SHOREHAM BEACH LOCAL
NATURE RESERVE
Coastal Geography Education
Programme 2014-15
© S. Savage 2014
COASTAL GEOGRAPHY OPPORTUNITIES
Shoreham Beach
Shoreham Beach is a shingle spit formed over many centuries by longshore
drift and the cutting action of the river Adur that has slowly been diverted
east by coastal processes resulting in its current position. Shoreham Beach,
was designated a nature reserve in 2006 and provides excellent
opportunities for first hand study of the dynamic coastal processes that
shape our coastline and some of the challenges this represents. The current
shingle spit can be studies as well as historical records of the forming of the
shingle spit and the sea defences.
Shingle Beach
The shingle beach at Shoreham is made up mainly of flint pebbles in various
forms and stages of erosion. This is also the case with many of our beaches
in West Sussex. These pebbles have made a fascinating journey starting with
their creation in the Cretaceous period and many were washed from the
eroding chalk during the end of the last ice age when melt water created
the river valleys we know today. Some of the flint has eroded from the chalk
more recently. Historically, some non-flint pebbles used as ship ballast by
vessels from other countries have been deposited by vessels outside the
harbour and these also became part of the beach.
Shingle as a sea defence
Single is one of the most affective sea defences as the pebbles absorb the
force of the wave energy as it is released when it hits the shore. The
downside to shingle is that it is very mobile and keeping it in one place and
to the right amount posses many challenges
At Shoreham, visiting schools can study the shingle beach, coastal
processes, the beach physical make up and sea defences past and present.
Students can measure the beach profile and consider defending the beach
which comprises houses and rare vegetated shingle habitat. The affects of
global issues such as climate change, sea level rise and increased storms can
also be considered as well as the issue of coastal squeeze.
Students are encouraged to consider coastal protection techniques
including both soft and hard engineering. These include beach nourishment
(much of which is dredged from the seabed or beach recycling, removing
materials from an accreting beach and returned to a beach from which it
has been transported by longshore drift.
They will also be encouraged to consider other strategies such as managed
retreat.
SHOREHAM BEACH VEGETATED SHINGLE HABITAT
Shoreham is unique in that it has a large area of rare vegetated shingle and
was established as a nature reserve to protect and enhance this rare habitat.
Students are able to study the vegetated shingle habitat and the wildlife it
supports.
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Students will be able to undertake plant transect surveys to examine the
plant communities and their adaptations in relation to where they are found
on the shore.
Alternatively, plant transect surveys can be undertaken to examine the
problem of invasive species on the nature reserve and suggest possible
solutions. Students will also be able to examine the terrestrial animal
communities that vegetated shingle support.
We are also looking into the possibility to give over a small section of the
nature reserve for secondary school students to study and monitor which
will also provide useful data that will contribute towards the management
of the nature reserve. Please contact us if you would like to know more
[email protected]
SHOREHAM BEACH LOCAL NATURE RESERVE
The students can also study the role of the nature reserve and the
challenges of balancing the protection of a rare and valuable natural
habitat with public access and human activities. Marine protected areas
result in sites that are pleasant and enjoyable and naturally attract the
public and sea leisure users who wish to undertake their pursuit in a safe,
clean and attractive location.
Our education programme also has links with the US via the National
Oceanic Atmospheric Association. Due to a great increase in recreational
users they are currently investigating the challenges of sustainable
recreation in US marine protected areas as a model. Raising awareness of
the importance and fragility of the site, through informal and formal
education, are a key part of this.
Students can also consider the affects of global issues such as
climate change and how they might impact on Shoreham Beach.
OTHER COASTAL EXAMPLES
Similar processes that created Shoreham Beach also created the sand
dunes at the West Beach Local Nature Reserve – the building of the pier
at the mouth of the river Arun. Such changes can also impact human
activities such as harbours, ship navigation and other maritime activity.
The river Ouse, currently entering the sea at Newhaven once flowed to
Seaford which was an important seaport in the middle ages until a
severe storm in the 16th Century which breached the shingle bar and
created a new entrance at what is now Newhaven. The construction of
the breakwater at the mouth of Newhaven Harbour in 20th Century
prevented sand from replenishing the sand in Seaford's beaches.
At Shoreham we also have a fascinating intertidal area just inside the mouth
of the harbour. Students can explore this unusual habitat, a mixture of
estuary sediment, sand and man-made constructions allowing an
interesting mix of sandy beach and rocky beach wildlife to inhabit this
beach.
For further information about the geography opportunities at
Shoreham Beach Local Nature Reserve contact education
coordinator Stephen Savage at [email protected]
Website http://www.fosbeach.com/education-on-shorehambeach/
For more information about our programme on environmental
issues such as climate change and marine debris please email
Stephen Savage and ask for the Ocean Literacy programme.