River Beult

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 51.1936, 0.5267

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Also within

Kent County

Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable No Change (6)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
TQ696501 — Unfavourable No Change 2.3 2014-02-07
TQ719483 — Unfavourable No Change 11.3 2014-02-07
TQ770479 — Unfavourable No Change 3.37 2014-02-07
TQ790461 — Unfavourable No Change 4.36 2014-02-07
TQ812441 — Unfavourable No Change 3.29 2014-02-07
TQ835435 — Unfavourable No Change 4.44 2014-02-07

Habitats

Arable, Fast flowing river and stream

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

SpeciesSeason
reed warbler Breeding

Description

Description The River Beult flows for most of its length over Wealden clay which influences its ecology. It is one of the few clay rivers in England which retains a characteristic flora and fauna. This type of river occurs predominantly in central England and has usually been canalised for land drainage purposes. The Beult flows through an agricultural catchment with sheep and cattle pasture, orchards and arable land. River flows are dependent on surface run off and weirs are placed in spring to maintain levels. In common with many lowland rivers, the Beult has suffered some enrichment with phosphate and nitrate from sewage effluent and agricultural run off. The section of river being notified, from Smarden to the Medway confluence, excludes the upper river which is ditch like with an impoverished fauna and flora. Vegetation The River Beult has a characteristically diverse clay river flora, with many emergent water edge plant species and a smaller number of submerged or floating plants. The total for the river and banks approaches 100 species, including 11 mosses and liverworts. The river channel is dominated by floating plants like yellow water lily Nuphar lutea, arrowhead Sagittaria sagittifolia and duckweeds, particularly Spirodela polyrhiza which can form a continuous cover over the water surface. Other common plants include white water lily Nymphaea alba, flowering rush Butomus umbellatus, unbranched bur reed Sparganium emersum and stands of bulrush Schoenoplectus lacustris. Submerged plants include five species of pondweed Potamogeton berchtoldii, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton obtusifolius, Potamogeton pectinatus and P. natans as well as rigid hornwort Ceratophyllum demersum and spiked water milfoil Myriophyllum spicatum. Characteristic river bank plants include water chickweed Myosoton aquaticum, amphibious bistort Polygonum amphibium, celery leaved buttercup Ranunculus sceleratus, great yellow cress Rorippa amphibia, water plantain Alisma plantgao-aquatica and purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria. The adjacent agricultural land use significantly affects these riverside plant communities, which in turn influence the insect and bird life. The most diverse plant communities occur where the river bank is relatively shallow and grades into a shallow berm grazed by cattle. The cattle poached water edge supports fool’s water cress Apium nodiflorum, brook lime Veronica beccabunga, blue water speedwell Veronica anagallis-aquatica, water figwort Scrophularia auriculata and water mint Mentha aquatica. Where the river bank is inaccessible to grazing animals, bulrush and branched bur reed Sparganium erectum, reed canary grass Phalaris arundinacea, or reed sweet grass Glyceria maxima become dominant. The river bank next to arable fields has weedy vegetation of nettle Urtica dioica and thistles Cirsium spp, due to fertiliser run off and pesticide spray drift. Animals Two nationally scarce invertebrates have been recorded from the River Beult; a water beetle Haliplus laminatus occurs in slow flowing stretches of the river and the hairy dragonfly Brachytron pratense is found in sluggish, well vegetated areas. Sixteen species of dragonfly and damselfly have been recorded. The thick emergent fringes of vegetation on the banks are important for several of the scarce species such as the white legged damselfly Platycnemis pennipes and the ruddy darter dragonfly Sympetrum sanguineum. The aquatic snail Bithynia leachii, is characteristic of species rich sites. Bare clay banks provide nesting sites for the kingfisher Alcedo atthis which occurs regularly along the river. Thick emergent fringes also provide cover and breeding sites for birds such as reed warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus and reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus.

Species mentioned

English name
search for this in other sites		 Latin name
search with Google		 IUCN / Red List Type Family
no common name Haliplus laminatus Not listed in GB list beetle haliplidae
reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus LC (Breeding) bird-bunting emberizidae
kingfisher Alcedo atthis LC (Breeding) bird-kingfisher alcedinidae
reed warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus LC (Breeding) bird-warbler acrocephalidae
white-legged damselfly Platycnemis pennipes LC damselflies platycnemididae
hairy dragonfly Brachytron pratense LC dragonfly aeshnidae
ruddy darter Sympetrum sanguineum LC dragonfly libellulidae
reed sweet grass Glyceria maxima LC grass poaceae
reed canary grass Phalaris arundinacea LC grass poaceae
water plantain Alisma plantgao-aquatica Not listed in GB list herb alismataceae
fools water-cress Apium nodiflorum Not listed in GB list herb apiaceae
flowering rush Butomus umbellatus LC herb butomaceae
hornwort Ceratophyllum demersum LC herb ceratophyllaceae
purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria LC herb lythraceae
water mint Mentha aquatica LC herb lamiaceae
water chickweed Myosoton aquaticum Not listed in GB list herb carophyllaceae
spiked water-milfoil Myriophyllum spicatum LC herb haloragaceae
water lillies Nuphar lutea LC herb nymphaeaceae
white water-lily Nymphaea alba LC herb nymphaeaceae
amphibious bistort Polygonum amphibium Not listed in GB list herb polygonaceae
slender pondweed Potamogeton berchtoldii LC herb potamogetonaceae
curled pondweed Potamogeton crispus LC herb potamogetonaceae
blunt leaved pondweed Potamogeton obtusifolius LC herb potamogetonaceae
fennel pondweed Potamogeton pectinatus Not listed in GB list herb potamogetonaceae
celery leaved buttercup Ranunculus sceleratus LC herb ranunculaceae
great yellowcress Rorippa amphibia VU herb brassicaceae
arrowhead Sagittaria sagittifolia NT herb alismataceae
water figwort Scrophularia auriculata LC herb scrophulariaceae
greater duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza LC herb lemnaceae
nettle Urtica dioica LC herb urticaceae
water speedwell Veronica anagallis-aquatica NT herb plantaginaceae
brooklime Veronica beccabunga LC herb plantaginaceae
unbranched bur reed Sparganium emersum LC reed typhaceae
branched bur reed Sparganium erectum LC reed typhaceae
common club rush Schoenoplectus lacustris LC sedge cyperaceae

Plant communities

A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream

Potamogeton natans community

Schoenoplectus lacustris, Juncus bulbosus, Sparganium angustifolium, Sparganium erectum, Sparganium minimum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Glyceria fluitans, Chara subspinosa

A14 — Fast flowing river and stream

Myriophyllum alterniflorum community

Isolepis fluitans, Juncus bulbosus, Fontinalis antipyretica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton filiformis, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus peltatus, Chara spp., Nitella hyalina

A17 — Chalk river and stream, Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans community

Berula erecta, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum hydropiper, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans

A18 — Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus fluitans community

Fontinalis antipyretica, Fontinalis squamosa var. curnowii, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus fluitans, Glyceria fluitans, Phalaris arundinacea

OV3 — Arable, Open habitat arable weed less fertile acid, Pond ditch and canal

Papaver rhoeas-Viola arvensis community

Bryum erythrocarpum, Phascum cuspidatum, Heracleum sphondylium, Achillea millefolium, Anthemis arvensis, Artemisia vulgaris, Cirsium arvense, Eupatorium cannabinum, Matricaria discoidea, Pulicaria dysenterica, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus asper, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Anchusa arvensis, Myosotis arvensis, Arabidopsis thaliana, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Descurainia sophia, Sisymbrium officinale, Valerianella locusta, Arenaria leptoclados, Arenaria serpyllifolia, Silene latifolia, Spergula arvensis, Stellaria media agg., Chenopodium album, Convolvulus arvensis, Medicago lupulina, Trifolium repens, Vicia sativa, Geranium dissectum, Epilobium hirsutum, Papaver argemone, Papaver dubium, Veronica arvensis, Veronica persica, Veronica triphyllos, Fallopia convolvulus, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex crispus, Anagallis arvensis, Aphanes microcarpa, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola arvensis, Agrostis stolonifera, Elytrigia repens, Poa annua, Poa trivialis, Chara vulgaris

OV4 — Arable

Chrysanthemum segetum-Spergula arvensis community

Bryum rubens, Daucus carota, Artemisia vulgaris, Bellis perennis, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Crepis capillaris, Filaginella uliginosa, Glebionis segetum, Matricaria discoidea, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus asper, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Anchusa arvensis, Myosotis arvensis, Brassica rapa, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lepidium didymum, Raphanus raphanistrum, Cerastium fontanum, Cerastium glomeratum, Spergula arvensis, Stellaria media agg., Euphorbia helioscopia, Trifolium dubium, Trifolium repens, Vicia sativa, Fumaria muralis, Geranium dissectum, Galeopsis tetrahit, Lamium purpureum, Stachys arvensis, Plantago major, Veronica agrestis, Veronica arvensis, Fallopia convolvulus, Persicaria maculosa, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex acetosella, Rumex crispus, Anagallis arvensis, Ranunculus repens, Potentilla anserina, Misopates orontium, Solanum nigrum, Viola arvensis, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Holcus lanatus, Lolium multiflorum, Lolium perenne, Poa annua, Poa trivialis

OV7 — Arable, Open habitat arable weed fertile loam and clay

Veronica persica-Veronica polita community

Aethusa cynapium, Cirsium arvense, Conyza canadensis, Matricaria discoidea, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus asper, Sonchus oleraceus, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Diplotaxis muralis, Erucastrum gallicum, Lepidium coronopus, Sisymbrium officinale, Thlaspi arvense, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex patula, Atriplex prostrata, Chenopodium album, Euphorbia helioscopia, Euphorbia peplus, Lamium amplexicaule, Lamium hybridum, Lamium purpureum, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Veronica persica, Veronica polita, Fallopia convolvulus, Polygonum aviculare, Anagallis arvensis, Ranunculus repens, Galium aparine, Solanum nigrum, Urtica urens, Viola arvensis, Agrostis stolonifera, Avena fatua, Elytrigia repens, Poa annua, Aphanes arvensis, Chara vulgaris

OV8 — Arable, Open habitat arable weed fertile loam and clay

Veronica persica-Alopecurus myosuroides community

Aethusa cynapium, Anthemis cotula, Cirsium arvense, Lapsana communis, Matricaria chamomilla, Matricaria discoidea, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus arvensis, Sonchus asper, Sonchus oleraceus, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lepidium coronopus, Sinapis arvensis, Sisymbrium officinale, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex patula, Atriplex prostrata, Chenopodium album, Chenopodium hybridum, Convolvulus arvensis, Euphorbia helioscopia, Euphorbia peplus, Trifolium repens, Geranium dissectum, Lamium purpureum, Plantago major, Veronica persica, Fallopia convolvulus, Persicaria maculosa, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex crispus, Galium aparine, Solanum nigrum, Urtica dioica, Urtica urens, Alopecurus myosuroides, Avena fatua, Elytrigia repens, Poa annua, Chara vulgaris

OV9 — Arable, Open habitat arable weed fertile loam and clay

Matricaria perforata-Stellaria media community

Juncus bufonius, Bryum rubens, Dicranella staphylina, Kindbergia praelonga, Barbula unguiculata, Phascum cuspidatum, Tortula intermedia, Riccia sorocarpa, Artemisia vulgaris, Cirsium arvense, Crepis capillaris, Filaginella uliginosa, Glebionis segetum, Lapsana communis, Matricaria discoidea, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus arvensis, Sonchus asper, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Tussilago farfara, Anchusa arvensis, Myosotis arvensis, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Raphanus raphanistrum, Sisymbrium officinale, Cerastium fontanum, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex patula, Atriplex prostrata, Chenopodium album, Equisetum arvense, Mercurialis annua, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Fumaria officinalis, Geranium molle, Galeopsis tetrahit, Lamium hybridum, Lamium purpureum, Chamerion angustifolium, Epilobium montanum, Papaver dubium, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Veronica arvensis, Veronica persica, Fallopia convolvulus, Persicaria maculosa, Polygonum arenastrum, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex acetosella, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Anagallis arvensis, Ranunculus arvensis, Potentilla anserina, Sherardia arvensis, Misopates orontium, Solanum nigrum, Urtica dioica, Viola arvensis, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anisantha sterilis, Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Hordeum vulgare, Lolium perenne, Poa annua, Poa trivialis, Aphanes arvensis, Chara vulgaris

OV10 — Arable, Open habitat arable weed fertile loam and clay

Poa annua-Senecio vulgaris community

Bryum argenteum, Heracleum sphondylium, Achillea millefolium, Anthemis cotula, Arctium minus, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Jacobaea vulgaris, Lapsana communis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Matricaria chamomilla, Matricaria discoidea, Senecio squalidus, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus asper, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Tussilago farfara, Myosotis arvensis, Alliaria petiolata, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Erophila verna, Lepidium coronopus, Raphanus raphanistrum, Sinapis arvensis, Cerastium fontanum, Spergula arvensis, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex prostrata, Chenopodium album, Euphorbia exigua, Euphorbia helioscopia, Medicago lupulina, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia sativa, Fumaria officinalis, Eriodium cicutarium, Lamium hybridum, Lamium purpureum, Chamerion angustifolium, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Plantago media, Veronica arvensis, Veronica chamaedrys, Veronica persica, Veronica polita, Fallopia convolvulus, Persicaria maculosa, Polygonum arenastrum, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex acetosa, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Anagallis arvensis, Ranunculus repens, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Urtica urens, Viola arvensis, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anisantha sterilis, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Festuca ovina, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Poa annua, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Aphanes arvensis

OV11 — Arable, Open habitat arable weed fertile loam and clay

Poa annua-Stachys arvensis community

Bryum erythrocarpum, Dicranella staphylina, Pleuridium subulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Tortula truncata, Daucus carota, Glebionis segetum, Matricaria discoidea, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Senecio sylvaticus, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus arvensis, Sonchus asper, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lepidium didymum, Sinapis arvensis, Cerastium fontanum, Cerastium glomeratum, Spergula arvensis, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex patula, Chenopodium album, Euphorbia exigua, Euphorbia helioscopia, Trifolium dubium, Trifolium repens, Fumaria bastardii, Fumaria muralis, Geranium dissectum, Lamium purpureum, Stachys arvensis, Kickxia elatine, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Veronica arvensis, Veronica persica, Fallopia convolvulus, Persicaria maculosa, Polygonum aviculare, Polygonum lapathifolium, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Anagallis arvensis, Ranunculus repens, Aphanes microcarpa, Potentilla anserina, Sherardia arvensis, Misopates orontium, Solanum nigrum, Viola arvensis, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Elytrigia repens, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Poa annua, Poa trivialis, Aphanes arvensis

OV13 — Arable, Open habitat arable weed fertile loam and clay

Stellaria media-Capsella bursa-pastoris community

Arctium minus, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Matricaria discoidea, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus arvensis, Sonchus asper, Sonchus oleraceus, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Brassica napus, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lepidium coronopus, Sinapis arvensis, Sisymbrium officinale, Thlaspi arvense, Spergula arvensis, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex patula, Atriplex prostrata, Chenopodium album, Chenopodium bonus-henricus, Chenopodium rubrum, Chenopodium urbicum, Calystegia sepium, Convolvulus arvensis, Euphorbia helioscopia, Euphorbia peplus, Mercurialis annua, Trifolium repens, Fumaria bastardii, Fumaria muralis, Geranium dissectum, Lamium album, Lamium hybridum, Lamium purpureum, Plantago major, Veronica agrestis, Veronica persica, Veronica polita, Fallopia convolvulus, Persicaria maculosa, Polygonum aviculare, Polygonum lapathifolium, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Galium aparine, Solanum nigrum, Urtica dioica, Urtica urens, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus myosuroides, Anisantha sterilis, Avena fatua, Elytrigia repens, Lolium perenne, Poa annua, Poa pratensis, Chara vulgaris