data on the impact of natural droughts on chalk streams, and the problems associated with determining the effects of non-point source abstractions (such as from groundwater) are considered.