477
recognised by the UK government’s Department
for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(DEFRA).
The north of Kent had historically been marshy
lands, and part of this still survives, stretching
from Whitstable to Dartford. The area has been
recognised as one of the most important natural
wetlands in northern Europe. The marshes offer
invaluable natural fl ood protection for London.
Monitored by local landowners and wildlife
custodians, there is said to be up to 300,000
migratory birds which use the mudfl ats of the
Thames marshes as a regular haven in their
migratory journeys between the Arctic and
Africa. Further, this marsh, with its stable water
level, is an important habitat for the water vole.
The marshes are protected by the Kent and
Medway Structure Plan and a strong local
environmental pressure group. ‘Friends of the
North Kent Marshes’ (FoNKM) were formed in
2004 out of the ‘No Airport at Cliffe’ Campaign
to promote, protect and celebrate all that is so
special about the North Kent Marshes.
22.5.9 Bough Beach Reservoir
Bough Beach Reservoir (Plate 22.6 ) is an artifi -
cial lentic body situated at Kent in UK, at a distance of about 60 km from London. The lentic
body has a rich diversity of cladocerans and
copepods. The author is seen in the picture with
Professor Roland Bailey of King’s College,
London.
Plate 22.5 North Kent Marshes
Plate 22.6 Bough Beach Reservoir
22.5 Wetlands of the United Kingdom (UK)
recognised by the UK government’s Department
for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(DEFRA).
The north of Kent had historically been marshy
lands, and part of this still survives, stretching
from Whitstable to Dartford. The area has been
recognised as one of the most important natural
wetlands in northern Europe. The marshes offer
invaluable natural fl ood protection for London.
Monitored by local landowners and wildlife
custodians, there is said to be up to 300,000
migratory birds which use the mudfl ats of the
Thames marshes as a regular haven in their
migratory journeys between the Arctic and
Africa. Further, this marsh, with its stable water
level, is an important habitat for the water vole.
The marshes are protected by the Kent and
Medway Structure Plan and a strong local
environmental pressure group. ‘Friends of the
North Kent Marshes’ (FoNKM) were formed in
2004 out of the ‘No Airport at Cliffe’ Campaign
to promote, protect and celebrate all that is so
special about the North Kent Marshes.
22.5.9 Bough Beach Reservoir
Bough Beach Reservoir (Plate 22.6 ) is an artifi -
cial lentic body situated at Kent in UK, at a distance of about 60 km from London. The lentic
body has a rich diversity of cladocerans and
copepods. The author is seen in the picture with
Professor Roland Bailey of King’s College,
London.
Plate 22.5 North Kent Marshes
Plate 22.6 Bough Beach Reservoir
22.5 Wetlands of the United Kingdom (UK)