DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY
Aquatic Ecology Group

Katherine sampling in Sommerset
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Katherine Carr: The effects of river management upon riverine macroinvertebrates

Prior to starting my PhD I completed a BSc in Environmental Biology at Royal Holloway, University of London, then I had a brief foray into law completing the Common Professional Examination (CPE) at the College of Law, London and the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) at Inns of Court School of Law, London. Most recently I concluded an MSc in Environmental Protection and Management at Edinburgh University.

Research Interests

My research investigates the effects of river management upon riverine biodiversity in the UK, specifically the effects of weed cutting and draw down upon macroinvertebrates. River management in the UK is carried out by a number of different bodies including the Environment Agency (EA), which works mainly on larger watercourses, with responsibilities including flood defence and land drainage. They also have a responsibility to minimise their impact upon biodiversity where possible. The weed cutting experiments have taken place on EA managed watercourses in Somerset on the South Drain. There have been mixed reports on whether weed cutting has a negative effect upon macroinvertebrate populations. The main aim of the project is to quantify any impacts that weedcutting has upon macroinvertebrate populations and if there are negative impacts to help the EA and other practitioners improve their management techniques. A side project has been to study the effect of regular draw down upon macroinvertebrates. The draw down occurs annually in Kent on the River Medway to check the river for impediments to navigation which are then removed by spot dredging.


Draw down in Kent

Draw down on the River Medway, Kent, UK.

Weed cutting on the South Drain

Weed cutting on the South Drain, Somerset, UK

My work is funded in a CASE award by Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC) and the EA. The EA also give me a lot of practical support by making machinery and operators available to me for my experiments.

Contact details:
Aquatic Ecology Group
Department of Zoology
Downing Street
Cambridge
CB2 3EJ
UK

Tel: +44 (0)1223 334436
Fax: +44(0)1223 336676

e-mail:

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