Two ecosystem islands have been launched at Liverpool's historic waterfront at Wapping Dock and Sefton park. The one at Wapping Dock is a saltwater/estuarine ecosystem with a surface of 63 square meters (watch this video). It has a submerged shingle shelf for small fish and a submerged ‘reef’ made of empty oyster shells in cages, and it is planted with saltwater tolerant reeds, grasses and flowering plants. The goal of the installation is to boost biodiversity in the dock waters, to signpost the new green route and to raise awareness of the role of nature-based solutions. The 25 square meter freshwater floating ecosystem island in Sefton park (watch this video) will also improve local biodiversity by providing a home for pollinators. Moreover, the roots of the planted reeds will help clean the water and improve water quality.
“Green infrastructure has to be a key part of current and future cities” said Juliet Staples from Liverpool City Council in an interview with Biomatrix Water, the ecological technology company which installed the saltwater Wapping dock island. “Not only does it make for a more pleasant city but the environmental, social and economic benefits that green and blue infrastructure provides also help cities adapt to future predicted climate change impacts and become more resilient. In this context, floating ecosystems can form part of a suite of options for cities wanting to increase their biodiversity and make their cities more liveable”.