Some fish such as salmon need access to freshwater but obstacles such as dams and hydropower plants can act as barriers and prevent them migrating and spawning.

However, rivers in Switzerland, which are all regulated, have benefitted from some innovative solutions to reduce the impact of hydropower plants and dams on fish. To solve this challenge, bypass channels or fishways have been built at almost at every dam and weir.

 

http://bit.ly/18kSSoZ

Following  flooding across much of Europe in June the idea of integrating rivers back into their natural floodplains is being more widely discussed. An article in Spiegel Online looks at the effects of fthe flooding in Germany and asks whether governments are looking more seriously at river restoration.

Photo: Spiegel Online

 What is your river worth?

How much is nature worth?  Some believe the only way to preserve nature is to show that it can pay its way in a world driven by money, others disagree saying nature is too precious to be left to the whim of markets. Monty Don discusses if we should put a price tag on nature and if so how do we value it?  (Source:BBC Radio 4)

Listen to the programme on Radio 4's Shared Planet

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0367rwq

Natural England and the Environment Agency will continue as separate entities but must undertake significant changes in the way they operate, Defra Secretary Owen Paterson has announced but they will be required to review their services and make further efficiences.