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