Download ROCKY SHORES - Durham Biodiversity

HABITAT ACTION PLAN HABITAT ACTION PLAN
COASTAL & MARINE
ROCKY SHORES
What are ROCKY SHORES?
Rocky shores exist where the effect of waves on the
coast is mainly erosive. Softer rocks are worn down,
leaving harder rocks exposed. Rocky shores are the most
variable coastal habitat in the UK; their character
depends on the prevailing rock type and their profile is
usually related to strata formation. The habitat is
physically complex, with changes of slope and the
presence of rockpools, gullies, crevices and boulders
increasing the range of habitats and consequently the
number of species present. Because most of the substrate
is stable, it provides a secure surface for a variety of
organisms such as seaweeds, barnacles, mussels and
limpets. Most rocky shores are heavily populated by
wildlife.
The variable physical conditions, including light
availability, degree of exposure, changes in temperature
and salinity, aspect, substrate type and biotic features
lead to the development of a characteristic zonation of
species and habitats. The following zones can be
distinguished on rocky shores: the splash zone, the upper
(eulittoral), middle and lower (sublittoral) zones. The
middle shore generally has the greatest species diversity,
whilst the lower shore is most prolific. Conditions on
rocky shores are harsh; organisms have to be able to
survive rapidly to changing environmental conditions
and to be capable of rapid recolonisation.
Rocky shores are a dynamic and fascinating habitat that
is easily accessible for visiting and study. The presence of
rockpools provide an opportunity to view many species
of intertidal plants and animals in their natural habitat.
Where are they found in the UK?
Rocky shore can be found around the coast of the UK
and range from the wave exposed headlands of Atlantic
coasts to the sheltered algae covered shores of sea lochs.
Approximately 34% of the UK coastline comprises
rocky shores.
Why are rocky shores of CONSERVATION
IMPORTANCE?
Rocky shores are biologically rich in terms of the
number and variety of species they support. This high
Other action plans and statements covering
issues relevant to rocky shores:-
KELP BEDS***
MARITIME CLIFFS***
COASTAL LICHENS GENERIC
STATEMENT***
PURPLE SANDPIPER***
ROCK PIPIT*
CURLEW**
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CM4
COASTAL & MARINE
HABITAT ACTION PLAN HABITAT ACTION PLAN
ROCKY SHORES
species diversity is a consequence of the large number of
it is not yet known if this will lead to an increase in
ecological niches present. An environmental gradient
biotope diversity. There is already some evidence of a
that ranges from almost totally marine to almost
recently re-exposed rocky shore at Seaham being
completely terrestrial is present. They are also a
colonised by opportunistic algae, including
relatively natural habitat where the species and habitats
Enteromorpha.
are not practically managed for conservation in the
same way that many terrestrial habitats are. Rocky
shores are important for the opportunity they provide
for visitors to the coast to view marine life, and also for
educational purposes.
WHERE do they occur in the Durham area?
The coast of the Durham Plan area is dominated by
Carboniferous limestone, with vertical cliffs. Some of
these have wave cut platforms at their base, while in
Rocky shores however are also a vulnerable habitat. The
other areas, such as at Blackhall Rocks and Parton
physical conditions which prevail on a rocky shore
Rocks, there are rocky outcrops.
create an environment that is naturally harsh, but rocky
shores are also threatened by other factors, including
pollution, high recreational pressure and rising sea level.
The most frequently occurring biotope along the
Durham area coast consists of moderately exposed to
exposed rock characterised by dense populations of
barnacles Semibalanus balanoides and limpets Patella
ROCKY SHORES IN THE DURHAM AREA
What is the state of rocky shores in the
DURHAM AREA?
vulgaris. Cracks and crevices in the rocks provide a
refuge for mussels Mytilus edulis, winkles Littorina spp.
Where wave action is locally increased a mosaic of
bladder wrack (Fucus vesiculosus) barnacles, limpets and
mussels occur. Some areas of the coast, where the shore
In comparison with neighbouring areas, the rocky shores
has been badly affected by colliery waste, such as around
of the coast of the Durham area are relatively low in
Horden, are almost devoid of life. Parts of the shore here
diversity of flora and fauna, with fewer biotopes present.
are now showing signs of improvement with a few
The number of algal species varies between 10 and 60.
species of marine life present such as anemones, crabs
Elsewhere in the UK, the minimum is 68 and the
and starfish.
average is 90. There is, however, substantial variation
between different areas along the coast of Durham
which is due in part to the history of coal spoil
dumping.
At Blackhall Rocks, towards the southern end of the
area, the diversity of species and number of individuals
increases considerably with five different seaweed
species present, periwinkles, anemones, edible crabs,
From Trow Rocks south to Whitburn,and at Roker, the
shore crabs, common starfish and dog whelk as well as
outcropping Magnesian limestone gives rise to rocky
fish in rockpools including shannies and sticklebacks.
shores with interesting and varied wildlife. South of
Seaham, the most valuable area in terms of biodiversity
is at Blackhall Rocks.
Rockpools are encountered at all levels of the shore
along the coast of the DBAP area. Shallow pools lined
with either boulders, cobbles or bedrock and typically
The coastal limestone is highly erodible; consequently
characterised by coral weed (e.g. Corallina officinalis),
there is an elevated level of suspended solids and
pink coralline algae, red algae, green algae and juvenile
reduced species diversity. The effects of coal spoil
kelp. Barnacles, limpets and common periwinkles are
dumping include habitat loss, an increase in suspended
present. Deeper rockpools are characterised by similar
solids and chemical pollution. Undoubtedly, substantial
species, but with a greater frequency of kelp, green algae
areas of intertidal rocky shore have been lost as a result
and more typically sublittoral species such as dahlia sea
of the dumping of mine waste. As the amount of coal
anemone (Actinia equina) and common starfish (Asterias
spoil decreases, the area of rocky shore will increase but
rubens) and dogwhelk.
HABITAT ACTION PLAN HABITAT ACTION PLAN
COASTAL & MARINE
CM4
ROCKY SHORES
Large numbers of wintering waders use the rocky shores
along the coast of the DBAP area including golden
plover and curlew.
The stretches of rocky shores and their wildlife along
the coast of the DBAP area enjoy statutory protection
down to low water mark. Many parts of the coast are
designated as SSSI, including from Trow Point to
Whitburn Steel and Parsons Rocks. With the exception
of a small area, the SSSI includes includes the area from
the south of Sunderland to just north of Seaham,
including Pincushion Rocks and Featherbed Rocks.
Then, from south of Seaham down to Crimdon, the
coast is all included in the SSSI, with the exception of
Easington Colliery and small areas at Horden and north
of Blue House Gill. All of these areas, with the
exception of Parsons Rocks are included within the
candidate SAC which confers a higher level of
protection under the European Habitats Directive. Parts
of the coast (the cliffs and foreshore) between Trow
Point and Whitburn Steel form part of the Northumbria
Coast SPA and RAMSAR area. These designations
protect the shore habitat itself and the organisms living
there down to MLWM.
Rocky shores are at RISK from:
RECREATIONAL PRESSURES - trampling and the
collection of organisms for recreational purposes are
major threats for the wildlife of rocky shores. Large
numbers of tourists visiting in the holiday season
increase this pressure.
THE EFFECTS OF COAL SPOIL DUMPING AND ITS
SUBSEQUENT CLEARANCE - until 1993 coal spoil was
dumped on the beaches of County Durham leading to
increased concentration of solids and changed
topography of the shoreline.
POLLUTION- rocky shores are vulnerable to all types of
marine pollution, including oil discharges and spills and
the presence of toxic chemicals in seawater. Oil
smothers organisms living on rock surfaces and poisons
those living in rockpools. Only 3% of oil pollution
comes from shipping accidents; the majority originates
from deliberate tank washings and municipal waste.
Anti-fouling agents, used by some boat owners are
poisonous to marine life.
LITTER AND SEWAGE RELATED DEBRIS - site-specific
problems such as sewage discharge from outfall pipes and
litter left on beaches all have an adverse effect on rocky
shores
CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL - the sea level rise
that is predicted to occur as a consequence of climate
change will have a major impact on rocky shores with
the loss of entire communities of organisms.
COASTAL DEVELOPMENT - coastal development may
lead to both habitat creation and destruction for rocky
shores. Piers, jetties and outfalls may alter the intertidal
environment, but at the same time, may offer new sites
for colonisation. Sea defences alter the degree of
exposure of rocky shores and consequently will affect
the composition of the communities present.
Rocky shores BENEFIT from:
MEASURES TO MAINTAIN THEIR PHYSICAL AND
BIOLOGICAL INTEGRITY - including pollution control
and regulation, development control and the
establishment of contingency plans to be followed in the
event of a major pollution incident.
AN ESTABLISHED SURVEY AND MONITORING
PROGRAMME - to establish the current status of the
rocky shores in the DBAP area and to monitor the
effect of the clearance of coal spoil from the beaches.
RAISED PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THEIR ECOLOGICAL
VALUE AND VULNERABILITY - guided walks, events
and the provision of interpretation can all be used to
encourage responsible enjoyment of rocky shores.
MEASURES TO REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING AND SEA
LEVEL RISE - including community-wide initiatives such
as wise use of fossil fuels and usage of energy efficient
appliances.
Important SPECIES for rocky shores in the
Durham area:
GOLDEN PLOVER
REDSHANK
TURNSTONE
GULL SPECIES
OYSTERCATCHER
ROCKPOOL FLORA & FAUNA
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COASTAL & MARINE
HABITAT ACTION PLAN HABITAT ACTION PLAN
ROCKY SHORES
TARGETS
1
Maintain the current rocky shore
resource
with
its
biological
communities and seek to enhance it.
(ONGOING)
2
Maintain the free functioning of
physical coastal processes acting on
rocky shores.
(ONGOING)
3
4
Involve the local community in
practical
projects,
information
gathering and awareness raising events
such a guided walks. Organise at least
three events per annum along the
Plan’s coastline.
(2002)
5
Include contingencies for managing
rocky shores in local strategic plans
such as the ICZM Plan.
(2002)
Survey and monitor the wildlife of rocky
shores in the Durham plan area.
(ONGOING)
ACTION PLAN
ACTION
DATE
Possible PARTNERS
Meets TARGET No.
POLICY AND LEGISLATION
1.
Support the proposed SAC and SPA
designations for the coast of the
DBAP area.
2001
EN, DWT, DBAP, EDC,
STMBS, SCC, NT
1, 2
2.
Ensure that Shoreline Management
Plans allow natural processes to
continue in the interest of
biodiversity and geology.
ONGOING
STMBC, SCC, EDC,
DCC, DWT, DBAP, NT
1, 2
3.
Ensure that leisure and commercial
boat maintenance laws prevent
chemical pollution entering the
water.
ONGOING
EA, LAs
1
4.
Liaise with local authorities to
protect sensitive areas from
development.
ONGOING
SCC, EDC, DCC,
STMBC, DBAP, EN,
DWT
1
ONGOING
EN, NT, DBAP
1
SITE SAFEGUARD AND MANAGEMENT
5.
Ensure appropriate levels of
protection for designated areas SSSI, cSAC, SPA.
continued...
HABITAT ACTION PLAN HABITAT ACTION PLAN
COASTAL & MARINE
CM4
ROCKY SHORES
ACTION PLAN
ACTION
DATE
Possible PARTNERS
Meets TARGET No.
SITE SAFEGUARD AND MANAGEMENT continued
6.
Support local initiatives to reduce
minor pollution and litter.
ONGOING
STMBC, SCC, EDC,
NT, DBAP
7.
Encourage the use of ecologically
benign clean-up policies in
contingency plans for oil spills.
ONGOING
STMBC, SCC, EDC,
DCC, Fire Brigade,
DWT, Port and harbour
authorities, INCA
1, 2, 5
8.
Support measures to reduce the
impact of global warming.
ONGOING
LA21, ALL PARTNERS
1
9.
Seek to improve the quality of
coastal waters. Monitor discharges of
sewage and other pollutants. Seek to
reduce levels of marine pollution.
ONGOING
DEFRA, EA, NWL
10. Provide information and advice for
planning authorities and Crown
Commissioner with regard to
protection of the rocky foreshore and
its associated wildlife.
ONGOING
EN, DBAP, DWT
1
11. Incorporate the rocky shore habitat
into forthcoming Integrated Coastal
Zone Management Plan.
2002
ALL PARTNERS
1, 5
1
1, 5
ADVISORY
RESEARCH AND MONITORING
12. Continue to survey the wildlife of
the rocky shores along the DBAP
area. Support the work of
"Biodiversity Between the Tides".
ONGOING
Biodiversity Between the
Tides, NT, Dove Marine
Laboratory, EN
13. Monitor the effects of clearance of
coal spoil from the County Durham
coast.
ONGOING
EA, EN
1, 3
14. Identify and monitor the effects of
recreation and visitor usage,
particularly during the holiday
season.
2001
onwards
NT, SCC, EDC,
STMBC
1, 3
3
continued...
CM4
COASTAL & MARINE
HABITAT ACTION PLAN HABITAT ACTION PLAN
ROCKY SHORES
ACTION PLAN
ACTION
DATE
Possible PARTNERS
Meets TARGET No.
2002
CA, LAs
4
SCC, STMBC, EDC,
DCC, NT
4
LEAs, WATCH, DWT,
DBAP
4
COMMUNITY AND PUBLICITY
15. Prepare publicity information on the
ecology and protection of rocky
shores as part of integrated
coastal/marine interpretation
package.
16. Encourage understanding,
responsibility and appreciation of
rocky shores by means of organised
events e.g. rock pooling, guided
walks.
ONGOING
17. Encourage the use of rocky shores as
an educational resource for local
school and community groups.
2001