Natural Environment

This thread provides an overview of the geology of the Sidmouth area in East Devon, focusing on the different rock formations present and their origins. It highlights the area's diverse geological history, spanning from the Permian to the Cretaceous periods, and emphasises the significance of the coastal exposures for understanding Earth's ancient past. It also delves into specific formations like the Otter Sandstone, Sidmouth Mudstone, and Upper Greensand, detailing their characteristics, depositional environments, and fossils. Additionally, it touches upon the importance of coastal shingle in coastal protection and its role as a habitat for wildlife.

This thread is the first in a series of three that explores the significance of habitat in understanding nature. It presents a discussion about why and how habitat, and nature reserves in particular, have to be managed rather than be left to "go wild"! Conservation activities can be controversial, especially for those who do not appreciate why there is a need for habitat management.

The second in the series of threads exploring the concept of 'habitat'. The articles in the thread consider what a habitat actually is, how animals and plants find their 'niche' habitat and the forms or 'classes' of habitat that can be encountered and some of the features and wildlife of each class. 

The third and final thread in the series about habitat explores in more detail the primary habitat types, specifically the six primary habitats found in the Sidmouth area. The articles in the thread explain how to identify different habitat types using plant species as indicators and describes the characteristics of each habitat type.

Third significant influence on the natural environment is the effect of the changing seasons. As the seasons change so does the day length, the average temperature and the type of weather that usually prevails. In this thread we take a look at the natural world in Sidmouth through each of the four seasons.

If your interest in nature , and Sidmouth nature in particular, is new and you would like informal guidance about to develop your observation and identification skills and develop a wider knowledge of this fascinating and absorbing  subject then you may find this topic and its threads of particular help  in getting you started along the path to fulfilled enjoyment from the natural world around you here in our lovely part of the country .