2002, EMU, Kentish Flats, Baseline Macrobenthic Ecology Study

The Kentish Flats Proposed Windfarm Development Baseline Macrobenthic Ecology Study was commissioned by Global Renewable Energy Partners and conducted by Emu Ltd. to inform the Environmental Impact Assessment and environmental management for the proposed windfarm site in the outer Thames Estuary. The research documented a diverse macrobenthic and fish assemblage dominated by Polychaeta and typical estuarine fauna, with species richness and biomass highest in mixed and gravelly sediments. Community structure was strongly correlated with sediment type and complexity, while sand-dominated habitats exhibited lower diversity. The study found no rare or protected species but noted the ecological significance of adjacent conservation sites, especially for seasonal seabird feeding. Key recommendations include continued ecological monitoring using the established baseline to detect impacts of windfarm construction and operation with an emphasis on sediment heterogeneity, substrate diversity, and the influence of ongoing riverine sediment inputs.