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Sustainable
Development Index
Caring for
the Thames | Wildlife Survival | Environmental
Issues
What does Thames wildlife need to survive?
Many Londoners think that the Thames is a polluted
river in which no wildlife can survive. However
between Teddington (west London) and the sea live
119 different species of fish and over 350 species
of invertebrates. Lots of plants and birds also
depend on the river for their needs.
Here are some of the most important elements
for providing a sustainable future for wildlife
in, on and by the Thames:
Oxygen
All living things need oxygen. River creatures
take their oxygen from the water. Sewage pollution
causes oxygen levels to drop, suffocating both
fish and invertebrates.
Clean plentiful water
A good supply of clean water is essential for
all living things. Water polluted by chemicals
can poison or deform wildlife. Sewage pollution
can contain harmful bacteria and viruses.
Food
All living things need a good food supply. The
wildlife in the river depends on each other. Damage
to one part of the food chain affects lots of
different creatures. For example, if you killed
off the weed in the river, this would affect river
snails, fish and birds. Plants such as weed also
need light from the sun.
Shelter
Most creatures need safe habitats where they can
find a resting place, protected from other creatures
and harsh weather conditions. In London, the most
important river habitat is the foreshore. This
is the area of river bed uncovered when the tide
goes out. Many invertebrates stay in the same
area of foreshore all their lives, hidden beneath
the stones and mud. Others such as fish move up
and down the river and use the pools and stones
of the foreshore to rest between tides. Anything
that damages the foreshore poses a threat to river
creatures.
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Tides - free transport
up and down the river!
Most rivers flow from their source to the
sea or a lake. However some rivers like
the Thames have wide mouths where they meet
the sea and are affected by tides. Twice
a day, the rising sea level pushes up the
Thames estuary and makes the river flow
towards its source. Then as sea levels drop
the tide turns and the river flows back
towards the sea again. The Thames is tidal
between Teddington in west London and the
sea.
River creatures are very clever at using
the tides to move up and down the river.
For example, flounder spawn in the outer
estuary near the sea and then move up towards
west London using the power of the tide.
They surf up on a rising tide, then when
the tide starts to go out, they rest under
stones in the shallow water at the edge
of the foreshore. When they feel the tide
coming in, they set off again. Not bad for
something only 1cm long!
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Sustainable
Development Index
Caring for
the Thames | Wildlife Survival | Environmental
Issues
|
