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The habitat of a water feature is the setting for many ecological systems and processes vital to the health of water and its habitants, by ensuring this habitat is kept in good shape, a productive, healthy and attractive water is easily accomplished. We have included here some products and services that will improve the water habitat and keep it in good shape.
Bank Erosion On many water banks erosion is a serious issue and hundreds of acres of bankside are lost every year to the unrelenting power of moving water. Wind power, moving water, boats, Signal Crayfish and even anglers can all lead to banks eroding, being undermined and collapsing. As the water erodes the bank it leaves shallow areas that have little value and can be overtaken by reeds, a process known as hydrosere. In addition this add mineral silt to the waterbody and angling pegs can be lost, in addition it is often an ugly eyesore taking much cosmetic value away from a water feature. A further hazard of bankside erosion is the affect on trees, where the tree becomes undermined by water, they can often collapse, anyone who has ever had to remove a fallen tree from a lake or pond will appreciate the difficulty, cost and time it take to perform such an impossible task. Pre-planted Coir Coir Rolls and pallets are a fantastic solution to low grade erosion and can be used in conjunction with other measures such as silt fencing and rock strengthening, Once the coir is established it has tremendous cosmetic value as well as providing a great habitat for many aquatic species, in addition by removing excessive nutrients from the water, the reeds can assist in improving water quality. The coir bed degrades slowly over a period of around five years leaving behind a well established, natural reed bed. Coir Rolls Coir rolls as the name suggests is a sausage shaped roll of coir that is pre-planted with native plant species, primarily Norfolk Reed (Phragmites australis). Coir Rolls come in 3 meter sections and are secured in the margins of the water body until they become fully established, usually 1 – 2 years.
Coir is best used for shallow water with limited erosion or in addition to other forms of bank stabilisation. Once planted there is no more planting required, the reeds grow very quickly and spread rapidly, so we suggest you leave gaps where you require access to the water or where fishing swims are located, these areas of bank can be strengthened in alternative ways. The reeds can be cut down as required with a strimmer with no ill effects and the rolls can be covered with a mesh grid where vandalism or excessive bird problems occur. The prices below are a guide only and you should contact us for a written quotation, prices given below do include VAT but not delivery as this is dependent on quantity ordered and delivery location. There is a minimum order of 20 meters
To order please contact us Coir Pallets
Coir Pallets are not primarily for erosion but often used for establishing a reed bed, whether for environmental reasons, a silt filter, or a sewerage bed for wastewater purification. They are easy to handle and plant and can be planted in water up to 0.5 meters deep. Once established a reed bed provides a great habitat for many species and in eutrophic waters can assist in removing excessive nutrients, leading to better water quality. The prices below are a guide only and you should contact us for a written quotation, prices given below do include VAT but not delivery as this is dependent on quantity ordered and delivery location.
To order please contact us For best results, coir should be placed between February and October, whilst we normally have this product in stock there can be delays when demand is high, please order early to ensure prompt delivery. We appreciate some people would prefer coir products to be positioned by our staff and we are happy to provide this service to you, please contact us for further information or a quotation. Bank Stabilization
Where erosion is more advanced than a simple coir installation will solve we are able to offer many other solutions. Depending on your aspirations for the water, the setting and your budget, we can find a solution that works for your needs. As each water is so individual, we do not have a set price list, if you require bank stabilization work, please contact us to discuss your requirement and we will find the right solution for you. Spawning Brushes
A great piece of kit for pond owners and lake owners alike, the soft brushes will not harm fish and upon hatching the fry will find sanctuary in the brushes. The brushes can have 2 functions for coarse fish in that, if placed at the start of the spawning season for Pike and Perch, the brushes can be removed after these have spawned, thus removing the eggs and reducing the predatory population. On many consultancy jobs we have worked on where fish are present in a lake but there appears to be little or no natural recruitment, brushes have made a huge difference with swarms of fry appearing in the summer. The brushes should be pinned to the bank a few inches below the surface or wrapped around things such as tree roots, for best results we recommend 25 brushes per acre. If you know your lake well and know when each species of fish spawn, you can to some extent encourage some species to spawn by installing the brushes at this time, a further use on some fisheries is that after the desired species has spawned, the brushes with the eggs attached are moved to a stock pond and placed carefully in the margins, which allows the fry to grow successfully without the risk of predation in the main lake. For trouble free installation we recommend the pegs shown below, use 3 per brush, with one at each end and one in the middle to keep the brush from breaching the surface. Ensure the brushes are well pegged as spawning fish can easily pull brushes loose. Brushes are 150cm (59 inches) x 14cm (5.5 inches)
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