14th October 2024
As important as restoring the biodiversity of our land, is restoring the biodiversity of our coasts. In particular this can include restoring wetland areas which can receive the varying inflow of water, whether tidal or flooding from rivers. These are liminal areas which can support a diversity of plants, birds, animals and sea creatures – many of which are only to be found in these areas of water flow and retreat.
Salt marshes are wetlands that are regularly inundated by sea water, of which WWT Stewart Marshes in Somerset is an example. Steart Marshes are part of an ongoing rewilding project that aims “to recreate natural wetland features that would protect the area against flooding, restore biodiversity, provide a place for people to enjoy nature and mitigate for climate change. The area has already attracted otters, egrets, owls and spoonbills, as well as providing grazing for locally produced saltmarsh lamb and beef.” (1)
In the Thames Estuary another rewilding project has been evolving. “RSPB Wallasea Island is a stunning landscape of marshland, lagoons, ditches and sea. The landscape has been restored through a managed realignment project. This ambitious project used more than three million tonnes of earth from the tunnels and shafts created by the Crossrail project in London. The material has allowed the project to create a new 115 ha intertidal area of saltmarsh, mudflats and islands. This has created an important habitat for a wide range of species – from plants, to birds and invertebrates. The whole area now supports an abundance of species rich habitat. Grazing animals on site provide an income stream to the farmer. The project offers guided walks and nature trails, and this increase in visitors has benefitted local shops. (2)
- https://www.wwt.org.uk/discover-wetlands/wetlands/saltmarsh/
- https://www.rewildingbritain.org.uk/rewilding-projects/wallasea-island
The Green Tau 