The brackish ponds at Killingholme, Humberside, UK

Abstract

Abstract1. The National Power site at Killingholme, on the Humber Estuary, contains three brackish ponds at the northeast corner, adjacent to Killingholme Haven. The ecology and conservation importance of these ponds were surveyed as part of a Nature Conservancy Council lagoon research programme in 1986 and by National Power staff in 1990 and 1991.2. The north and west ponds were found to be saline, and both supported the nationally rare polychaete worm Alkmaria romijni. The east pond was fragmenting, owing to the incursion of the reed Phragmites australis, and predominantly freshwater.3. A total of nine characteristic lagoonal species was present in the system.4. In 1990 the saline ponds had been allowed to dry out extensively, which was detrimental to the lagoonal species.5. The surveys concluded that the system of ponds is of national importance for conservation on account of its invertebrate community, particularly with the diversity of lagoonal habitat it offers. Optimum management of the system for conservation is discussed.