High levels of nitrates in the coastal waters around Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve are causing large mats of algae to form. Known as ‘macroalgae’, these dense and extensive mats cause huge problems for nature and biodiversity.
Although algae are a natural part of the intertidal ecosystem under normal conditions, excess nutrients in the water can cause it to become out-of-control and create an imbalance. It can smother mudflats, sandflats and seagrass in the summer months, suffocating underlying habitats and fauna and preventing overwintering birds from accessing their vital food sources.
An area of particular focus is Budle Bay, Northumberland, which has been heavily affected by macroalgae in recent years. A shallow, sheltered bay at the confluence of Ross Low Burn, Waren Burn and other field-drains and streams, it is an ideal environment for ‘trapping’ nutrients. We are conducting in-depth lab analysis of the algae alongside scientific modelling to better understand what is causing the excessive macroalgal growth. This will enable us to set up water quality interventions upstream.
We are also trialling a variety of sensitive methods to remove sections of the mats, with a view to potentially extracting more significant amounts if successful. In parallel, we are exploring innovative ways to recycle the waste macroalgae commercially – eg as fertiliser, biomass energy, bait and as dye pigment for the textiles industry. This is vitally important, as it will help WADER’s conservation work to be scalable and financially sustainable in the long-term.
In the short-term we hope the approaches developed here will be used elsewhere within the project area, such as the Tweed Estuary, and in the long-term elsewhere in the UK and even worldwide.
The removal of tonnes of macroalgae from Budle Bay Nature Reserve on the Northumberland Coast has been captured in a short film by the LIFE WADER team. The 4-minute film follows the LIFE WADER team and partners as they trial an innovative, low-impact method of removal.
We are tackling five major issues with innovative solutions. This will allow nature to thrive and be resilient from source-to-sea – now and in the future and especially in the context of a changing climate.
