Figure 5a shows information about a river restoration project on the River Alt in Knowsley, Merseyside which took place in 1996 - AQA - A-Level Geography - Question 3 - 2022 - Paper 2

The river restoration project has transformed the River Alt significantly. Initially, the river followed a straight channel which was detrimental to its ecology. The project involved diversifying the channels by implementing meandering pathways which created diverse habitats along the floodplain, such as the braided channels observed in Figure 5a. This approach not only reduced the speed of water flow but also increased the surface area, benefiting wildlife and plant life.

The improvements in water quality from 1995 to 2006, illustrated in Figure 5b, suggest a direct connection to these physical changes in the river. In 2000, there was a notable increase in the water quality score, which corresponds with the restoration efforts. The planned meandering and the diverse planting strategy have improved the ecological balance in the river, as indicated by the increased number of invertebrate species — a sign of improved biodiversity.

Moreover, by the end of the observed period, it can be seen that the water quality score has reached its highest point, showcasing the long-term impacts of the restoration project. Notably, it is important to consider that these changes are historical, and while we can confirm the visible improvements, we cannot predict future developments beyond 2006.