The search for growers of floating water-plantain

We're seeking large scale growers of aquatic plants to work with over the next few years, to propagate and translocate specimens into nature reserves.

With several kilometres of dredging, two new bridges and the creation of three new nature reserves – the project will be no small feat.

The ecology of the area, and its Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) designation, make conserving the unique aquatic plant assemblage a priority for the project team.

Luronium natans, or floating water-plantain as it is commonly known, is what gives the Montgomery Canal its high ecological importance. The canal holds the largest and most extensive population of floating water-plantain in Britain and is a highly significant lowland population.

In favourable management conditions the species can be dominant over kilometre lengths of canal, carpeting the shallow bed and colonising in abundance.

This is a semi-natural population, having colonised from drift material or seed but it requires periodic human disturbance for continued growth. There are many other species that outcompete Luronium within the encroaching vegetation of the canal channel, and the lack of disturbance to the water with no boat movements, has only exacerbated the challenge it faces.

The Montgomery Canal is a vital substitute for the species' former slow-moving, mesotrophic river niche, which has been largely destroyed in lowland Britain.

The new nature reserves, totalling over 6 hectares, will create a safe, and well managed haven where we hope the Luronium can thrive, without too much disturbance, but still be closely managed.

The Canal & River Trust are seeking large scale growers of aquatic plants to work with over the next few years, to propagate and translocate specimens into the nature reserves once completed.

If you are interested in finding out more, please download our Call for EOI's.