The largest coastal re-alignment in Europe - occurred in Essex
surveyed using the National vegetation Classification (NVC). This represents a community classified
as SM9 Suaeda maritima salt-marsh community (Rodwell 2000). This is a species-poor community
generally open and dominated by Suaeda maritima. Suaeda is an annual and tolerant of a wide
range of soil types subject to various submersion regimes. Similarly with Salicornia spp. its growth
appears to be dependent upon sediment nutrients, especially nitrogen and is characteristic of open
situations free of competition from established perennials. It is anticipated thai as the perennial salt
tolerant species colonise and take hold that the annual species will be more restricted by competition.
Conclusion
The surveillance of the vegetation and the communities colonising the inter-tidal habitat at Abbotts
Hall will be an excellent opportunity to observe the flora and associated fauna over the next few
years. The impressive demonstration of coastal re-alignmcnt at Abbotts Hall will provide the equivalent
of about 2 years contribution to the Biodiversity ActionPlan (BAP) target for replacement Saltmarsh
habitat. Bearing in mind the complexities of the Abbotts Hall project it makes us realise just how
difficult it will be to find new realignment sites and keep up with the Saltmarsh BAP target over the
coming years.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank John Hall for comments made to an earlier draft.
References
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ENGLISH NATURE (1995) RAMSAR citation for Blackwater Estuary. English Nature.
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HUGHES, R. (2002) Climate change and loss of salt marshes: Consequences for birds.
LONG, S P. & MASON, C.F. (1983) Saltmarsh ecology. Blackie.
RODWELL, J. S. (ed) (2000) British plant communities, volume 5, Maritime communities and vegetation
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Essex Naturalist (New Series) 20 (2003)