Case study for salt marshes

Question 1

What is the case study of a salt marsh?

Answer 1

Keyhaven Salt Marsh, West solvent in Southern Hampshire.
Forms the eastern end of Christchurch Bay and extends 4km across the solvent to Hurst castle.
East of Bournemouth

Question 2

What happened to the salt marsh?

Answer 2

• The marsh had subsided under the weight of the shingle, reducing the height of the spit
• The marsh has become exposed on the sea side of the spit leading to rapid erosion

Question 3

What is being done to protect the salt marsh?

Answer 3

• The Shoreline management plan (SMP)- 1998
• 550 Meters of rock armor was created to protect the western end where it joins Milford beach
• The spit was nourished with 300,000 m^3 of shingle
• A 100 meter rock revetment was built at the eastern end of the spit
• Has become an SSSI and a Wetlands RAMSAR site covered under European law

Question 4

Why is the keyhaven salt marsh important?

Answer 4

• Important for fisheries/shell fisheries
• Creates unique habitats
• Acts as a coastal defense
• Traps and binds sediment in the process of creating land
• Barrier of flooding
• Tourism
• Home of the rare plant Spartina

Question 5

Why is the Keyhaven salt marsh under threat?

Answer 5

• Increased storm surge activity
• changing temperatures in rainfall patterns
• Reclamation, less space for the waves energy to dissipate
• Industrial/Commercial used create pollution
• Tourists trampling over salt marsh
• Hurst castle receiving less sediment via LSD

Question 6

What is a case study for Sand Dunes

Answer 6

The studland Bay, just north of Swanage