| Coastal Sand Dunes - SW |
|
||
| LBAP Home | Habitats | Common themes |
|
||
| LBAP involvement | 20% | |||
|
SW Resource Breakdown:2
1Action for biodiversity 2SW Biodiversity Audit (1996) |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Definition1 Definition: Windblown sand formations, both stable and shifting, and
the associated foreshore, slacks (areas of dune wetland), grassland,
heathland, scrub and woodland. Current Extent1 Within the UK there is about 47,000 ha of sand dunes, of which c9,300 ha occurs in England with approximately 4,000 ha in the South West. Cornwall and Devon are the most significant counties for these systems with over 40% occurring in each. Examples of important sites in the South West1 Key Sites in SW:
Habitat Loss1 Habitat loss has largely been due to dune modification, development, lack of management leading to scrub encroachment, lowering of water tables, and forestry.Associated Species1 Birds
Invertebrates
Plants
Current
factors affecting the habitat in the SW
UK biodiversity objectives and proposed targets Conservation Direction: Maintain the extent and enhance the habitat quality of sand dune systems, ensure the continuation of natural processes which create sand dune systemsSouth-west biodiversity objectives and proposed targets OBJECTIVE 1 OBJECTIVE 2 Ensure all sand dune systems>5 ha and their associated habitats
are managed for their wildlife OBJECTIVE 3 Produce a regional strategy to allow the re-introduction of endangered/recently extinct species to this habitat TARGET: by 2000 OBJECTIVE 4 Enhance the appreciation and enjoyment of the habitat in a sustainable manner. TARGET: ongoing About 50% of dune systems in the South West are designated nature reserves and are positively managed e.g. scrub control, maintenance/ regeneration of grassland. The Studland, Penhale, and Braunton Burrows sites are proposed SACs; the last is also an International Biosphere Reserve. Dawlish Warren forms part of the Exe Estuary SPA and is a LNR. Shoreline Management Plans deal with coastal defence and thus have a major impact on conserving and enhancing the biodiversity of sand dunes. New techniques for data capture and management are being pioneered by the RSGIS Unit at Bath College of Higher Education; these include an Aerial Digitising Photographic System and Global Positioning Systems. Trials are already underway to fully integrate these methods and concepts in an attempt to synthesize Coastal Zone Information in the South West. Detailed hydrological research, based on field data gathered on Braunton,
Dawlish Warren, and Northam Burrows, is being undertaken at the University
of Plymouth, in Devon, which is producing a model of dune systems and
hydrology to help solve problems applicable to other dune sites where
hydrological processes are monitored. Policy and legislation
Ensure development polices (CZM and SLM plans) safeguard sand dune systems (ongoing ) LEAD: LAs PARTNERS: EN, WTs, EA Management
Ensure coastal defence works and aggregate extraction are,
through shoreline management plans and related strategies, sympathetic,
sympathetic to natural processes (ongoing) Ensure management plans/agreements are drawn up and implemented
for systems >5 ha (by 2000) Agree an improvement programme that seeks to restore water tables
to favourable levels ( by 2001) Develop and implement a sustainable tourism strategy for sand
dune systems (by 2000) Advisory
Research and monitoring
Extend audit work to identify 'priority sites' (by 1997) Encourage and support research into prevailing coastal processes
and the effect of coast defences and extraction schemes (by 2000) Encourage and support research into the cause of falling water
tables and possible solutions (by 2005) Encourage appropriate survey and research (targeting key species
of conservation concern) to further define priority sites and key features
Education and awareness raising
Increase public appreciation and understanding of importance
of sand dune management for wildlife through interpretation, education
and public involvement (e.g. volunteers) on popular sites (ongoing) Assess educational/interpretative strategy for all sites and feed into tourism strategy (by 2000) LEAD: LAs PARTNERS: WTs, EN, HCT
|
| Home page |
