Seahorses, seals and sharks spotted in Thames as conservation boosts Thames habitats

"Conservation efforts along the 153 miles of the River Thames have delivered mixed results for wildlife, according to a new report that finds improvements in some species and habitats alongside emerging threats from climate change and pollution. Researchers recorded increases in several wading bird species, marine mammals and restored natural habitats, including intertidal areas that act as nurseries for many fish. The river continues to support a surprising range of wildlife, with seahorses, eels, seals and even sharks - including tope, starry smoothhound and spurdog - now documented in the Thames."

"Climate change is already having a measurable impact on the river. Since 2007, average summer water temperatures in London's tidal Thames have risen by about 0.13°C per year. Long-term monitoring also shows that water levels have been increasing since records began in 1911, with sea levels around Tower Bridge and the Tower of London rising by an average of 5mm per year since 1993."

Conservation efforts along the River Thames have produced habitat restoration and increases in wading bird species, marine mammals and intertidal nurseries that support fish. The river now hosts diverse fauna including seahorses, eels, seals and several shark species such as tope, starry smoothhound and spurdog. Fish species richness in the tidal stretch has declined slightly since the early 1990s, prompting calls for further research into causes. Climate change has raised average summer water temperatures and driven sea-level rise, while monitoring shows increasing water temperatures in the upper tidal Thames. Water quality has improved following sewage upgrades and tunnel projects.

Read at ianVisits