DORSET wildlife is threatened by the lack of rainfall and the county’s largest conservation body is calling on residents to help by conserving water.

The effects of the prolonged dry spell is having a serious impact on a wide range of wildlife that depends on rivers, ponds and wetland habitats, says Dorset Wildlife Trust.

“We may not have restrictions on our water use as in the east of the country but our rivers and their wildlife are in trouble,” said Sarah Williams, conservation officer for the trust.

“Several small streams are already drying up and parts of the winterbournes have not flowed at all this winter. It is vitally important that we all take saving water seriously now.

“This is something that everybody can do to help save our rivers and all the wildlife associated with them.”

High winter flows in rivers are important for oxygen levels, diluting pollutants and flushing silt to clean gravel beds where fish spawn. Low flows can make it difficult for salmon and eels to migrate upstream and there is likely to be an impact on a number of Dorset rivers this year.

The lack of water will also affect white clawed crayfish, water voles, amphibians and wading birds, which will struggle to find food, while important water plants will suffer from raised water temperatures.

“Dorset Wildlife Trust is working to improve the health of our rivers by restoring natural rivers, reducing pollution and planting trees to increase shade and stability as part of the Dorset Wild Rivers Project,” said Sarah.

“This should help them to be more resilient to both drought and flood.”

For more information about rivers and what you can do to help go online and visit the website at dorsetwildlifetrust .org.uk/dorset wildrivers or call Sarah Williams on 01305 264620.