Natural History Wanderings

According to Wikipedia the Broads are a network of mostly navigable rivers and lakes in the English counties of Norfolk and Suffolk. It is a protected areas of  303 square kilometers (117 sq mi), that includes over 200 kilometers (120 mi) of navigable waterways. It is a protected area similar to a national park.

A recent study was conducted by the University of East Anglia.  It included the first complete survey of the species that are found in the Broads.  Old records dating back to the 17th century were also examined.

The findings documented that a quarter of the UK’s rarest plants and animals are found in the Broads.  It has the greatest number of species in one area of  the U.K. and includes many species that are not found elsewhere in Britain. Finding included  the identification of 423 rare species, including plants, insects and fish that  had not been recorded in the last 23 years and that 67 species have become extinct.

This research will be helpful in developing protections for wetlands that are vulnerable to climate change.

To read more go to the sources for this posting:
The BBC Broads are home to rare plants and animals
Broads Authority  The Broads are the nation’s rare wildlife hotspot
Wikipedia The Broads