Black Water Estuary— ICZM

Question 1

Why were sea walls built at black water estuary originally? And what did this lead to?

Answer 1

To protect farmers fields from recession
Les to coastal squeeze of salt marsh environments

Question 2

What is coastal squeeze?

Answer 2

As sea levels rose the salt marsh was gradually eroded and migrates land wards however the sea wall stopped this migration resulting in the destruction of the salt marsh ecosystem

Question 3

How does the salt marsh ecosystem act as a coastal defence?

Answer 3

Absorbs water as it moves into the marshes, this slows flooding and reduces floorings impact

Question 4

What policy decision was taken at black water estuary and how was this implemented?

Answer 4

Managed realignment
2000– Essex wildlife trust purchased abbots hall farm
Realigned 4000ha of land, introducing new marshland by creating breaches in the sea walls

Question 5

Describe how there were no losers from this managed realignment?

Answer 5

Farmers received market value for land
High cost of hold the line avoided
New reed beds filter + clean water
New paths + walkways for leisure
Additional ecotourism income
Dunlin + goose + bass + herring nursery habitat enhanced
Promotes both economic + environmental sustainability