Embedded Files
7: Coastal
7: Coastal
Discover the specialized biodiversity of Sidmouth’s coastline. Learn about Phase 1 coastal classifications, from maritime cliffs to the unique flora of shingle beaches.
Coastal habitats are where the land meets the sea, shaped by a constant interplay of marine, terrestrial, and climatic forces. These areas are more than just scenic; they provide essential ecosystem services, acting as natural defences against erosion and flooding while supporting specialized biodiversity.
Common Coastal Habitat Types
Under the Phase 1 Classification system, coastal environments are divided by their physical structure and the vegetation they support:
Saltmarsh (SM): Intertidal wetlands with salt-tolerant plants, typically found in sheltered areas. They are vital for carbon storage and bird habitats.
Sand Dunes (SD): Wind-blown sand accumulations stabilized by hardy plants like marram grass.
Shingle and Pebble Beaches (SH): Dynamic environments of pebbles and cobbles that provide nesting sites and support specialized flora.
Rocky Shores (RS): Hard substrates like boulders and cliffs exposed to the tides, home to limpets, barnacles, and seaweeds.
Maritime Cliffs and Slopes (MC): Steep land forms shaped by erosion that host salt-tolerant vegetation and nesting seabirds.
The Sidmouth Coast: A Hostile Beauty
The Sidmouth coastline is predominantly composed of shingle and pebble beaches backed by a wall of towering sandstone maritime cliffs.
A Challenging Environment
The local coastal ecology is defined by its difficulty:
Moving Ground: The shingle beach is constantly shifted by the tides, making it difficult for life to take root.
Hostile Cliffs: The sheer cliffs are subject to constant erosion and rockfalls, making them unstable and hostile for most plants and wildlife.
Artificial Reefs: Large granite blocks imported for sea defences have created a "simulated" rocky shore, though these have not yet fully naturalised.
Local Wildlife Successes
Despite these challenges, the coast is far from empty. The upper beach, away from the primary tide, supports a profile of specially adapted flora. The area also serves as a vital resting place for birds, with flocks of over 200 Herring Gulls frequently recorded.
Before you go
Before you go
The High-Water Mark Hunt
The High-Water Mark Hunt
The "High-Water Mark" is the boundary where the daily tide stops and the terrestrial world begins. It is the best place to find coastal specialists.
Spot the "Strandline" Specialists: Look at the very top of the shingle beach. Can you find plants with thick, fleshy, or waxy leaves? These are adaptations to store water and survive salt spray.
The Sea Defense Survey: Examine the granite sea defenses. Can you see any barnacles or seaweeds beginning to colonize these "man-made" rocky shores?
Bird Watching: Look for resting gulls. Can you identify the Herring Gull? They use these open beaches as safe roosting spots away from land-based predators.
Reflection: Coastal habitats are under threat from sea-level rise and human development. Looking at Sidmouth’s seafront, can you see where "coastal squeeze" might happen—where the habitat is trapped between a rising sea and the town's buildings?
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse