BCM Environs update,
March 2011
Wetland Strategy
The Sefton Coast is a nationally and internationally important
area of sand dune habitats which constitutes some 20% of the total
area of such habitats in England. Within these sand dune habitats
are numerous and various areas of dune slack habitat.
The Sefton Coast is exceptionally important for these dune slack
habitats, as it incorporates some 40% of the dune slack resource
of England. Equally, the coast is very important for the specialist
plant and animal species which are dependent on dune slack habitats,
such as Natterjack Toad, (Epidalea calamita), and Petalwort,
(Petalophyllum ralfsii).
However, this resource, (and the key species associated with it),
is under threat due to environmental change.
The central section of the coastline is eroding; although the areas
to the north and south are currently accreting, Formby Point has
been eroding since the end of the 19th century. This erosion continues
at an average of up to 4.5 m / year, centred on Formby Point itself
and extending over some 5 km of sand dune coastline.
Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, (SMBC), has predicted that,
factoring in climate change, future coastal change could result
in erosion of up 680 m over the next 100 years at Formby Point,
with impacts on the habitats and a valued community landscape provided
by the sand dunes.
These studies have used current erosion rates and predicted sea
level rise and indicate that up to 265 ha of dune habitats on this
part of the coast could be lost to coastal erosion over the next
hundred years. Whilst this loss would impact on a range of habitats
it would have a particularly significant impact on dune slacks.
It is predicted that some 19%? of the existing slacks will be lost
due to coastal erosion during this period.
Groundwater levels will also be affected by climate change. It
is predicted that there will be a general lowering of the water
table allied with changes in the patterns of fluctuation of groundwater
levels. In addition, changes in temperature patterns associated
with climate change will also have an impact.
Thus, coastal erosion is squeezing the sand dune habitats, and
in particular dune slacks, in the horizontal dimension, whilst water
table deterioration and variation is squeezing dune slacks in the
vertical dimension. These processes cause or exacerbate geomorphological
and ecological changes, which in turn changes the value of dune
slack habitats for a wide range of species.
As well as these factors, changes in pedology and water chemistry
may also be significant variables.
All of these processes involve rapid and radical environmental change,
and therefore, it is anticipated that the future management of dune
slacks under these circumstances will be difficult.
It may be that some of the key features associated with dune slacks,
(and therefore some of the characteristic species of plant and animal
associated with them), cannot be maintained in the long term.
Therefore, when an opportunity arose to apply for DEFRA funding
from the Pathfinder initiative in relation to adapting to coastal
change, as was launched by Hilary Benn, the then Secretary of State
in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in June
2009, SMBC submitted an application for a range of actions, including
the development of a dune slack strategy. This bid was successful.
Subsequently, BCMESL was awarded this prestigious work, which is
currently being undertaken. It is anticipated that the final report
will:
- Incorporate an overview of what is happening in the wider context,
in particular covering NW Europe, (France, Belgium, Netherlands),
as this is where the main knowledge lies. For example, a copy
of the final draft of the EU 'management model' for humid dunes
slacks was provided by John Houston, although it was noted that
this management model document summarises the position a few years
ago. Since then there has been a considerable amount of work especially
on dune/poldertransitions, (the zone on the Sefton Coast between
the dunes and the mossland);
- Use a risk-based approach as far as practicable, involving developing
a series of scenarios which incorporate the constants, (factors
that cannot be changed, such as climate), and the variables, (e.g.,
how much erosion / accretion take place where and when; water
table quantity and quality, etc.). It was anticipated
that this approach would provide management options for which
the consequences are clearly known, so that the land-holding managers
would then have the necessary information to make informed management
choices. As such, this approach is very different from the ‘prescriptive
approach’ of, for example, the most recent Natterjack Toad
Strategy;
- Describe, (and, as far as practicable, prescribe), a vision
for dune wetlands in the future. As such, it the Wetland Strategy
will necessarily have to accommodate the issues associated with
climate change and coastal change;
- Adhere to the ‘Problem, Reason, Objectives, Measures,
Monitoring and Execution’, (PROMME), approach, which was
considered to be a very useful one for preparing management schemes
such as this. For example, it was used during the development
of the Nature Conservation Strategy. Simplistically, approach
this can be paraphrased as ‘only acting when you have thought
through the reasons’, etc.;
- Cross-reference to the Nature Conservation Strategy and, in
particular, its long term vision;
- Involve, (necessitate), a move away from the often less than
successful micro-managing habitats for what are perceived to be
the specific requirements of individual species. It was commented
that the Sefton Coast Partnership now needs to appreciate this
and move away from the ‘species gardening approach’
in the longer term, although it was acknowledged that this could
take 20 years or more to achieve. However, it was considered that
to not at least start the move away from previous approaches now
will limit future opportunities to provide, and indeed improve,
suitable habitats for the widest range of species. It was generally
considered that too often management activities have concentrated
on short-term measures aimed at improving, for example, the breeding
habitats of particular species, excavating pools for Natterjack
Toads being a prime example. Indeed, it was indicated that the
findings of the Lawton Report "Making Space for Nature"
which coincided with the consultation process with the focus group,
adopted this thinking when developing recommendations for ecological
networks and functioning ecosystems;
- Utilise the wealth of good experience which now exists with
regard to certain management approaches and use this as far as
practicable in this instance. For example, members of the ‘focus
group’ commented that there is now a lot of knowledge on
the various merits of grazing, (which, in summary, maintains all
species if areas are large enough), and of mowing, (which, in
summary, can maintain larger populations of rare species), and
also noted that evidence is available from several good monitoring
projects;
- Facilitate the day-to-day work of the managers of various land-holdings
on the Sefton Coast, (and indeed elsewhere), by providing a framework
within which they can make land management decisions relating
to their land-holding with due regard to the system, (e.g.,
the dune aquifer and the overall dune wetland resource), as a
whole. It was generally considered that the land-holding managers
were well able to undertake specific practical measures aimed
at managing, (elements of), the habitat requirements of specific
species. However, it was suggested that if the Wetland Strategy
merely consisted of a series of proposed actions telling the various
organisations what needs doing where a significant opportunity
for a far more strategic document would have been missed;
- Provide a mechanism for the review of the outcomes of the strategy,
(i.e., the implemented recommendations);
- Incorporate implementation programmes which should be implemented
and reviewed in synchronisation with the commensurate reviews
of both the Coastal Defence Strategy and the Coastal Adaptation
Strategy;
- Accommodate management measures which include adaptation. For
example, it was noted that in Wales allowing more large-scale
blowouts to create new wet slack habitat was currently being considered;
- Define gaps in the available knowledge base; although there
is a wealth of available information, it was considered that the
Wetland Strategy should clearly identify instances where more
monitoring, etc., is required. For example, it was acknowledged
that in terms of available information, in some instances there
was a lack of adequately detailed information which might necessitate
decisions being made on the basis of (incomplete) trend information.
Although this was again considered to be a very good reason to
utilise the risk-based approach it was stressed that such gaps
should, if possible be filled. As an example of this, it was noted
that although the hydrological modelling studies conducted by
Derek Clark et al. provide a substantive basis for guidance
on the status of the hydrological regime of the dune system, other
aspects of the dune aquifer also need to be investigated. It was
noted that these include reducing landward drainage from the main
dune aquifer; not enough is known about the losses from eastwards
drainage and what options there might be to raise water levels;
and,
- Make the most of the timely opportunity. It was commented that
there is currently considerable interest in the Sefton Coast wetlands
from Natural England ecologists, and particularly from Graham
Weaver. Therefore, it was considered that the timing of this study
is good.
BCMESL has recently been commissioned by Sefton Metropolitan
Borough Council to prepare the basis’s for appropriate assessment
of 3 different proposed cycle routes within the borough.
The initial scheme involved a route between the Ainsdale and Birkdale
areas of Sefton. This involved with the preparation of the Basis
for an Appropriate Assessment of the Birkdale-Ainsdale Cycle Route
entailed visiting the site, collating all available data, liaising
with the project team including representatives of the Council Coast
and Countryside Service, the Cycletown team and the preferred contractor
for such works, and then preparing a full appropriate assessment
in accordance with the Habitat Regulations.
The proposed route comprises an existing desire line through the
dune system from its landward margins to the Coastal Road. The purpose
of the cycle route was not just to improve cycle route provision
within this part of the borough and to therefore remove the need
for cyclists to use the existing cycle route alongside the busy
Coastal Road; in addition, it was intended to facilitate access
into the dunes for all ability users. The dunes are designated as
part of the Sefton Coast SSSI, the Sefton Coast Special Area of
Conservation and the Ribble and Alt Estuaries Ramsar site as well
as being part of the Ainsdale and Birkdale Sandhills LNR. The sand
dune habitats involved support a wealth of important wildlife, including
species such as Great Crested Newt, Petalwort, Natterjack Toad,
Sand Lizard and Dune Helleborine. The assessment considered recent
NVC survey data, and also species specific survey data for the key
species and concluded that the there would be no adverse effect
on either the habitats or species associated with that part of the
designated site through which the cycle route was to be constructed,
used and maintained. Further, the assessment concluded that, the
use of the existing route, suitable construction materials, (propriety
interlocking geotextile grids such as NetPave), and appropriate
construction approaches, would reduce the potential effects of the
construction and operation of the cycle route such that they would
be negligible. Finally, the cycle route is within part of the designated
site that is in unfavourable condition, and where, for this reason
large-scale clearance and grazing schemes are planned. Unfortunately,
although supported by Natural England, this cycle route scheme is
currently on hold due to local government cutbacks.
Figure 5.6.3.2, Natterjack Toad records and dune
slacks

Subsequently, the company has prepared two further basis’s
for an appropriate assessment for other cycle routes within the
borough. These schemes were broadly similar to the Birkdale –
Ainsdale Cycle route in terms of their purpose, and further, the
preparation of the required assessments involved a similar work-scope.
One was for a cycle route alongside the Liverpool – Southport
railway to the south of Ainsdale. As with the Birkdale – Ainsdale
one, the proposed route comprises an existing route through the
dune system from an existing footpath linking part of Ainsdale with
footbridge over the railway at one end to an access road within
the Ainsdale Dunes NNR at the other. In doing so it uses an existing
underpass underneath the Coastal Road. The route also incorporates
a spur linking the main north –south alignment alongside railway
with the existing cycle route alongside the Coastal Road. The work
involved preparing the Basis for an Appropriate Assessment
of the Ainsdale Link Cycle Route. This scheme involves
a route through another part of the same designated site as the
Birkdale – Ainsdale one and thus it involved an assessment
of likely effects on similar key habitats and species. Used the
same approach, and the same sources of data and again concluded
that the there would be no adverse effect on either the habitats
or species associated with that part of the designated site through
which the cycle route was to be constructed, used and maintained.
Further, the assessment concluded that, the use of the existing
route, suitable construction materials and techniques, (including,
for example, propriety materials such as interlocking geotextile
grids such as NetPave and a raised section of timber bridge), and
appropriate construction approaches, would reduce the potential
effects of the construction and operation of the cycle route such
that they would be negligible.
The other scheme was for a cycle route immediately alongside the
road and entirely with the curtilage of the road embankment between
the former village of Marshside, and the Coastal Road that now separates
the outer and inner coastal marshes. This was part of a wider scale
project and therefore the work involved preparing the Basis
for an Appropriate Assessment of the Re-connecting Marshside with
its Coastal Heritage Cycle Route. The grazing marshes alongside
the road causeway are designated as part of the Ribble Marshes SSSI,
the Ribble and Alt Estuaries Special Protection Area and Ramsar
site as well as being part of the Marshside RSPB Reserve. The grazing
marsh and adjacent habitats involved support a wealth of important
wildlife, in particular a wide range of wintering waterfowl species,
but also breeding bird species such as Lapwing, as well as for other
animal species such as Natterjack Toad, Water Vole and Brown Hare.
The assessment used recent WeBS data to demonstrate that those parts
of the designated site through which the cycle route was to be constructed,
used and maintained was of limited importance for the key bird species
detailed in the SPA and Ramsar Citations, at least in the early
part of the wintering period during which it was intended to undertake
the construction. The assessment also used species specific survey
and other data for the key non-avian species, and similarly it was
demonstrated that known populations where somewhat removed from
the areas involved or would be otherwise unaffected. The assessment
concluded that, due to use of the existing route and appropriate
construction approaches, all reduced the potential effects of the
construction and operation of the cycle route such that they would
be negligible. Importantly, this proposition was supported by the
RSPB Ribble Estuary Sites Manager, who was able to provide vital
information relating to the existing responses of the key bird species
to use of the road causeway by existing users.
Of these projects the Re-connecting Marshside with its Coastal
Heritage Cycle Route has been implemented, the Ainsdale Link Cycle
Route, (now referred to as the Ainsdale Link Path), is being pursued,
(and an EIA for this project was also prepared by BCMESL), whilst
the Birkdale – Ainsdale route has temporarily been postponed.
For further examples of work completed
by BCM Environmental Services Limited see Appropriate Assessments
/ Habitat Regulations Assessment
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