Recently published research reports that mayflies, freshwater snails and other invertebrates in Welsh rivers are recovering slower than expected, even though the cause of their decline - acid rain - is no longer the problem it once was.
Mayflies are extremely sensitive to acid levels in rivers.
The research confirms that conditions in upland British streams are improving, but ecological recovery is marginal and varies with land use.
The findings, published today in the Journal of Applied Ecology, indicate that climate is hampering recovery. It seems recent wet winters increase acidity in moorlands and forest streams, offsetting previous gains.
Read the full article here:
http://planetearth.nerc.ac.uk/news/story.aspx?id=256
