Blackwater Estiary Salt Marsh Flashcards
How big is the salt marsh?
1000ha
Where does the salt marsh rank?
5th largest in the UK
What do salt marshes provide for wading birds and wildfowl?
High tide refuge and winter feeding grounds
What do salt marshes provide for commercially important fish and shellfish species?
Nurseries
How have sea levels risen for the last 10,000 years?
At a rate of 300mm per century for the past 10,000 years
Why are sea levels rising in Essex?
Due to global warming and isostatique readjustment
What are sea levels rising by in Essex?
4-6mm per year in Essex
What percentage of the salt marsh has been lost?
Il to 40% in the past 25 years
Why has some of the salt marsh been lost?
Due to coastal squeeze
What is coastal squeeze?
Sea water rises over the salt marshes and gets pinned up against the wall leading to deeper water which causes the erosion of salt marshes.