Threats

Action Plan Objectives

i) protection through designation of European wildlife sites

Proposed European wildlife sites encompass most coastal habitats in Purbeck. Designation will, in effect, formally recognise the international importance of these areas which will be a very important consideration when assessing the acceptability of development, or other proposals, which could adversely affect such sites.

ii) to recreate additional coastal habitats, particularly estuarine habitats, to take account of likely losses from coastal erosion, especially that associated with sea level in Poole Harbour.

Shoreline Management Plans are being produced by partnership of Local Authorities and other agencies to look at the issue of coastal defence. These plans will have to take account of the problem of sea level rise produced by global warming which could be as much as 6 centimetres per decade. These predicted changes could lead to serious losses of some coastal habitats such as intertidal mud and saltmarsh. In some locations it may be more appropriate to allow areas to flood more frequently, rather than seeking to protect them. In locations where such 'managed retreat' is an option potential may exist for the recreation of coastal habitats. The Environment Agency's Frome and Piddle Water Level Management Plans (when produced) will also attempt to tackle issues of sea level rise and managed retreat.

iii) to increase the level of knowledge of marine habitats and Purbeck

The Habitat Action Plans for maerl beds and shallow sublittoral rock habitats revealed a very limited level of knowledge of the ecology of much of Purbeck's marine environment (although some survey has been done, for example within the Purbeck Marine Nature Reserve or in connection with oil exploration work). Indeed plans for other coastal habitats could be progressed to the level of habitat statements due to the lack of available knowledge. Increasing the level of knowledge of marine habitats in Purbeck is a priority in order to both better understand the importance of Purbeck's marine habitats and to assess the impacts of various marine and coastal activities. The Coastwatch Project at Durlston, which aims to use marine research and interpretation to enhance the understanding and enjoyment of coastal and marine wildlife, and programmes of survey dives, such as those undertaken by the Purbeck Research Team, have an important role to play here.

iv) to identify conflicts, or potential conflicts between nature conservation and other uses of marine and coastal areas, such as recreation and the exploitation of mineral resources, which need to be taken into account in any coastal zone management initiatives.

The management of the coast requires co-operation between a large number of different agencies, bodies and individuals. It is important that issues affecting coastal and marine wildlife are known or understood so they can be properly taken into account in any coastal zone management initiatives. Important issues identified in the various habitat action plans are:

• The impact of recreation which affects both marine and coastal habitats. Overuse can cause problems such as erosion on land and disturbances to plant and animal communities at sea;
  
• Lack of knowledge as to the effect of dumping dredged sediment on maerl beds around Handfsst Point;
  
• Sewage and other discharges can affect habitats close to outfalls and marine habitats more generally; and
  
• The risk of pollution associated with oil development, particularly from spillages, and marine aggregates extraction.

Action Plan Targets

Marine Habitats - General

To increase knowledge and understanding of marine habitats

Produce a marine sensitivity map of Purbeck to identify sensitive areas - By 2000

Maritime Cliff and Slope

To maintain the nature conservation interest through grazing and visitor management and increase survey and monitoring programmes.

Survey species and expand monitoring (1998 onwards)
Encourage appropriate clifftop grazing and fencing (1997 onwards)
Review effects of recreation (1997 onwards)

Maerl beds

To increase knowledge and understanding of maerl beds and identify and reduce detrimental impacts on this habitat.

Map, survey and monitor distribution and population of maerl (by 1999)
Research factors affecting their survival (by 2005)

Current Action

In recent years the concept of coastal zone management has emerged which suggests that a holistic approach to the management of maritime and coastal and coastal areas should be developed. In Britain, the Government suggests that this should be achieved through the co-operation of those agencies and individuals with an interest in the management concerned are aware of the importance of Purbeck's coastal and maritime habitats. Proposed European wildlife sites will reflect the importance of the coastal habitats, but more work is required to establish the status of Purbeck's marine habitats. In Dorset some coastal zone management initiatives already exist, such as the zoning of the waterspace of different recreational uses in Poole Harbour in the "Poole Harbour Aquatic Management Plan" (Poole Harbour Steering Group 1995). Other initiatives are likely to emerge through the Dorset Coast Forum which will be taking nature conservation issues fully into account.

Proposed Action

Policy and legislation

Progress