Coastal Sand Dunes LBAP

Coastal Sand Dunes - N Devon


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Key factors

Extent/Distribution

Sand dunes form a vital natural resource as a unique habitat for rich and diverse communities of highly specialised plant and animal species. Sand dunes provide a coastal protection role by absorbing wave energy.

South West England contains c4,000 ha of sand dunes, North Devon has a great population with 1130 ha of sand dunes and five of the County's six dune systems.

Braunton Burrows - 899 ha
Croyde Bay - 19 ha
Instow Dunes - 32 ha
Northam Burrows - 134 ha
Woolacombe Sands and Down - 46 ha

Threats

Extraction of sand and gravel whether nearby or offshore, coastal defence works reducing sediment movement and excessive dune stabilisation works, leading to a lack of sand movement.
Increasing tourism leading to excessive local erosion and disturbance to wildlife, especially nesting and roosting birds; localised dog fouling.
Beach cleaning including the removal of natural organic matter such as seaweed leading to destruction of the strand line ecosystem
Under grazing leading to excessive development of scrub and rank species poor vegetation
Over grazing leading to excessive erosion and a uniform species poor short turf
Invasive non native species such as sea buckthorn and michaelmas daisy overwhelming native plants
Falling water tables due to agricultural and recreation demands
.
Agricultural/golf course management such as stock feeding/fertiliser use.
Rising sea levels, possible increased storm events leading to direct loss of habitat

Action Plan Objectives

OBJECTIVE 1:

Maintain the current extent, distribution and quality of sand dune areas in North Devon

TARGET: No loss of sand dune areas

OBJECTIVE 2:

Protect sand dune habitats of conservation value from inappropriate uses.

TARGET: No inappropriate uses of developments to take place.

OBJECTIVE 3:

Ensure sites of conservation value are managed to enhance their wildlife value.

TARGET:Ensure on all sites by 2005.

OBJECTIVE 4:

Restore, where appropriate, other sand dune areas to favourable conservation status.

TARGET: All sand dunes to be under favourable management by 2010.

OBJECTIVE 5:

Foster greater public understanding, awareness and involvement in the management of sand dunes.
Extend public involvement with access to appropriate areas.

Action Plan Targets

[ see above ]

Current Action

[no generic action - see below]

Proposed Action

Policy and legislation

Ensure that planning policies protect sand dunes from inappropriate development or neglect.

LEAD: NDDC
PARTNERS: EN, DCC

Implement strategies for managing the coastal zone with reference to dune systems at local and regional levels.

LEAD: L/O
PARTNERS: NDDC, EN, NDCCS

Review and, if necessary revise the powers and duties of coastal authorities for safeguarding this habitat.
LEAD: EN
PARTNERS: DCC, NDDC

Explore and obtain funding for necessary work .

LEAD: EN, MoD, NT
PARTNERS: Landowners

Management

Continue or implement management programmes to conserve site for geomorphological coastal landform processes.

LEAD: MoD, NT
PARTNERS: NDDC, EN, NDCCS

Maintain the full successional range of indigenous species through best ecological management.

LEAD:Landowners

Control damaging and invasive species.

LEAD: Landowners

Ensure the survival and long term variability of rare species, enhance populations, and reintroduce species as appropriate.

LEAD: Landowners

Support suitable public access in accordance with above, control damaging access and activities

LEAD: NDCCS, NT
PARTNERS: NDCCS, DWT

Research and monitoring

Identify management requirements of sites, evaluate results of operations on currently managed sites.

LEAD: EN, Landowners
PARTNERS: DWT, NDCCS

Education and awareness raising

Foster increased understanding and awareness.

Progress

[no information currently available]