Comments on rust rod monitoring
Update on some of the issues of using rust rods as a technique for monitoring water levels in nature reserves and private farmland in the Broads
We have placed 55 rust rods in various sites across the Broads during NFC Discovery and have continued to monitor these for water table depth. Here's a summary of a recent survey of 44 rods from visits conducted by Exo-Environmental over the past few days.
9 rust rods inaccessible
15 rust rods removed by others or not found (missing)
= 25 of the 44 rust rods with no data return (over 50%!)
Key points
For winter surveys: The sites when wet and muddy- makes locating the rust rods extremely difficult- none could be found at two sites and conditions were too hazardous to enter site (flooded).Due to this it requires two people on site for safety, increasing the cost.
Some rust rods have been removed by graziers – due to concerns they may harm livestock, despite agreements with landowners
Other ‘missing rust rods’ cannot be located so again have either been removed or trampled by cattle.
Two incidences of damage to rust rod and severe damage to the surface rod where conservation organisation and farm machinery have gone over them.
Where rust rods are behind cattle-proof fencing they are easier to find and have not gone missing
I hope this is useful. If you have any questions please get in touch...
Andrea
