Coastal saltmarsh - biodiversity target

• The overall objectives of this saltmarsh plan are to offset the current losses due to coastal squeeze and erosion to maintain the existing extent of saltmarsh habitat of approximately 45,500 ha, and to restore the area of saltmarsh to 1992 levels (the year of adoption of the Habitats Directive which included saltmarsh as a habitat type of community interest). There is a need to identify realistic and achievable targets for creation. The results of individual estuary evaluations during the first five years of this 15 year plan will allow the headline targets set out below to be reviewed and refined. Such studies will also identify potential locations for saltmarsh creation. There will be a presumption against any further net loss of saltmarsh to land claim or other anthropogenic factors. The best available information has been used to establish the targets below;
• There should be no further net loss (currently estimated at 100 ha/year). This will involve the creation of 100 ha/year during the period of this plan. However, local losses and gains are to be expected in this essentially dynamic system;
• Create a further 40 ha of saltmarsh in each year of the plan to replace the 600 ha lost between 1992 and 1998, based on current estimates;
• Maintain the quality of the existing resource in terms of community and species diversity and, where necessary, restore the nature conservation interest through appropriate management.

It will be desirable for some managed realignment sites to develop the full range of saltmarsh zonation.

Comment: The national biodiversity targets are revised from time to time and updated by the JNCC at http://www.ukbap.org.uk/.