ASSESSMENT OF ECOLOGICAL RESOURCES OF TWO MAJOR BECKS IN MIDDLESBROUGH, NORTH YORKSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM

Urban watercourses are critical ecological assets, yet they face significant anthropogenic pressures. This study presents a quantitative assessment of the ecological resources of two prominent becks in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire: Marton West Beck and Ormesby Beck. These becks were selected due to their contrasting management profiles; Marton West Beck represents a typically modified urban watercourse, while Ormesby Beck has recently undergone significant restoration, including the removal of a tidal barrier. A comparative research design was employed, establishing six sampling sites across both becks (three per beck). At each site, key physico-chemical water quality parameters (pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Turbidity, Nitrate, Phosphate), physical habitat quality (using the River Habitat Survey - RHS), and macroinvertebrate assemblages (using the Biological Monitoring Working Party - BMWP and Average Score Per Taxon - ASPT indices) were assessed.The results indicate a significant disparity in ecological health between the two becks. Marton West Beck exhibited characteristics of a heavily impacted urban river, with significantly higher mean concentrations of phosphate (0.45 mg/L) and nitrate (6.8 mg/L), and lower biological water quality, reflected by a mean BMWP score of 65 and an ASPT of 4.1. Its physical habitat was classified as Significantly Modified with a mean Habitat Modification Score (HMS) of 28. In contrast, Ormesby Beck showed marked signs of ecological recovery.