Small Ripples to Great Waves How the actions of many individuals can create a wave of change The River Severn is the UK’s longest river, stretching 220 miles from its source in Plynlimon, Wales to eventually becoming the estuary that forms part of the border between Wales and England. Containing the second largest tidal range on the planet and an abundance of silt and debris, the River Severn has formed wetlands, mudflats, floodplains and lagoons which provide
habitats for a vast array of different species of wildlife. These areas are often only home temporarily for these animals - migratory birds tend to leave in spring and return for each winter, while many species of fish and eels use the river at specific points in their life cycle for breeding or feeding. Others remain in or near to the Severn all year round. With global warming, pollution
and an ever-increasing world population, the environment is under more pressure than ever and people are increasingly having to intervene in order to protect wildlife from the impacts of humankind. The introduction of non-native species of animals and plants as well as the changing uses of land also have huge and often unpredictable impacts on the flora and fauna of an area.
