Management of a fragile coastline

Ainsdale Dunes Reserve

Ainsdale Dunes Reserve

Ainsdale Dunes Reserve

• Main threats were from public, invasion by other species and competition from surrounding land use.

• Two aspects of management; Visitor and Ecosystem.

Ainsdale Dunes Reserve – Ecosystem Management

• Threats:

– Overuse by public, invasive species (species that don’t usually grow here), competition from other land uses

• Two ways of managing the area; Ecosystem Management and Visitor Management

Visitor Management

• This involves a zoned system of closed (sanctuary) areas, permit sections and open sites to the public (encouraging people to stay on the beach)

• Facilities provided to help and educate visitors. These include notice boards, car parks, boardwalks, fencing off and a warden service.

Ainsdale Dunes Reserve

Ainsdale Dunes Reserve

Ecosystem Management

• Bulldozers were used to remove plants and tree stumps that were not needed. Expensive but a last resort.

• Scraping involves excavating the dune slacks (far end of dunes inland) and withdrawing water in drought conditions. This has encouraged the growth of natterjack toads and encouraged the growth of rare patalwort.

Dune Slacks

Ecosystem Management cont.

• Grazing is important to control overgrowing. Rabbits have done this naturally but selected access for Herdwick sheep and some beef cattle is providing very successful.

• Sand management to create open areas is important to the succession and for species such as lizards.

Leaflet

Management Strategies for the future

Management Strategies for the future

• Three needs;

1. Ensure strategies are sustainable

2. Take a holistic view and abandon old piecemeal, one issue at a time approach.

3. Encourage cooperation between stakeholders.

• These have led to both Shoreline Management Plans and Integrated Coastal Zone Management.

1. Shoreline Management Plans (SMP)

• This strategy uses a combination of systems to provide the best long term solution to coastal defences

• Hard engineering could protect an economically important area and softer options could be used for beaches or values ecosystems (e.g. )

• Overall package would be more sustainable, economically, environmentally and socially.

• Most of UK have a SMP in place. • E.g. Beachy Head to South Foreland SMP

Handout

2. Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)

• Aims to establish sustainable levels of economic and social activity in Britain's coastal areas, while at the same time protecting the coastal environment.

• In other words they deal with broader economic and social issues in regions where the coast plays a significant role.

3. Coastal Realignment

• Where is this?

Coastal Realignment

3. Coastal Realignment

• Communities along the East coast of England (e.g. ……………….) have recently adopted this strategy to manage their coastline.

• Old sea defences have been broken through to allow the (low value) land to flood.

• The deliberate creation of new salt marsh land has meant that a greater ‘buffer’ has been created.

• This relives the pressure that rising waters would have in storm surges. It slows down the movement of the water inland and allows for greater energy dispersal.

Management Strategies for the future