HABITAT ACTION PLAN HABITAT ACTION PLAN
COASTAL & MARINE
SALTMARSH
What is SALTMARSH?
Saltmarshes are, in effect, a transitional stage between
mudflats and terrestrial habitat. They develop along
sheltered coasts with soft, shallow shores which provide
protection from strong wave action. Most (95%) of
saltmarsh in Great Britain is found within estuaries.
Saltmarshes form on alluvial deposits colonised by salt
tolerant plants and are frequently inundated with
seawater. It represents a transition from sand and
mudflat areas in the lower marsh areas, where the area is
frequently flooded, through to the upper marsh where
creeksides and depressions or pans occur. In the upper
most parts of saltmarshes there may be further
transitions to brackish, freshwater marsh, dune
vegetation or vegetation overlying shingle structures.
Saltmarshes form when salt tolerant plants in mudflats
first trap mud and silt. As the sediment builds up, the
mud surface rises and the saltmarsh develops outwards
from the land. The seaward edge is marked by the
lowest neap tides. Saltmarsh formation depends on the
degree of shelter and the amount of sediment available.
The habitat shows a clear vegetational zonation in
accordance with the frequency of its immersion in
seawater. Characteristic species include sea aster (Aster
tripolium) and common saltmarsh grass (Pucinella
maritima).
Where is saltmarsh found in the UK?
Saltmarsh is widely distributed around the UK coastline
and is believed to cover about 455,000 hectares, but
over 60% of the total resource is located in just over ten
sites. The most extensive tracts occur along estuaries in
Essex, North Kent, Lancashire, Norfolk, Lincolnshire
and Hampshire.
Why is saltmarsh of CONSERVATION
IMPORTANCE?
Saltmarsh is a highly specialised and productive habitat
supporting a flora which is adapted to cope with sea
water. Many nationally scarce species are confined to
saltmarshes. Areas where the structural and plant
diversity is high, especially where there are freshwater
seepages, are particularly important for invertebrates.
Other action plans and statements covering
issues relevant to saltmarsh:-
MUDFLATS***
COASTAL SAND DUNES***
STRANDLINE***
REEDBED, SWAMP, FEN AND MARSH**
LAPWING**
CURLEW**
ROCK PIPIT*
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COASTAL & MARINE
HABITAT ACTION PLAN HABITAT ACTION PLAN
SALTMARSH
Saltmarshes are important feeding grounds for migrating
and wintering bird species including wigeon, teal,
barnacle goose, knot and lapwing. The seeds of
saltmarsh plants may also attract feeding flocks of twite
and snow bunting.
additional 0.4ha occurs elsewhere.
A small area of saltmarsh, also an SNCI, occurs at the
confluence of the rivers Team and Tyne (0.3ha). Lower
saltmarsh species are poor, due to gross pollution. Upper
saltmarsh species are present including sea aster, wild
Saltmarsh acts as a natural coastal defence system,
celery, orache and sea club-rush. The saltmarsh is
dissipating wave energy and reducing the risk of damage
actively expanding. The SNCI at Derwenthaugh covers
to sea defences and flooding of low lying areas. The
an area of 0.2ha. An area of 0.2ha of saltmarsh occurs
intimate relationship between saltmarsh and other
adjacent to the MetroCentre. Typical upper saltmarsh
coastal habitats means that their management cannot be
species are present including false fox sedge, sea club-
divorced from actions to conserve those habitats e.g.
rush, common scurvy-grass and sea arrow-grass, all of
shingle structures, sand dunes and intertidal habitats.
which are local rarities.
Historically, large amounts of saltmarsh have been lost
In South Tyneside, saltmarsh is found mainly along the
as a result of land claim for agriculture and industry.
river Don (0.3ha) before it enters the Tyne, with small
pockets along the river Tyne (0.1ha). The River Don
saltmarsh comprises a narrow strip on either side of the
SALTMARSH IN THE DURHAM AREA
river and is dominated by sea aster. Other species
present include common scurvy grass, sea spurrey, and
What is the state of saltmarsh in the
DURHAM AREA?
sea plantain.
Within north-east England, salt marsh is found on all
area comprises 0.7ha in Gateshead, 0.4ha in South
the region’s estuaries. However the habitat is
Tyneside and 5.3ha in Sunderland.
The current estimated area of saltmarsh in the DBAP
particularly concentrated in Northumberland. The
regional resource is low by UK standards and is
particularly poor in the Durham area. This is due to lack
of sediment supply and suitable sites for the
accumulation of sediments. Since the Industrial
Revolution (mid-nineteenth century), the amount of
CURRENT STATUS:
Timber Beach, Claxheugh and Baron’s Quay are all
designated as SNCIs. Their nature conservation value is
not sufficient to warrant SSSI status.
saltmarsh on the rivers Tyne and Wear has been
The River Team Saltmarsh in Gateshead is designated
considerably reduced as a result of land claim.
as an SNCI, as is Derwenthaugh Saltmarsh.
The River Don saltmarsh is an SNCI.
WHERE does saltmarsh occur in the Durham
area?
There are other small non-designated areas along the
River Tyne as far west as Ryton Willows.
Saltmarsh is an increasingly rare habitat in the DBAP
area. There are three sites located along the river Wear.
Timber Beach is an SNCI covering an area of 2.5ha.
The SNCI at Timber Beach, although small, is of
botanical interest and also offers feeding grounds for
migratory birds. Numerous plants flourish here and the
plant communities show classic patterns of zonation
from pioneer communities through to upper saltmarshes.
Saltmarsh can also be found at Barons Quay (2.1ha) as
well as a small area at Claxheugh Riverside (0.3ha). An
Saltmarsh is at RISK from:
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT - land claim for industrial
development leads to the loss of salt marsh
communities, particularly upper saltmarsh and
transitional communities. Land reclamation has greatly
reduced the amount of saltmarsh on the rivers Tyne and
Wear. Further development is proposed particularly in
the Gateshead Metro Centre area.
COASTAL & MARINE
HABITAT ACTION PLAN HABITAT ACTION PLAN
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SALTMARSH
COASTAL SQUEEZE AND SEA LEVEL RISE - erosion of
the seaward edge of saltmarshes may occur due to rising
sea levels and an increase in wave energy. A combination of rising sea levels and maintenance of sea defences
contributes to a squeezing out of habitats as it is no
longer possible for sediment to be deposited further up
the shore. This increases both the erosion of lower
saltmarsh edge and the loss of upper saltmarsh habitats.
COASTAL DEFENCES - construction of coastal defences
e.g. sea walls along with dredging activities may disrupt
sediment dynamics i.e. erosion and deposition.
Construction works may result in loss of upper saltmarsh
and transitional communities.
POLLUTION - pollutants especially oil and any
subsequent clean-up operations can seriously damage
saltmarsh. Pollution incidents and long term poor water
quality, including an increase in nutrient levels can
damage the habitat and the species that live there.
Pollution is an important issue at the River Team
Saltmarsh because the River Team is grossly polluted as
it leaves the River Team Industrial Estate.
NON NATIVE PLANTS - e.g. Spartina angelica. Invasive
introduced species reduce the diversity of saltmarsh
vegetation and the value of the habitat as a feeding
ground for birds.
RECREATION AND SPORTING USE - motorised sport
leads to excess wash and erosion and may disturb bird
populations. There is a water skiing zone adjacent to
Timber Beach and close to other SNCIs.
planning proposals should take account of the presence
of salt marsh at or in the vicinity of the proposed site for
development.
ZONING OF RECREATIONAL USERS IN ESTUARIES to
limit erosion and wash from motorised water transport.
Important SPECIES for saltmarsh in the
Durham area:
DUNLIN
GLASSWORT
TURNSTONE
FALSEFOX SEDGE
RINGED PLOVER
SEA CLUBRUSH
REDSHANK
SEA ASTER
SEA ARROW GRASS
SEA MILKWORT
GREATER SEA SPURREY
SEA THRIFT
SEA PLANTAIN
HASTATE ORACHE
SEA COUCH
SEA RUSH
TARGETS
1
Maintain and enhance the current
distribution, extent and condition of
saltmarsh in the DBAP region.
(ONGOING)
2
Recreate or create 5 ha of saltmarsh.
(2010)
3
Monitor the condition of saltmarsh in
the area and its associated wildlife.
(ONGOING)
4
Raise awareness of the ecological
value of saltmarshes.
(2002)
5
Include contingencies for managing
saltmarshes in local strategic plans
such as the ICZM Plan
(2002)
IRREPLACEABILITY - saltmarsh is extremely hard to
replace once it has been destroyed.
Saltmarsh BENEFITS from:
THE PRODUCTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF
PROPERLY FORMULATED ESTUARY MANAGEMENT
PLANS which incorporate saltmarsh protection and
management issues.
DECREASED LEVELS OF POLLUTION - the "River Team
Revival Project" is proposing to enhance the River
Team as far as the confluence with the Tyne and this
process should benefit the adjacent saltmarsh.
REDUCED DISTURBANCE - saltmarsh is a fragile habitat
and does not withstand excessive physical disturbance.
PROTECTION FROM BUILT DEVELOPMENT - all
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COASTAL & MARINE
HABITAT ACTION PLAN HABITAT ACTION PLAN
SALTMARSH
ACTION PLAN
ACTION
DATE
Possible PARTNERS
Meets TARGET No.
POLICY AND LEGISLATION
1.
Local authority planning documents
should include a presumption against
development of land where
saltmarsh is present.
ONGOING
STMBC, SCC, GC
1, 5
2.
Shoreline Management Plans should
take account of available
mechanisms for the management
and creation of saltmarsh.
ONGOING
DEFRA, STMBC, GC,
SCC
1, 5
3.
Estuary Management Plans should be
developed and implemented. They
should consider the creation of salt
marshes as sustainable flood defences
and be incorporated into a wider
ICZM strategy.
2002
STMBC, GC, SCC,
C of N, NoTy
1, 2, 5
SITE SAFEGUARD AND MANAGEMENT
4.
Ensure appropriate management of
designated sites.
ONGOING
EN, GC, STMBC, GC,
SCC
1, 2, 3
5.
Ensure that construction and
development works do not adversely
affect areas of saltmarsh.
ONGOING
GC, STMBC, GC, EA,
DEFRA, SCC
1, 5
6.
Estuary management plans should
include policies for recreational
zoning of estuaries in order to
minimise the pressure on
saltmarshes.
2002
STMBC, SCC, GC,
C of N, NoTy
1
7.
Establish which sites are suitable for
habitat recreation/creation.
2001
EN, GC, SCC, EA,
STMBC
2, 5
RESEARCH AND MONITORING
8.
Monitor the wildlife of the
saltmarshes in the DBAP area.
ONGOING
EN, EA, GC, SCC,
STMBC, RSPB, DBC
3, 5
9.
Monitor the extent of saltmarsh in
the DBAP area.
ONGOING
EA, GC, SCC, STMBC,
EN
3, 5
ONGOING
EA, GC, SCC, STMBC
1, 3
10. Study the impact of adjacent
industrial developments on
saltmarsh.
continued...
HABITAT ACTION PLAN HABITAT ACTION PLAN
COASTAL & MARINE
SALTMARSH
ACTION PLAN
ACTION
DATE
Possible PARTNERS
Meets TARGET No.
RESEARCH AND MONITORING continued
11. Monitor the water quality and
pollution levels on the Tyne and
Wear.
ONGOING
EA
12. Encourage appropriate management
of saltmarshes through the
production of guidance material for
saltmarsh management, conservation
and flood defence.
ONGOING
EN, EA, DEFRA, DBAP
13. Enable existing partnerships e.g. the
Wear Estuary Forum to assist in
implementation of this plan for the
appropriate areas.
ONGOING
SCC, Wear Estuary
Forum
1, 3, 5
14. Ensure other relevant habitats are
taken into account when
implementing the saltmarsh plan.
ONGOING
DBAP, EN, SCC,
STMBC, EA, GC
1, 5
15. Utilise the results of national
research on factors influencing the
establishment of saltmarsh
vegetation and develop "best
practice" methods of management.
ONGOING
EN, GC, STMBC, SCC,
EA, DEFRA
1
ADVISORY
1, 2
1, 2, 3
COMMUNICATION AND PUBLICITY
16. Support the establishment of fora for
all estuaries in the area.
GC, STMBC, SCC
1, 4
17. Raise public awareness of the wildlife ONGOING
value of saltmarshes.
DBAP, DWT, EN, GC,
STMBC, SCC
4
18. Encourage local communities to take
action to reduce the impact of global
warming.
ONGOING
LA21 at GC, EDC,
DCC, STMBC, SCC,
C of N, NoTy
4
19. Prepare publicity information as part
of integrated coastal/marine
interpretation package.
2002
20. Promote awareness of the importance
of saltmarshes amongst appropriate
decision makers, including local
authorities.
ONGOING
2002
CA, DBAP, LAs
4, 5
EN, EA, DBAP, SCC,
STMBC, GC
4, 5
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