2010 04 The Severn Estuary European Marine Site – Christine Marsh
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The document summarizes information about the Severn Estuary European Marine Site, including: 1) It describes the estuary's special features like habitats (mud flats, salt meadows, etc.), fish species (lamprey, shad), and waterfowl (swans, geese, ducks). 2) It provides an overview of the estuary's designation as a Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area, and Ramsar site due to these features. 3) It explains the Association of Severn Estuary Relevant Authorities (ASERA) was established to manage the site and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
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2010 04 The Severn Estuary European Marine Site – Christine Marsh
- 1. ASERAASSOCIATION OF SEVERN ESTUARY RELEVANT AUTHORITIES The Severn Estuary European Marine Site Christine Marsh ASERA Implementation Officer Source of photo: Monmouthshire County Council
- 2. UK Marine Protected Areas The Severn Estuary’s special features Habitats; Estuaries, Atlantic salt meadows, intertidal mud and sand flats, reefs, saltmarsh, shingle and rocky shore Fish species; Allis and Twaite Shad, Eel, River and Sea Lamprey, Waterfowl; Bewicks Swan, Redshank, Dunlin, Shelduck, European white- fronted Goose, Gadwall,
- 4. SAC Features • Estuaries • Subtidal sandbanks • Mudflats & sandflats • Atlantic Saltmeadow • Reefs • River Lamprey • Sea Lamprey • Twaite Shad SPA Features • Bewicks Swan • European White Fronted Goose • Wintering Dunlin • Wintering Redshank • Wintering Shelduck • Wintering Gadwall • Internationally important assemblage of waterfowl Ramsar Features • Estuaries • Assemblage of migratory fish species • Bewicks Swan • European White Fronted Goose • Dunlin • Redshank • Shelduck • Gadwall • Internationally important assemblage of waterfowl
- 5. • Physical, chemical and biological processes (geomorphology and ecology) • second largest tidal range in the world • millions of tonnes of sediment in suspension and highly mobile sand and mud banks moved around the estuary by the tide and storms. • Wide variety of habitats and species all dependant on and/or driven by these natural processes. Estuaries Source of photo: Natural England Source of photo: Natural England
- 6. Sub-tidal sandbanks (sand banks slightly covered by sea water all of the time) • Permanently submerged soft sediments in shallow <20m water - both banks and channels • Severn has gravelly & clean sands and muddy sands – 7 biotopes identified, in places up to 20m thick deposits • Some are highly mobile and changing banks due to extreme tidal conditions • Most mobile have restricted species due to dynamic nature of sediments • Important in terms of representing this habitat across the UK and Europe – Severn is the only coastal plain estuary selected in the UK and one of only two sites with a variable and low salinity regime Source of photo: Natural England
- 7. Reefs Reefs built by Sabellaria alveolata - the honeycomb worm Make tubes from sand particles - large numbers produce distinctive honey comb colonies which can be ca 30cm high. Each opening is a tube that contains one of these worms. The worms when covered by the tide will poke out their tentacled head to feed In the Severn these occur both in the subtidal areas and intertidal areas - those in the subtidal are the designated “reef” feature Source of photo: Natural England
- 8. Intertidal mud and sand • These make up the largest area of habitat in the Severn Estuary. The transition from sand, through muddy sand to mud, typical of coastal plain estuaries is only found in part of the Severn. • The mud and sand in the estuary is generally highly mobile, although parts of the estuary are relatively stable. • Movement of sediment is accompanied by the many specialised animals such as snails, shrimps and ragworms that live just beneath the surface • Whilst the range of species in these habitats is often low in places some species can occur in large numbers and provide an important food source for fish and feeding sites for breeding, wintering and passage birds within the estuary. • Intertidal zone plays an important role in protecting the shoreline by reducing wave energy. Source of photo: Natural England
- 9. Supporting cast Other habitats & species that are Intrinsic parts of the over-arching estuary feature: • Atlantic saltmeadow • Rocky shores • Reedbeds & swamps • Transition grasslands • Invertebrates • Vascular plants • Fish All are features of the underpinning SSSIs - we need to take account of them in defining the conservation requirements of the estuary Source of photo: Natural England
- 10. Waterfowl; ducks, geese, swans, waders Unless otherwise stated, photos sourced: Dominic Heard Wigeon (Anas penelope) Gadwall (Anas strepera) Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) Bewicks swan (Cygnus columbianus) Source : Natural England Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) Tufted duck (Aythya fuligula)Redshank Dunlin Source : ASERA Source : ASERA
- 11. Fish species • 3 species of migratory fish for which the Severn is specifically designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) – Twaite shad – River lamprey – Sea lamprey • All use the estuary as a route to and from spawning sites • All use neighbouring rivers, such as the Usk, Wye and Severn, to spawn • Further 4 significant migratory species, Allis shad, salmon, sea trout and eel – important in context of the over arching estuary feature • Wider community of over 100 species recorded in the Severn • The estuary supports 36 of 41 British estuarine species Source of photo: Natural England
- 13. The object of the Association of Severn Estuary Relevant Authorities is to establish and maintain in being, a management scheme for the Severn Estuary European Marine Site under which the functions of the relevant authorities shall be exercised so as to secure in relation to that site compliance with the requirements of The Conservation of Habitats & Species Regulations 2010 (as amended) which transpose the Habitats and Birds Directives into law in Great Britain. Source of photo: Monmouthshire County Council
- 14. ASERA’s Progress so far with the management scheme…
- 15. • Finalising the new scheme of management • Producing specific action plans for relevant authorities to implement the management scheme • Producing guidance notes as required for certain activities • Updating the reporting process for relevant authorities • Establishing a monitoring programme for the activities and features in the European marine site Relevant Authority activities in the Severn Estuary; Recreation; Airborne sports, Land based recreation, Water based recreation, Events/Festivals, Wildfowling . Angling; Angling (recreational), Bait digging, Eel and elver fishing, Fishing. Boating and shipping; Anchoring , Boat repairs , Moorings, Navigation. Port activities; Commercial shipping/cargo operations, Discharge/exchange of water ballast, Lock- gate & dock water mgt, Maintenance dredging, Port waste management (inc ship generated waste). Land management; Agricultural run-off, Beach cleaning, Grazing, Habitat creation and restoration, Release of contamination through historic industry, Barrage and sluice operation . Water management; Excavation, Water channel maintenance, Coastal protection and flood defence improvement and maintenance works. Infrastructure; Estate & Highways discharge, Cable laying & maintenance, Pipeline and Outfall maintenance, Property & estate maintenance. Education; Collection of scientific data, Archaeology (studies & protection), Educational field trips. Planning; Emergency planning , Managing What next for ASERA…. Source of photo: Monmouthshire County Council
- 16. Source of photo: Natural England Christine Marsh ASERA Implementation Officer Email: marshc3@cardiff.ac.uk Web: http://www.severnestuary.net/asera Ringed Plover
Editor's Notes
- The UK has many marine protected areas, the Severn Estuary is one of the many marine protected areas around the uk. Its special features include a diverse range of habitats, migratory fish species, waterfowl and migratory birds.
- The estuary has numerous designations at different levels. It is a European marine site and forms part of the Natura 2000 network. The designated features of the Severn Estuary; International Level RAMSAR Wetlands of International Importance European Level SPA Special Protection Area (Birds and their Habitats) SAC Special Area of Conservation (Habitats and Species – other than birds. E.g. Fish) National UK Level SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest (Habitats, Species, Geology)
- There are similar and overlapping features of the estuary which can be found between the designations.
- As I mentioned in my earlier slides, the Severn estuary is a designated SAC, SPA and Ramsar site for its important features. The estuary itself is very important; with the second highest tidal range in the world - its unique environment of fast currents and moving sediments create habitats for many benthic fauna species – the worms and shells that live in the mud and that feed the birds and fish! The Severn Estuary is extremely important at this time of year when birds from around the world come to visit and shelter from the harsh winters in their home country. The Bewick Swan from Russia is an annual visitor to the Severn and many will start arriving at the Newport wetland centre for the winter.
- Sub tidal sand banks are covered by water at high tides. The Severn Estuary has extensive sand banks which provide a valuable resource for the aggregate extraction industry.
- Sabellaria reefs are extremely protected. Their presence has been known to halt wind farm developments across the uk coast. At high tide, the reefs built by Sabellaria worms create wonderful habitats for fish and crustacean species - as well as acting as a good food source for birds at low tide. If the visibility and tidal conditions were less intense – these areas of reef would make wonderful dive sites – equivalent to those found in warmer waters.
- The mud may appear to be unattractive and lifeless, but it is in fact one of the richest habitats on the shores of the estuary. The transition from sand at the low water line, to muddy sand in the intertidal zone…and marsh ground at the high water line means that the intertidal zone receives a rich influx of nutrients and organic matter at each tidal cycle. These feed and provide a habitat for all the benthic flora and fauna which support those species higher up in the food chain.
- The wide variety of habitats in the Severn estuary – as well as the flora and fauna that they support, attract a wide range of bird species to the estuary. The Bewicks swan is a protected species under Annex 1 of the Birds Directive – it is increasingly threatened by loss of habitat and man&apos;s activities, and with significant numbers in the UK, it is also on RSPB’s Amber List. European White Fronted Goose, Dunlin, Redshank, Shelduck and Gadwall are all regularly occurring migratory species on the estuary. Other species such as the Spotted Redshank, Curlew, Whimbrel, Grey Plover, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Pintail, Teal and Wigeon are internationally important assemblages.
- The Severn estuary and its tributaries are an important area for migratory fish, such as river and sea lamprey, allows passage to 3 of the 4 confirmed breeding sites for twaite shad in the UK. The Severn holds the highest recorded number of fish species for an estuary in Britain, acting as an important nursery for juvenile fish and supporting economically important salmon fisheries. It is also the most important estuary in Britain for eels.
- ASERA is the Association of Severn Estuary Relevant Authorities, it consists of port and harbour authorities, local authorities, national nature conservation agencies, the Environment Agency and water and drainage boards on both sides of the estuary in England and Wales.
- Under Regulations 36 & 37 of the 2010 Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations, the RA’s may establish a management scheme for a European marine site. ASERA was formed in 2003 to help the relevant authorities prepare, implement and update the management scheme for the European marine site. To date ASERA has proven to be an efficient and cost effective way of discharging the shared responsibilities of the relevant authorities to prepare the management scheme.
- All the activities by the Association’s relevant authorities have been identified and reviewed in order to identify their impacts. ASERA is in the process of finalising the new scheme of management which will include specific actions plans for relevant authorities so that they can implement the management scheme. We are also starting to prepare sector specific action plans and guidance notes in respect of particular activities that have proven that this is necessary. ASERA is now finalising the new scheme of management embracing the SPA, SAC and Ramsar Site and their features. We have been following a project plan to complete this process and the aim is to go out to consultation in the new year. We have also reviewed the process for reporting on the implementation of the management scheme and for reporting changes to activities, as we are aware that the previous process was at times very difficult to follow.
- Thank you