World experts in Norwich to discuss the future of coastal lakes
Scientists from as far away as the Florida Everglades will converge on Norwich on 15 May for a conference to discuss the problems of managing coastal catchments and shallow lakes.
Over 140 delegates will attend the Assembly House for the conference organised by the Broads Authority.
Andrea Kelly, conference organiser, said: "The event will showcase the world renowned Broads research and restoration work, which has recently involved five PhD investigations assessing pollutants entering the Upper Thurne waterways, water balance, the effects of climate change and novel methods of monitoring the environment using remote sensing."
These challenges and opportunities for managing the Broads to achieve a good quality environment for people and wildlife, whilst adapting to climate change and encouraging people to value the water resource, will be compared to case studies from the Netherlands, the Florida Everglades and the Somerset Levels.
From the UK Prof Brian Moss, who lectured at the UEA in aquatic ecology until the late 1980s will return from Liverpool University to discuss the conflicting issues surrounding Hickling Broad. In addition scientists from the region will describe coastal and freshwater research from the Broads.
From the Everglades Nicholas Aumen will share the immense challenges from the national park, which has been subjected to one of the most expensive restoration efforts in history. Among the challenges to this wetland are a rapidly expanding population which increases by over 1,000 residents every day, water shortages, salt water intrusion into the drinking water, tropical storms, climate change and potential sea level rise.
Speakers from the Netherlands will discuss shallow lake ecology and the challenges of meeting EU targets for water quality, with Geoff Phillips, UK expert, offering the Broads perspective on these issues. In addition a Somerset Levels case study will describe how community involvement is essential for restoration projects.
The Broads Authority’s chairman, Professor Kerry Turner, himself an expert in environmental economics and management including climate change, will be opening the event. He said: "The Authority is delighted to host this important scientific event. The complex management task that the Authority faces requires the best scientific knowledge which the speakers at this conference provide. Climate change causes a particular risk which can only be adapted to through partnership working. The conference is also an opportunity to put the Broads in an international context given its very special characteristics and nature.”
The event is sponsored by the Broads Authority, the Environment Agency, King’s Lynn Consortium of Internal Drainage Boards, Natural England and Norfolk County Council.
10/05/2007
