The coastal strip is enhanced and restored to safeguard key habitats that protect rare and vulnerable species and space is created for coastal retreat as habitat is lost to erosion and sea level rise.
Dorset’s coastal habitats include cliffs, rocky shore, saltmarsh, sand dunes, shingle and sandy beaches, intertidal habitat and seagrass meadows. The priority is to restore coastal habitats to good condition, allow dynamic processes to take place and buffer from future pressures such as erosion, sea level rise, tourism, recreation and industry.
The coastal strip should be protected and enhanced to safeguard the important species and ecosystems that depend on it. Restoration of historical coastal habitats, such as oyster reefs, that were destroyed by over exploitation a long time ago is particularly important.
Poole, Christchurch, Portland, Weymouth harbours and The Fleet are significant water bodies hosting wide assemblages of biodiversity in their mudflats, saltmarsh and shallow waters. Protection and recovery of nature in these harbours is closely linked to nature’s recovery along the river catchments that flow into them. Opportunities through flood defence and coastal work should ensure nature recovery is embedded in any design or works from the start.
The coastal strip should be protected and enhanced to safeguard the important species and ecosystems that depend on it. Restoration of historical coastal habitats, such as oyster reefs, that were destroyed by over exploitation a long time ago is particularly important.
Poole, Christchurch, Portland, Weymouth harbours and The Fleet are significant water bodies hosting wide assemblages of biodiversity in their mudflats, saltmarsh and shallow waters. Protection and recovery of nature in these harbours is closely linked to nature’s recovery along the river catchments that flow into them. Opportunities through flood defence and coastal work should ensure nature recovery is embedded in any design or works from the start.
Nature recovery in action
The Environment Agency, RSPB and Natural England are working together to adapt approximately 150 hectares of the moors at Arne into a diverse wetland habitat. With sea levels rising, important habitat for wildlife all around Poole Harbour could be lost over the next 30 years. Where rising waters press against fixed sea defences ‘coastal squeeze’ occurs, this means a loss of inter-tidal features such as mudflats and salt marsh. New places for coastalwildlife will need to be created to keep the natural features of the lost landscape, whilst flood risk to homes and businesses from the sea continues to be managed.
Potential activities
See what activities people can carry out to help achieve this priority. These activities are a guide and are not exhaustive, as there are many small activities involved in habitat management and restoring ecosystems.The activities and Dorset’s nature recovery maps provide a starting point, but additional land management and ecological advice will often be needed to support activities on individual sites.