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Habitat
Action Plans
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Saltmarsh
Habitat
Saltmarsh is a highly productive habitat, 95% of which occurs within
estuaries. It is a transitional habitat between sand and mudflat
areas on the lower marsh, to brackish or freshwater marsh or dune
vegetation on the higher reaches. Saltmarsh tends to develop on sheltered
coasts where there is protection from strong wave action, and may
be inundated at frequent to occasional intervals.
Saltmarsh is closely interrelated with other coastal habitats and
therefore management should be undertaken in a comprehensive manner.
Much of
this is of botanical interest and supports a varied invertebrate
fauna, many of which are GB Red Data Book species and are restricted
to saltmarsh.
The area of saltmarsh in this country has already been drastically
reduced as a result of agriculture and industry. Some relict communities
may occur as isolated pockets on reclaimed land and in commercial
brinefields. Due to the importance of this habitat, a large proportion
is notified
as SSSI and also receives protection under the Ramsar Convention.
Current Status
This habitat type is widely distributed around the UK, covering an
area of approximately 45000ha. The distribution of this habitat is
fairly localised, with ten sites accounting for 60% of the total
resource.
Saltmarsh is a rare habitat type in the Tees Valley, occupying just
26.5ha. On Teesmouth the extent of land reclamation has reduced this
transitional habitat to little more than narrow belts of halophytic
(salt-loving) plants in some areas. Some areas do receive protection
through being within industrial land holdings and are therefore less
subject to disturbance by man at present, although they may be at
risk of development in the future.
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Brackish Water-Crowfoot,
Ranunculus baudotii |
Saltmarsh on the Greatham Site
The accompanying
map (PDF) shows the areas of saltmarsh
on the Greatham site. Saltmarsh is only found around the saline pools
next to the sea wall. These pools are affected by tidal influences.
These areas of saltmarsh are within the local SSSI and SPA which extend
on to the Greatham site. They have been included in these statutory
designations, as well as being protected as a Ramsar site, due to their
rarity and the fact they support Red Data Book Species and specialist
species restricted only to saltmarsh. The saltmarsh on the Greatham
site supports Brackish water-crowfoot, which is included in the ‘Scarce
Plants in Britain’ list. Several Species of Glasswort (Salicornia)
are also present in saltmarsh on the site.
Current Factors Affecting the Habitat Nationally
- Global warming which is causing ‘coastal squeeze’ – due
to rising sea levels and maintenance of sea defences. This results
in both upper and lower edges of saltmarsh habitat.
- Industrial development
resulting in loss of upper saltmarsh and transitional communities.
- Pollution, especially from oil, and any clean-up operations.
- Reclamation
of land.
Key Saltmarsh Species on the Greatham Site
| Flora |
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| Sea Aster |
Local BAP Species |
| Thrift |
Local BAP Species |
| Common Scurvy Grass |
Local BAP Species |
| Sea Arrow-grass |
Local BAP Species |
| Sea Couch-grass |
Local BAP Species |
| Sea Hard-grass |
Local BAP Species |
| Saltmarsh Grasses |
Local BAP Species, characteristic of this kind of habitat.
2 species found on Greatham site, reflexed saltmarsh grass and
common saltmarsh grass. |
| Brackish water- crowfoot |
This species is in the Joint Nature Conservation Committee’s ‘Scarce
Plants in Britain’ book, and occurs on the Greatham site. |
| Glasswort |
Several species of Glasswort (Salicornia), are found
on site. This is an important saltmarsh plant. |
| Fauna |
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| Redshank |
Breeds on site. Local and UK BAP Species. Breeds in
internationally important numbers locally. Red Data Book Species. |
| Snipe |
Local and UK BAP Species. Resident on site and fairly
common. |
| Yellow Wagtail |
Local and UK BAP Species. Resident on site. Feed on
saltmarsh and may possibly nest. |
| Lapwing |
Breeds on site, Local and UK BAP Species. |
| Common Tern |
Breeds on site in saltmarsh habitat. Teesmouth has the
largest breeding population of Common Terns on the East coast between
Lincolnshire and Scotland. |
| Shelduck |
Breeds on site. Local and UK BAP Species. |
| Shoveler |
Breeds on site. Local and UK BAP Species. Red Data Book
Species. |
| Dog’s Tooth Moth |
Found on Greatham site on saltmarsh habitat. |
| Narrow-bordered five-spot burnet moth |
Found on Greatham site on saltmarsh habitat. |
Current Action
Minimal at present, although the areas of saltmarsh around the River
Tees receive some protection as a large proportion is adjacent to industrial
premises. This is the case on the Greatham site, with the saltmarsh
also being protected as SSSI and SPA.
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Thrift, Armeria maritima,
on the Greatham site.
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Local Objectives
- Maintain and enhance the area and quality of saltmarsh
and its constituent communities.
- Prevent further habitat loss to
land claim and reverse poor habitat management.
- Protect all existing
areas of saltmarsh.
- Create new areas of saltmarsh through managed
retreat.
Management Plan for Saltmarsh on Greatham Site
- Ensure that, as far as possible, there is no loss of current saltmarsh
habitat on the Greatham site.
- Continue monitoring of key habitat species, to assess population
size and distribution. Species Action Plans for Key Saltmarsh Species
have been included.
- Ensure that, as far as possible, coastal
defence or development works avoid any disruption of coastal or
other natural processes,
which might lead to the loss of saltmarsh.
Action Plans for Key Species
The key species for saltmarsh habitat,
for which a Species Action plan has been produced, is:
This species will act as an ‘indicator species’ for this
habitat to determine its status and any positive effects of the management
plans.
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