Summary of shingle management

Unlike saltmarshes, sand dunes and grazing marsh, where traditional forms of management including grazing have a significant influence of the nature of the habitat, this is not the case for shingle. Some limited grazing does take place on the most stable structures and may help to prevent the growth of course grassland and scrub, but this is only relevant to a small number of sites.

Management is more often associated concerned with sea defence works. This may take the form of reprofiling shingle ridges, recycling shingle material and the erection of structures on the beach to control longshore movement. Where these interfere with the natural processes of movement they can have significant impact on the ability of the structure itself to sustain itself.