Natural and Historic Environment
3. Natural and Historic Environment
3.1 Habitats and Designations
Image 3a: View from Exmouth Local
Nature Reserve
Source: EEMP
Image 3b: Mussel beds on the Estuary
Source: EEMP
Image 3c: Sand dunes at Dawlish Warren
Source: Jane Lockett
Habitats
The Exe Estuary and its surrounding hinterland is an incredibly rich and diverse area encompassing many
GLIIHUHQWKDELWDWW\SHV$PRQJWKHLPSRUWDQWKDELWDWVRQWKH([HDUHPXGÀDWVDQGVDQGÀDWVPXVVHOEHGV
eelgrass beds, sand dunes, salt marsh and intertidal reedbeds.
32 | State of the Exe Estuary 2014
Natural and Historic Environment
0XGÀDWVDQG6DQGÀDWV
The greater part of the Exe Estuary environment
FRPSULVHVµLQWHUWLGDOPXGÀDWRUVDQGÀDW¶KDELWDWZKLFK
means that at high tide the mud is covered by water, but
at low tide it is exposed to the air. The sediment that forms
WKHPXGÀDWVDQGVDQGEDQNVLVFDUULHGIURPWKHZLGHU
catchment by the River Exe and marine-derived sand
is also deposited in the Estuary. The mud in the Upper
(VWXDU\LV¿QHVLOWEXWWRZDUGVWKHPRXWKRIWKH(VWXDU\
the sediment becomes more coarse and sandy. Where
the sediments are very coarse eelgrass can develop and
mussels or algae may be present if there are stones or
Image 3d: 6DQGÀDWVRQWKH([H(VWXDU\ shells to act as attachment points.
Source: EEMP
$OWKRXJKWKH\ORRNOLNHHPSW\H[SDQVHVPXGÀDWVKDYHDKLJKRUJDQLFFRQWHQWDQGDUHYHU\SURGXFWLYH
habitats. In fact, a square metre of Exe Estuary mud can contain up to ten million microscopic worms,
VHYHUDOWKRXVDQGVQDLOVKXQGUHGVRIVKHOO¿VKDQGDJRRGKDQGIXORIPDULQHZRUPV$W([PRXWKWKHUH
is a population of the rare bristle worm Ophelia bicornis which is only found at one other site in Britain.
7KHWLGDOFUHHNVRIWKHPXGÀDWVDQGVDQGÀDWVDOVRDFWDVQXUVHU\DUHDVIRUÀDW¿VK
7KHH[WHQVLYHLQWHUWLGDOKDELWDWVRIPXGÀDWVDQGVDQGEDQNVDUHWKHPDLQUHDVRQIRUWKHKLJKQDWXUH
conservation value of the Exe Estuary because they support large populations of invertebrates
which attract internationally important numbers of wildfowl to feed at low tide. For example, avocet
Recurvirostra avosetta primarily feed on the mud shrimp &RURSKLXPYROXODWRU which is predominantly
found at the northern end of the Estuary.
$QRWKHULPSRUWDQWUROHRIPXGÀDWVLVWRGLVVLSDWHZDYHHQHUJ\DQGWKH\SOD\DQLPSRUWDQWUROHLQ
UHGXFLQJWKHULVNRIHURVLRQGDPDJHWRVDOWPDUVKHVDQGFRDVWDOGHIHQFHVDQGRIWLGDOÀRRGLQJLQ
low-lying coastal areas.
State of the Exe Estuary 2014 | 33
Natural and Historic Environment
Mussel Beds
Image 3e: Exe Estuary Mussels
Source: EEMP
The intertidal mussel beds within the Exe Estuary are
WKHEDVLVRIDQLPSRUWDQWDQGYDULHG¿VKHU\ZKLFKORFDO
residents have managed for generations and which has
provided marketable grades of cockles, winkles and
mussels. Many large mussel beds or ‘lays’ had been
WHQGHGKLVWRULFDOO\E\¿VKLQJIDPLOLHVXQWLOUHFHQWWLPHV
particularly on the east side of the estuary but this practice
has declined as has the extent of the former mussel beds
due to erosion. There are also wild mussel beds in the
Estuary, particularly at Bull Hill on natural ‘skears’, which
is a term for an area of stable intertidal pebble or boulder
JURXQG0XVVHOVDUHµ¿OWHUIHHGHUV¶ZKLFKPHDQVWKDW
they sieve many litres of water each day to draw out the
plankton that are suspended in it.
7RGD\WKH([H(VWXDU\VXSSRUWVRQHRIWKHODUJHVWFRPPHUFLDOPXVVHO¿VKHULHVLQWKH6RXWK:HVW
of Britain, which is based on the rearing of mussels Mytilus edulis mostly on sub-tidal beds or ‘lays’
between the Dawlish Bight and Powderham area and in the mouth of the Exe.
7KHVKHOO¿VKUHVRXUFHVRIWKH(VWXDU\DOVRSURYLGHIRRGIRUELUGVVXFKDVR\VWHUFDWFKHUVZKLFKEUHDN
RSHQWKHPXVVHOVLQRUGHUWRHDWWKHÀHVKLQVLGHDQGE\FUHDWLQJDSURGXFWLYHPXGG\DUHDDURXQG
them. They also provide food for other waders, such as redshank and curlew.
Eelgrass
Eelgrass beds develop on muddy or sandy intertidal and
subtidal areas which are sheltered from wave action. The
two species of eelgrass recorded on the Exe Estuary
are Zostera noltii and Zostera angustifolia. Zostera noltii
prefers to grow on higher ground which is free-draining
at low tide, whereas Zostera angustifolia occupies dips,
channels and gullies and so remains wetter for longer.
During peak season they are easily distinguished by size
and colour as well as habitat preferences.
(HOJUDVVEHGVKDYHPDQ\LPSRUWDQWSK\VLFDODWWULEXWHV±
they damper wave and current actions, trap suspended
particulates and reduce erosion by stabilizing the
sediment. They also improve water clarity, cycle nutrients
and generate oxygen during daylight hours. Furthermore,
HHOJUDVVSURYLGHVDEHQH¿FLDOVWUXFWXUHHQYLURQPHQWIRURWKHUHVWXDULQHVSHFLHVRIIHULQJUHIXJHIRU
predators, a source of food, a surface for attachment and a nursery area.
Image 3f: Eelgrass bed at
Dawlish Warren
Source: Jenny Lockett
During the winter months populations of Wigeon and Brent geese feed extensively on the Exe
Estuary’s eelgrass beds. In addition the leaves of eelgrass may be covered in organisms such as
DOJDHDQGDQHPRQHVFUHDWLQJDQLGHDOQXUVHU\DUHDIRUVPDOO¿VKDQGFUXVWDFHDQVVXFKDVSODLFHDQG
the prawn &UDQJRQFUDQJRQ, which are prey for a number of bird species, including the rare Slavonian
grebe Podiceps auritus.
34 | State of the Exe Estuary 2014
Natural and Historic Environment
A combination of aerial photographs and ground truthing surveys have been used in the last decades
to determine the extent of the Zostera beds within the Exe Estuary. In 2001, a survey commissioned
by Natural England estimated there to be in the region of 1.5 million m2 of eelgrass, composing very
dense Zostera beds within Exmouth Local Nature Reserve and inner Dawlish Warren, and sparse
beds further north, around Lympstone. Since 2001, the Zostera beds in both sides of the Estuary
seem to be well established and stable and few distribution changes have occurred. The Environment
Agency has been monitoring and mapping the Exe Estuary ZosteraEHGVZLWKPRUHWKDQGHQVLW\
and the 2013 distribution is shown in Figure 3a.
Historically, the distribution and area covered by Eelgrass has changed greatly in the Exe Estuary
during the 1990’s, and there are good records to illustrate this change1,3. Allen and Todd3 noted that,
LQ*UHHQODQG%DQNEHWZHHQ3RZGHUKDP&DVWOHDQG7RSVKDPZDVDOPRVWHQWLUHO\FRYHUHG
with Zostera noltii. A further extensive study in 19854 found no trace of eelgrass on Greenland Bank,
DOWKRXJKWKH\VSHFL¿FDOO\ORRNHGIRULWLQGLFDWLQJWKDWSHUKDSVWKHEHGKDGEHHQORVWWRDµZDVWLQJ
disease’ during the 1930s2.
Proctor5 found ZosteraSUHVHQWIURPEHKLQG'DZOLVK:DUUHQWR&RFNZRRGEXWWKHZostera
survey only found it in the south western corner. It has been concluded that Zostera beds on the
eastern side of the Exe Estuary have reduced by approximately half in the last century. The largest
area of Zostera noltii is now found on the south eastern side of the Estuary around the Exmouth Local
Nature Reserve.
Both human-related and natural factors can lead to decline in the extent of Zostera beds on the
([H(VWXDU\VXFKDVUHFUHDWLRQDODFWLYLWLHVDQGFOLPDWHIDFWRUV&RPDQDJHPHQWPHDVXUHVKDYH
been carried out by agencies, the Exe Estuary Management Partnership and users to maintain
the favourable conservation status of the existing Zostera beds on the Exe. Measures include a
voluntary agreement with crab collectors to not increase the number of crab tiles on the Estuary, and
DYROXQWDU\NLWHVXU¿QJH[FOXVLRQ]RQHDW'XFN3RQGGXULQJWKHZLQWHUDYRLGLQJWKHVSRUWLQDUHDVWKDW
overwintering wildfowl use for grazing on zostera.
1
English Nature, 2002
'HYRQ%LRGLYHUVLW\5HFRUGV&HQWUH
3
Allen and Todd, 1900
4
'L[RQHWDO
5
Proctor, 1980
'HYRQ%LRGLYHUVLW\5HFRUGV&HQWUH
2
State of the Exe Estuary 2014 | 35
Natural and Historic Environment
6DOWPDUVK&RPPXQLW\
Saltmarsh is a very productive coastal wetland habitat
which develops along low-energy estuarine shores. It is
important that saltmarsh vegetation can survive in the
dynamic, saline conditions caused by tides because the
presence of plants and roots stabilises sediments and
reduces erosion. Saltmarsh habitats provide grazing and
roosting areas for wildfowl and waders and sheltered
QXUVHU\DUHDVIRUVRPHVSHFLHVRIFRPPHUFLDO¿VKHJ
EDVV
Saltmarshes exist in areas of ‘coastal squeeze’ where
Image 3g: Saltmarsh at Dawlish Warren GHYHORSPHQWIRUKXPDQXVHLVOXFUDWLYHRUZKHUHÀRRGLQJ
due to sea level rise is likely. It is, therefore, a very
Source: EEMP
WKUHDWHQHGKDELWDWDQGSURMHFWVKDYHEHHQXQGHUWDNHQWR
UHVWRUHLQWHUWLGDOKDELWDWVLQWKH(VWXDU\,QKHFWDUHRIJUDVV¿HOGZLWKLQWKH*RRVHPRRU563%
UHVHUYHZDVVXFFHVVIXOUHVWRUHGXVLQJFDUHIXOFRQWUROOHGÀRRGLQJNQRZQDV5HJXODWHG7LGDO([FKDQJH
6\VWHPV57(7KHSURMHFWFUHDWHGDQLPSRUWDQWDUHDRIVDOWPDUVKHVKLJKO\XVHGE\DIDUJUHDWHU
YDULHW\DQGQXPEHURIELUGVIRUIHHGLQJDQGURRVWLQJWKDQZDVREVHUYHGSULRUWRWKHSURMHFW
There is also well-managed saltmarsh habitat at other sites around the Exe Estuary, including at the
PDUJLQVRI([HWHU&DQDODQG'DZOLVK:DUUHQ
Intertidal Reedbeds
5HHGEHGVDUHDQLPSRUWDQWKDELWDWIRUELUGVLQWKH8.
They support populations of birds by providing roosting
and feeding sites for migratory species, and are used as
roost sites for a number of species in winter. Reedbed
KDELWDWVDUHXVHGDVDUHIXJHIRUVKRDOVRI\RXQJ¿VKDQG
eels, which are a food source for many animals. Many
important invertebrate species are also closely associated
with reedbeds.
Image 3h: ,QWHUWLGDOUHHGEHGVRSSRVLWH
Topsham
Source: Devon Biodiversity
5HFRUG&HQWUH
As well as providing a good setting for recreational
activities, reedbeds have the special ability to act as
QDWXUDO¿OWUDWLRQV\VWHPVIRUZDVWHZDWHU/LNHRWKHU
LQWHUWLGDOKDELWDWVWKH\DOVRKDYHÀRRGGHIHQFHIXQFWLRQV
and stabilise sediments to reduce erosion.
On the Exe Estuary, intertidal reed beds are found at
Exminster and between Topsham and Exton.
_6WDWHRIWKH([H(VWXDU\
Natural and Historic Environment
Subtidal Habitats
The subtidal habitats of the Exe Estuary are mostly soft or sandy sediments, although some areas of hard
VXEVWUDWHDUHSUHVHQWLQWKHPLGGOHUHDFKHVEHWZHHQ&RFNZRRGDQG6WDUFURVV7KHVZHSWVDQGVRIWKHPDLQ
FKDQQHODUHWKRXJKWWREHVXEMHFWWRUHJXODUPRYHPHQWDQGGLVWXUEDQFHE\WLGDOFXUUHQWVDQGULYHUÀRZV
although where areas of exposed bedrock or cobble exist on the seabed, these may provide more stable
structures for the attachment of a diverse assemblage of attached macro-algae and associated fauna.
7\SLFDOVSHFLHVIRXQGLQWKHVHVXEWLGDODUHDVLQFOXGHVSRQJHVK\GURLGVVWDU¿VKDQGFUDEVDVZHOODVWKHQRQ
QDWLYHVOLSSHUOLPSHW)LVKVSHFLHVVXFKDVVHDEDVVÀRXQGHUPXOOHWWKHVDQGJRE\DQGSLSH¿VKDOVRLQKDELW
the Estuary and migratory salmon and eel pass through on the way to their spawning grounds.
Maps showing the habitats of the intertidal and subtidal zones are shown in Figures 3a and 3b respectively.
State of the Exe Estuary 2014 | 37
Natural and Historic Environment
i
Exeter
Clyst St Mary
Topsham
Ebford
Exminster
Woodbury
Exton
Kennford
Lympstone
Barracks
Kenn
Lympstone
Kenton
Exmouth
Starcross
Cockwood
Dawlish
Warren
Dawlish
Key
Settlements
0
0.5
1
Kilometers
Intertidal habitats
Land
Tidal Water
EEMP Boundary
Boulder and cobble scar
Eelgrass bed
Mudflat and sandflat
Reed bed
Saltmarsh community
Mussel beds
Figure 3a: Intertidal habitats of the Exe Estuary
Source: DCC 2014 and OS 2014 background mapping.
Lospan 2001, EA 2013 and D&S IFCA 2013 data.
38 | State of the Exe Estuary 2014
© Crown copyright. All rights reserved.
100019783. 2014
Natural and Historic Environment
i
Exeter
Clyst St Mary
Topsham
Ebford
Exminster
Woodbury
Exton
Kennford
Lympstone
Barracks
Kenn
Lympstone
Kenton
Starcross
Exmouth
Cockwood
Dawlish
Warren
Dawlish
Key
Settlements
Land
Inter Tidal Zone
Tidal Water
EEMP Boundary
0
0.5
1
Kilometers
Subtidal habitats
Algal Turf
Mussel beds
Mixed sediments
Mud
Rocks
Figure 3b: Subtidal habitats of the Exe Estuary
Source: DCC 2014 and OS 2014 background mapping.
NE data 2006.
Sand
© Crown copyright. All rights reserved.
100019783. 2014
State of the Exe Estuary 2014 | 39
Natural and Historic Environment
Designations
7KHGLIIHUHQWKDELWDWVRIWKH([H(VWXDU\VXSSRUWDGLYHUVHDQGDEXQGDQWUDQJHRIÀRUDDQGIDXQDLQFOXGLQJ
wintering waterfowl and waders. Some areas of the Exe Estuary have multiple habitat designation, for example
DQDUHDPLJKWEHD6LWHRI6SHFLDO6FLHQWL¿F,QWHUHVW666,DQGDOVRD5DPVDU6LWH+RZHYHUIRUHDVHRI
SUHVHQWDWLRQHDFKGHVLJQDWLRQLVPDUNHGRQDVHSDUDWHPDS)LJXUHVGDQGH7KHKDELWDWGHVLJQDWLRQV
found in the Exe Estuary include:
For the whole Exe Estuary
‡
‡
‡
Exe Estuary Special Protection Area 63$
LQFOXGLQJ'DZOLVK:DUUHQ
Ramsar SiteLQFOXGLQJ'DZOLVK:DUUHQ
6LWHRI6SHFLDO6FLHQWL¿F,QWHUHVW666,
For Dawlish Warren
‡
‡
‡
‡
‡
‡
6SHFLDO3URWHFWLRQ$UHD63$ZLWK([H(VWXDU\
6SHFLDO$UHDRI&RQVHUYDWLRQ6$&
5DPVDU6LWHZLWK([H(VWXDU\
6LWHRI6SHFLDO6FLHQWL¿F,QWHUHVW666,
1DWLRQDO1DWXUH5HVHUYH115
/RFDO1DWXUH5HVHUYH/15
For Exmouth
Image 3i: The Exe Estuary
Source: EEMP
‡
/RFDO1DWXUH5HVHUYH/15
These international and national designations work to conserve and enhance the Exe Estuary, and ensure that
the wildlife is protected now and into the future. More detail about the different designations found on the Exe
Estuary is given below.
([H(VWXDU\6SHFLDO3URWHFWLRQ$UHD63$LQFOXGLQJ'DZOLVK:DUUHQ
Designated in 1992
$UHD&RYHUHG 2345.71 hectares
,PDJHM$YRFHWÀRFNRQWKH
Exe Estuary
Source: RSPB
40 | State of the Exe Estuary 2014
Reason for Designation: The Exe Estuary is recognised
XQGHUWKH(XURSHDQ&RPPLVVLRQ'LUHFWLYHRQWKH
&RQVHUYDWLRQRI:LOG%LUGV((&IRULWV
internationally important population of 720,000 wintering
waterfowl and waders. This includes the Annex I bird
species the Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta and Slavonian
Grebe Podiceps auritus.7KHGHVLJQDWLRQUHTXLUHV(&
member states to take measures to protect, manage and
control all species of naturally occurring wild birds, their
eggs, nests and habitats.
Natural and Historic Environment
([H(VWXDU\6LWHRI6SHFLDO6FLHQWL¿F,QWHUHVW666,
'HVLJQDWHGLQXQGHU:LOGOLIH&RXQWU\VLGH$FW
$UHD&RYHUHGKHFWDUHV
Image 3k: Brent geese feeding
Source: EEMP
Reason for Designation: The waters, foreshore and
low-lying land of the Exe Estuary are of national
importance for wintering wildfowl and waders. Many rare
species of plant are also present, and the sandbanks and
PXGÀDWVVXSSRUWFRPPXQLWLHVRILQYHUWHEUDWHVWKDWDUH
RIQDWLRQDOVLJQL¿FDQFH,QDGGLWLRQWKHVLWHFRQWDLQVNH\
features of geological, geomorphological and biological
LQWHUHVWDQGKDVEHHQWKHVXEMHFWRIFRQVLGHUDEOH
VFLHQWL¿FUHVHDUFK
'DZOLVK:DUUHQ6SHFLDO$UHDRI&RQVHUYDWLRQ6$&666,1DWLRQDO
and Local Nature Reserve
Reason for Designation: The boundaries of the various
designations of Dawlish Warren are shown in Figure 3e.
Some 58.84 hectares of Dawlish Warren is designated
DVD6SHFLDO$UHDRI&RQVHUYDWLRQ6$&XQGHUWKH
EU Habitats Directive, because of its sand dunes,
dune grassland habitats and the presence of Petalwort
Petalophyllum ralfsiiDUDUHDQGWLQ\OLYHUZRUWDQG
Marram Grass Ammophila arenaria.
Image 3I: Petalwort
Source: Dr David Holyoak
Image 3m: Aerial view of Dawlish
Warren
Source: EEMP
7KHVKRUHVDQGPXGÀDWVDURXQG:DUUHQ3RLQWDUH
the main high tide roost for wading birds that use the
Estuary. They are also important for the nationally
important populations of Slavonian grebe and for large
congregations of sea ducks, divers, grebes and other bird
species.
The 204 hectare National Nature Reserve encompasses
a nationally important range of habitats and the plants and
animals that these support. Botanically it is an incredibly
ULFKDUHDZLWKVSHFLHVRISODQWVLQFOXGLQJWKHUDUH
(DUO\0HDGRZ*UDVVDQGWKH:DUUHQ&URFXV7KHVLWH
also supports over 2000 different species of invertebrates
LQFOXGLQJWKH5XGG\'DUWHUDQG+DLU\GUDJRQÀLHVDQG
the Scarlet and Jersey Tiger moths. In total 583 different
VSHFLHVRIÀRZHULQJSODQWVKDYHEHHQUHFRUGHGDQGRYHU
VSHFLHVRIIXQJL$VZHOODVEHLQJELRORJLFDOO\ULFKDQG
diverse the double sand spit at Dawlish is also recognised
for its archaeological and historical value.
State of the Exe Estuary 2014 | 41
Natural and Historic Environment
([H(VWXDU\5DPVDU6LWHLQFOXGLQJ'DZOLVK:DUUHQ
$UHD&RYHUHG 2345.71 hectares
Image 3n: Exminster marshes
Source: Michelle Wilkinson
Reason for Designation: In 1992 the Exe Estuary
was listed as a Ramsar site under the International
&RQYHQWLRQRQ:HWODQGVRI,QWHUQDWLRQDO,PSRUWDQFH
VLJQHGLQ5DPVDU,UDQ7KHFRQYHQWLRQUHTXLUHV
governments to protect wetlands and to encourage the
wise use of wetland areas. Unlike other designations
ZKLFKIRFXVRQSUHVHUYLQJDVSHFL¿FVSHFLHVLQD5DPVDU
site it is the whole ecosystem or ‘wildlife community’ that
is protected. The Ramsar designation on the Exe Estuary
encompasses the waters, foreshore, low-lying land and
WKUHHRIWKHPDUVKDUHDV([PLQVWHU%RZOLQJ*UHHQ DQG&O\VW
Exmouth Local Nature Reserve
$UHD&RYHUHG 218 hectares
Reason for Designation: The estuarine section of the
Exmouth LNR is a good site to observe evidence of
natural regeneration and ecological succession. The tidal
PXGÀDWVDUHKLJKO\SURGXFWLYHDQGWKHHHOJUDVVEHGVDQG
LQYHUWHEUDWHVOLYLQJLQWKHPXGÀDWVSURYLGHDULFKIRRG
source for the bird populations. The large eelgrass Zostera
noltii beds are particularly notable. A nationally rare bristle
worm Ophelia bicornis can also be found on the reserve.
Image 3o: Exmouth Local Nature
Reserve
6RXUFH'6,)&$ 42 | State of the Exe Estuary 2014
Natural and Historic Environment
Exeter
Clyst St Mary
Topsham
Ebford
Exminster
Woodbury
Exton
Kennford
Lympstone
Barracks
Kenn
Lympstone
Kenton
Budleigh
Salterton
Exmouth
Starcross
Cockwood
Dawlish
Warren
Dawlish
The English Channel
Teignmouth
0 0.5 1
2
3
Kilometers
Extent of figures 3d - 3e
Key
Settlements
Land
Tidal Water
EEMP boundary
Extent of Figures 3di and 3dii (boundaries of SPA,
Ramsar site and SSSIs)
Extent of Figure 3diii (boundary of Exmouth LNR)
Extent of Figure 3e (boundaries of Dawlish
Warren SSSI, SAC, LNR and NNR)
Figure 3c: Geographic extent of the areas described in Figures 3d-3e.
Source: DCC 2014 and OS 2014
© Crown copyright. All rights reserved.
100019783. 2014
State of the Exe Estuary 2014 | 43
Natural and Historic Environment
Exeter
i
i
Exeter
Exmouth
Exmouth
Dawlish
Figure 3di: Boundaries of the Exe Estuary SPA and
Ramsar site
Dawlish
Figure 3dii: Boundaries of SSSIs on the Exe Estuary
Key
Exe Estuary Ramsar site and SPA (Figure 3di)
Dawlish Warren SSSI (Figure 3dii and 3e)
i
Lym pston e
Sand
Exe Estuary SSSI (Figure 3dii)
Exmouth LNR (Figure 3diii)
Settlements
Land
Cockle San d
Inter Tidal Zone
Tidal Water
EEMP boundary
Exmouth
Bull Hi ll
Bank
Figure 3diii: Boundary of the Exmouth LNR
Figure 3d: Designated sites on the Exe Estuary (please see Fig. 3e for Dawlish warren)
Source: DCC 2014 and OS 2014 background mapping. NE 2014 data.
44 | State of the Exe Estuary 2014
© Crown copyright. All rights reserved.
100019783. 2014
Natural and Historic Environment
Eastdon
i
Bull Hi ll
Bank
Cockwood
Dawlish Warren NNR
Pole San d
D
rre
Wa
h
lis
aw
R
n LN
Dawlish Warren SAC
Dawlish Warren
0
Key
Designated sites associated with Dawlish Warren
Dawlish Warren SAC
Dawlish Warren SSSI
Dawlish Warren NNR
0.25
0.5
Kilometers
Buildings
Tidal Water
Railway, roads,
tracks and paths
Inter Tidal Zone
Land
Dawlish Warren LNR
Figure 3e: Extent of Dawlish Warren SAC, SSSI, NNR and LNR
Source: DCC 2014 and OS 2014 background mapping. NE 2014 data
© Crown copyright. All rights reserved.
100019783. 2014
State of the Exe Estuary 2014 | 45
Natural and Historic Environment
:KRLV5HVSRQVLEOHIRUWKH'HVLJQDWLRQV"
All competent authorities have a duty to protect and, where possible, enhance the SPA and the SSSI.
Natural England is responsible for providing nature conservation advice to the regulating organisations;
these organisations may include the Marine Management Organisation, the Local Authorities and the Devon
DQG6HYHUQ,QVKRUH)LVKHULHVDQG&RQVHUYDWLRQ$XWKRULW\,QFDVHVZKHUHDOLFHQVHRUSHUPLWIURPDQRWKHU
organisation is not required, Natural England is the consenting organisation for activities or development within
the protected site.
Natural England is also responsible for enforcing laws that protect the wildlife and the natural environment. The
SULPDU\OHJLVODWLRQSURWHFWLQJZLOGOLIHDQGKDELWDWVLQ(QJODQGDQG:DOHVLVWKH:LOGOLIHDQG&RXQWU\VLGH$FW
)RULQVWDQFHWKH6LWHVRI6SHFLDO6FLHQWL¿F,QWHUHVW666,VLQ(QJODQGDQG:DOHVDUHOHJDOO\SURWHFWHG
under Section 28 of the Act.
6HFWLRQ32IIHQFHVRIWKH:LOGOLIHDQG&RXQWU\VLGH$FWDVDPHQGHGVWDWHVWKDWDSHUVRQ
who without reasonable excuse:
DLQWHQWLRQDOO\RUUHFNOHVVO\GHVWUR\VRUGDPDJHVDQ\RIWKHÀRUDIDXQDRUJHRORJLFDORU
physiographical features by reason of which land is of special interest, or intentionally or recklessly
disturbs any of those fauna, and
ENQHZWKDWZKDWKHGHVWUR\HGGDPDJHGRUGLVWXUEHGZDVZLWKLQDVLWHRIVSHFLDOVFLHQWL¿FLQWHUHVW
LVJXLOW\RIDQRIIHQFHDQGLVOLDEOHRQVXPPDU\FRQYLFWLRQWRD¿QHQRWH[FHHGLQJ…RURQ
FRQYLFWLRQRQLQGLFWPHQWWRD¿QH
And
$DLQWHQWLRQDOO\RUUHFNOHVVO\GHVWUR\VRUGDPDJHVDQ\RIWKHÀRUDIDXQDRUJHRORJLFDORU
SK\VLRJUDSKLFDOIHDWXUHVE\UHDVRQRIZKLFKDVLWHRIVSHFLDOVFLHQWL¿FLQWHUHVWLVRIVSHFLDOLQWHUHVWRU
E intentionally or recklessly disturbs any of those fauna, is guilty of an offence and is liable on
VXPPDU\FRQYLFWLRQWRD¿QHQRWH[FHHGLQJOHYHORQWKHVWDQGDUGVFDOH
_6WDWHRIWKH([H(VWXDU\
Natural and Historic Environment
State of the Exe Estuary and Designated Areas
7KHFRQGLWLRQRI6LWHVRI6FLHQWL¿F,QWHUHVW666,6SHFLDO$UHDVRI&RQVHUYDWLRQ6$&
DQG6SHFLDO3URWHFWLRQ$UHDV63$LQ(QJODQGLVDVVHVVHGE\1DWXUDO(QJODQGDVSDUWRID
six year cycle. This is one of Natural England’s statutory duties. The condition assessment
LVDQH[SHUWMXGJHPHQWRQWKHFRQGLWLRQRIHLWKHUDVLWHIHDWXUHRUDSDUWLFXODUVLWHXQLW
based upon the best information available at the time. This information can be biological,
chemical or physical in nature.
It is important that Natural England monitors the condition of a designated site to better understand how
existing management practices are contributing to site condition and provide advice and support to the relevant
owners/occupiers and stakeholders if necessary.
The criteria which Natural England uses for its condition assessments are described in the Favourable
&RQGLWLRQ7DEOHV)&7V7KHVL[FRQGLWLRQFDWHJRULHVDUH
‡
Favourable condition
‡
Unfavourable recovering condition
‡
Unfavourable no-change condition
‡
Unfavourable declining condition
‡
Part destroyed condition
‡
Destroyed condition
7KH)&7VDUHVLWHVSHFL¿FWRJHWKHUZLWKWKH&LWDWLRQLHUHDVRQVIRUGHVLJQDWLRQDQGDOLVWRI2SHUDWLRQV
5HTXLULQJ1DWXUDO(QJODQG&RQVHQW251(&V7KHVHGRFXPHQWVDUHDYDLODEOHDWWKH1DWXUDO(QJODQG
Website:
http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/information_for/sssi_owners_and_occupiers/default.aspx
1DWXUDO(QJODQG¶Vµ&RQVHUYDWLRQ$GYLFH¶IRUWKH(XURSHDQ0DULQH6LWHDOVRVHWVRXWWKHFRQVHUYDWLRQREMHFWLYHV
of the designated features and provides a framework for the assessment of the site’s features and to inform the
sustainable management of the marine protected area.
Figure 3f shows the condition of the Exe Estuary and Dawlish Warren SSSIs according to the most recent
condition assessment conducted by Natural England between 2008 and 2010. Reasons for unfavourable
recovering/declining condition include the non-understood decline of some wintering birds across the sites
and the presence of coastal defence structures at Dawlish Warren, which impede the active geomorphological
SURFHVVHVRIWKHVDQGGXQHVRQWKHIRUHVKRUHKRZHYHUVLWHFRQGLWLRQKDVLPSURYHGDFURVVVRPHXQLWVVLQFH
WKHSUHYLRXVDVVHVVPHQWFRPSOHWHGLQ7KHVHIDLOXUHVRIIHUVWDWXWRU\DXWKRULWLHVWKHRSSRUWXQLW\WR
recognise and address the problems in order to improve their condition.
State of the Exe Estuary 2014 | 47
Natural and Historic Environment
i
Exeter
Clyst St Mary
Topsham
Ebford
Exminster
Exton
Kennford
Lympstone
Barracks
Kenn
Lympstone
Kenton
Exmouth
Starcross
Cockwood
Dawlish
Warren
0
Dawlish
Key
0.5
1
2
Kilometers
SSSIs conditions in 2010
Settlements
Exe Estuary SSSI
Land
Dawlish Warren SSSI
Inter Tidal Zone
Favourable
Unfavourable recovering
Unfavourable declining
Tidal Water
EEMP boundary
Figure 3f: Condition of the Exe Estuary and Dawlish Warren SSSIs
Source: DCC 2014 and OS 2014 background mapping.
NE 2014 data.
48 | State of the Exe Estuary 2014
© Crown copyright. All rights reserved.
100019783. 2014
Natural and Historic Environment
:KHUHWR2EWDLQ&RQVHQWIRU3URMHFWVRQWKH([H(VWXDU\
7KH63$DQGWKH6$&GHVLJQDWLRQVVHUYHWRSURWHFWWKHPLJUDWRU\ZDGLQJELUGVDQGWKHKDELWDWVWKDWVXSSRUW
WKHP7KHUHJXODWLRQVDOVRUHTXLUH1DWXUDO(QJODQGWREHFRQVXOWHGRYHUDQ\µSODQVRUSURMHFWV¶ZLWKLQWKH63$
In addition a marine licence is likely to be required from the Marine Management Organisation for any works
EHORZWKHPHDQKLJKZDWHUVSULQJVPDUNLQYROYLQJDGHSRVLWRUUHPRYDORIDVXEVWDQFHRUREMHFWIRUH[DPSOH
dredging or general development construction.
,ILWLVFRQVLGHUHGE\WKHGHFLGLQJERG\WKHFRPSHWHQWDXWKRULW\WKDWDSURSRVDOFRXOGKDYHDVLJQL¿FDQWHIIHFW
on the SPA an initial assessment needs to be undertaken to determine the potential level of impact. If the
DVVHVVPHQWFRQFOXGHVWKDWWKHLQWHJULW\RIWKH63$VLWHZLOOEHDIIHFWHGWKHSODQRUSURMHFWFDQQRWSURFHHG
XQOHVVWKHUHLVDQRYHUULGLQJSXEOLFLQWHUHVWVXFKDVKHDOWKDQGVDIHW\DQGWKHSURYLVLRQRIFRPSHQVDWLRQ
It is also the responsibility of the people using the area to ensure it is protected by following all appropriate
guidelines and processes when proposing development which may affect the protected area.
If you are uncertain about the consents that may be required for any proposal, contact Natural England or the
Marine Management Organisation for advice at an early stage. These organisations aim to provide clear advice
on any proposal within Marine Protected Areas.
)XOOGHWDLOVRQ8.SURWHFWHGVLWHVFDQEHIRXQGRQWKH-1&&ZHEVLWHDWwww.jncc.defra.gov.uk
State of the Exe Estuary 2014 | 49