A condition assessment was conducted for the River Camel Valley and Tributaries SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) to determine the current ecological status of the SSSI. The SSSI was assessed against published UK attributes and targets (Common Standards Monitoring Guidance for Rivers) (CSMG) which identify the standards required for river special interests to be considered in favourable condition.
The SSSI was assessed on the rivers and streams feature (SSSI) which encompasses several attributes including flow, water quality, siltation, the physical structure of the river and artificial modifications, river vegetation and invertebrates, the structure of the bankside vegetation and the abundance of invasive non-native plants. The SSSI was also assessed for the notified features bullhead (Cottus gobio) (SSSI), otter (Lutra lutra) (SSSI/SAC) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo trutta) (SAC). A climate change risk assessment was conducted for all four features.
The assessment found the Rivers and Streams and European bullhead features to be in an unfavourable condition, Atlantic salmon unfavourable, declining and otter favourable. Multiple pressures have been identified including physical modifications such as weirs, point source and diffuse pollution. The existing data also suggests that the natural flow regime is being impacted by water company abstractions and discharges; however, it should be noted that a CSMG compliant flow report is still pending, expected to be completed by the Environment Agency in 2025.
Several mechanisms have been identified to help bring the SSSI and SAC features into favourable condition. These include investigative and regulatory mechanisms. Of primary importance is the need to reduce nutrient input into the catchment in order to decrease the impact of over-nutrification on the rivers and streams feature of the SSSI and the associated biodiversity it supports.