Lambeth Floating Marsh

 

This art/science collaboration between artist Loraine Leeson and biophysical chemist Nithin Rai aimed to support biodiversity on the River Thames. Reed beds were constructed along the hull of the Tamesis Dock barge, situated opposite Tate Britain between Lambeth and Vauxhall bridges, the site of the original Lambeth Marshes. The initiative promoted the ‘greening’ of the shored up banks of the river, while providing a sheltered habitat and monitoring station for river organisms. It will also served as a pilot for how biodiversity conservation may be expanded along the inner city reaches of urban rivers. Visitors were able to connect to the project web site via their phones to observe recent activity and learn about the issues affecting biodiversity conservation in the Thames. In September 2015 images of these organisms were projected along the embankment.  The work was funded by the Western Riverside Environmental Fund, which re-directs revenue from landfill tax for environmental purposes.

Biodiversity and the Tidal Thames

The Tidal Thames is a recovering ecosystem of great ecological importance and the Estuary supports a diverse flora; rich populations of invertebrates; 121 species of fish and many internationally important aquatic birds.

In 1957 however the River Thames was declared biologically dead with water quality so poor that it could not sustain life. Since then the river has undergone a massive transformation, water quality has improved, and wildlife has returned. Nevertheless long stretches of concrete flood defense walls on the Thames are still preventing plant growth and the invertebrates that thrive in healthy riverbank habitats.

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Photos from the Lambeth Floating Marsh launch

On the evening of 15th September 2015, Lambeth Floating Marsh was opened by Professor Geoff Petts, Vice Chancellor of University of Westminster. Loraine Leeson and Nithin Rai described the project, while Chris Coode, Deputy Chief Executive of the environmental organization Thames2, provided an overview of the challenges and opportunities for wildlife along the urban reaches of the Thames.

Science and Technology dean Professor Jane Lewis drew on her specialist knowledge of micro organism behavior to consider the benefits of new habitat, and concluded the event by reflecting on the value of the arts and sciences working together to bring these issues to public attention.

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Professor Geoff Petts, Vice Chancellor of University of Westminster opened the event and spoke of his specialist interest in river ecology.


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Launch of Lambeth Floating Marsh

On the evening of 15th September 2015 projections of river organisms were projected along the Thames embankment in Lambeth  to draw attention to the importance of supporting biodiversity along urban rivers.

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This arts/science collaboration between artist Loraine Leeson and scientist Nithin Rai includes new reed bed habitat for micro organisms and invertebrates in long basket structures attached to the hull of the Dutch barge Tamesis Dock. Find out more at www.lambethfloatingmarsh.org.uk.

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