Glasgow’s Floating Estuarine Wetlands Baseline Monitoring Report

Abstract

This report presents findings of a winter 2023 (Feb-March) baseline assessment of the current condition of the Canting Basin habitat, and the baseline conditions of the floating wetland substrate and vegetation. This assessment brought together pre-constructed and newly collected data. These data will provide a clear baseline against which future improvements to the ecosystem services it provides.extremely high levels of some pollutants, notably chromium, lead and cadmium. These are likely reflective of the industrial history of the basin.

Glasgow’s Floating Estuarine Wetlands Long-Term Ecosystem Services and Function Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

“…This is a comprehensive long-term monitoring plan that follows an Ecosystem Service Framework to identify and monitor the on-going impacts of the floating wetlands installation in the Canting Basin of the River Clyde, Glasgow. This plan follows the results of a recently undertaken study/ report (Woolfenden et al 2023) that an interdisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Glasgow designed and carried out with support from Glasgow Science Centre and Biomatrix. The site for Glasgow Floating Wetlands was historically used for access to graving docks, general cargo trade and was a Canting Basin (to allow large ships to turn).…”

“…The basin is currently unused, with little to no estuarine habitat for marine biodiversity and ecosystem services derived from them (Woolfenden et al 2023). Within cityscapes there are limited possible interventions to enhance marine/coastal habitat, and this innovative biodiversity initiative would serve as an exemplar for future projects to 'green the grey' with nature-based solutions in Scotland's estuarine and coastal cities.…”

“…o Biodiversity, including seasonal variation in the area (seasonal changes in the function of the area for wildlife, i.e., breeding, foraging, resting) o Concentration and types of pollutants (heavy metals, microplastics, pharmaceuticals) in the water and the sediment o Carbon storage in the water and the sediment o Nutrient concentrations (nitrogen, phosphorous, carbon) in the water and the sediment o Social and Cultural value Due to the funding and time constraints of this project (i.e. occurring over 3.5 months during winter months only), this will require a summer baseline, 3-4 months after colonisation of the floating wetlands, which will allow us to see the changes in ecosystem services over time as the wetland grows (Figure 3, see also Woolfenden et al 2023). 1.6 What approaches to monitoring and evaluation are there?…”

“…Floating wetlands in the Canting Basin are likely to provide supporting ecosystem services such as an increase in habitat diversity and local biodiversity across a range of taxa. A baseline study of the existing area (Woolfenden et al 2023) evidenced a lack of habitat diversity in the current space to sufficiently support a diverse range of wildlife. The few available structures in the existing area, including a disused sea plane jetty, one buoy and the basin railings, were all observed to be utilised for resting opportunities by birds during the baseline monitoring period (Woolfenden et al 2023).…”

“…A baseline study of the existing area (Woolfenden et al 2023) evidenced a lack of habitat diversity in the current space to sufficiently support a diverse range of wildlife. The few available structures in the existing area, including a disused sea plane jetty, one buoy and the basin railings, were all observed to be utilised for resting opportunities by birds during the baseline monitoring period (Woolfenden et al 2023). This provides evidence to suggest that the floating wetlands will increase the amount of habitat available for similar opportunities, increasing the capacity of the area for supporting species abundance.…”