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Habitat loss versus 'coastal' change
The Guide provides a broad indication of the losses suffered by shingle as
a result of human action. It also highlights the important management issues
that need to be addressed when attempting to conserve the habitat and its associated
species. Preventing further losses as identified in Habitat Action Plan Target
1 (No net loss)
is achievable as the protective legislation, notably strengthening the SSSI
designation and the 'Habitats' Directive provide a primary focus
for protection. In addition for some of the most important sites ownership by
a Non Governmental Organisation (e.g. Orfordness
by the National Trust) or status as a National Nature Reserve (e.g. Dungeness)
should help ensure management and conservation go hand in hand.
Natural change
An important element in achieving this target lies in the recognition of the
way natural
mobility, as expressed in Section
2.2 of the coastal vegetated shingle Habitat Action Plan, will cause
changes to shingle features as erosion and deposition takes place. In order
to achieve this understanding it will be necessary to set the individual site
in a wider geomorphological context. This can be provided by identifying Coastal
Process Units and using these as the basis for reviewing policy towards
coastal management.
| Guidance. A thorough review of the relationship between individual
shingle systems and the underlying geomorphological context in which they
exist is required. This should identify the potential long term declines
in extent due entirely to natural changes. Futurecoast
provides such a context and this information together with other studies
(including links with marine processes) should form an essential element
in any assessment of policy options when considering management for nature
conservation or coastal
defence. This may be particularly important in areas where sea
level is known to be rising relative to the land. |
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