A tree-mendous day on the Gipping

Naomi Boyle, Environment Agency

Members of the Environment Agency’s Suffolk Flood and Coastal Risk Management and Fisheries Biodiversity and Geomorphology Team carried out tree planting on some of our land along the River Gipping in Ipswich between the Handford Road Bridge and Norwich Railway crossing.

We previously consulted with the Gipping Angling Preservation Society (GAPS) and the Greenways Countryside Project about the planting locations so as not to compromise good angling locations or areas of existing good habitat for invertebrates and reptiles.

Approximately 70 native trees and shrubs were planted including Alder, White willow, Goat willow, Hawthorn, Crack willow, Black poplar, Buckthorn, Spindle, Dogwood and Hazel.

The benefits of planting trees alongside watercourses are numerous; they provide valuable shade which helps to keep the water cool, this is especially important for fish such as brown trout which are vulnerable to high water temperatures. The provision of shade is also useful in controlling excessive growth of some plant species such as Bur reed which can become a problem in some watercourses. Tree roots are also important in helping to stabilise banks and provide excellent in-stream habitat for fish. Insects falling from the canopy provide a source of food for fish and accumulated leaf litter is an important food reserve for some macro-invertebrates. Overhanging branches and falling limbs can provide valuable habitat and can help with morphological diversity by varying the flow and shape of the channel, which in turn creates habitat for many species of plants, invertebrates and fish.

Under the Water Framework Directive (a piece of European legislation looking to improve the quality of our waterways) the River Gipping is classified as a heavily modified waterbody for the purpose of flood protection. It is currently at poor ecological potential. In order to achieve good potential by 2027 we will have to address issues relating to water quality and flow as well as improving floodplain connectivity, increasing inchannel morphological diversity and enabling fish passage.

The planting of trees at this location will help to improve the river’s ecology as well as adding to the visual character of the area.

Tree planting in action

Members of the EA’s Flood & Coastal Risk Management and Fisheries, Biodiversity & Geomorphology Teams at the end of a

successful day.