As we have seen, rivers play a central role in human society, but what about the wildlife on our rivers?
They are a source of water, food and shelter necessary for animals to survive. Animals live at all three stages of the river: upper, middle and lower.At the upper stages of a river’s course, the flow of the river is fast and it gathers soil and organic material in its load. Here you will find the stonefly and mayfly making their homes. Otters also like to live at this stage of the river.
Kingfisher
Kingfisher
Courtesy of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local GovernmentKingfisher
Courtesy of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government
Courtesy of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government
Kingfisher
Kingfisher
Courtesy of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government
In the middle stages of a river’s course, it widens and it begins to slow down. It is here that the salmon and sea trout choose as their spawning ground, as you will learn about in the ‘Watery Wonders’ section.
If you are out exploring near the middle stage of a river, you will see a great variety of birds including the kingfisher.
When the river reaches its lower stages (close to the sea), its flow becomes very slow and it begins to deposit its load.
The calmer water is an attractive habitat for wading birds and you can see many colourful ducks as well as geese living here.
Protected Species
Freshwater Pearl Mussel
Freshwater Pearl Mussel
Courtesy of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local GovernmentFreshwater Pearl Mussel
Courtesy of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government
Courtesy of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government
Freshwater Pearl Mussel
Freshwater Pearl Mussel
Courtesy of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local GovernmentMany rivers in Ireland are home to protected species of fish and shellfish. One example is the freshwater pearl mussel. It is a protected species as the numbers of the freshwater pearl mussel are quickly falling. This mussel can live for over one hundred years but it needs very good quality water to stay alive. When our rivers become polluted or changed a lot by human intervention, these protected species are put at serious risk.
Read the story of 'Maggie the Freshwater Pearl Mussel' by clicking on the English or Irish link below.
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