The rifes have been a special local feature for many centuries. In West Sussex dialect ‘rife’ describes the particular character of local rivers and streams running through the flat coastal plains. The Aldingbourne Rife is one of 6 rifes between Chichester harbour and the mouth of the Arun at Littlehampton. It is particularly important as a habitat for eels and water voles, both endangered species.
The aims of the project are to:
Make the rife a safe and suitable place for eels and water voles to live and build resilience in the face of potential future challenges
Investigate connectivity of the freshwater rife with the sea, so that eels can move freely
Capture what we know about the rifes’ catchment and monitor to fill the gaps
Enable a step change in water quality improvements
Build a legacy of care and ownership for the Aldingbourne Rife
