Trees for Healthy Rivers (Black Syke Dike)

The project will plant 500 trees and hedge plants at the site to benefit the River Home, the wildlife it supports and the people who access the river for recreation.

Trees are a key component of a healthy river and an important factor in creating resilience in the ecosystem
– Trees provide shelter for aquatic animals e.g. trout use overhanging branches and submerged tree roots to hide from predators.
– Trees provide leaves and woody material to the river – this is a primary input of nutrients and food for detritus shredding invertebrate.
– Trees provide shade during periods of low flows and high temperature, reducing water temperatures and helping to maintain oxygen in the water.
– Fallen trees have a major role in creating a dynamic river. A fallen tree can trap sediment, create scour pools and clean gravels.Trees stabilise river banks and reduce the amount of run-off that enters the river directly during periods of heavy rain. This run-off carries sediment and potentially also pollutants.