Coastal Pressure Studland Peninsula Flashcards
Why is Studland a Crowded Coast?
It is a 5km long sandy peninsula.
Behind the beach is a biodiverse heathland containing the richest 1000 hectares of wildflowers in the UK, as well as an acidic freshwater lake called Little Sea.
Studland is home to all six of the UK’s native reptile species.
Studland is accessible from Poole and Bournemouth via the £3.80 Sandbanks Ferry.
Studland has natural resources (e.g. Wycht Farm in Studland is UK’s largest on-shore oil field).
Studland Bay is on the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coastline and home to anSSSI (site of special scientific interest)
Coastal erosion
The southern half of Studland’s peninsula is losing 1m a year to coastal erosion.
The northern half of Studland’s peninsula is gaining 1.5m a year via deposition of sediment.
This is a consequence of longshore drift.
Coastal Management
National Trust have adopted a policy of managed retreat to avoid disruption to the coast’sdynamic equilibrium.
There has been minor repair of existing defences such as Studland’s gabions.
There has also been minor soft engineering, such as the planting of marram grass in front of beach huts to encourage sand dunes to develop (acting as a natural defence against erosion).
How has Studland developed economically?
Studland is a honeypot site that receives 1.5m visitors and as many as 25,000 on a peak weekend.
The National Trust employs 56 people full time and up to 120 in the Summer.
The National Trust supplies its cafe using local suppliers such as Purbeck Icecream – this creates a multiplier effect.
Many tenant businesses use the beach, such as Studland Stables and Boat/Canoe Hire companies.
Studland has 4 car parks that bring revenue for the National Trust.
Studland has 300 beach huts, many of which are rented out by the National Trust for £890 per year.
Studland is home to Wytch Farm Oil Field that employs 440 people and produces 15,000 barrels a day.
Pressure at Wytch Farm Oil Field
Producing 15,000 barrels a day and being the UK’s largest on-shore oil field has the potential to cause noise pollution, ruin the natural scenery, and disrupt residents/tourists.
Pressure firees
In April 2010, a fire destroyed 10 hectares of heathland killing many reptiles. Fires are a major risk due to tourists that barbecue.
SOlutions to pressure fires
National Trust has created special zone for barbecues away from flammable heathland and has adopted signage to discourage barbecues in places outside of that zone.
Pressure from litter
On busy weekends around 4,500kg of litter can be left in Studland.
Solutions to litter
Staff will spend 3 hours on busy weekends emptying bins.
Staff have placed more bins along footpaths to prevent illegal litter.
Pressures from traffic congestion
Over 90% of visitors travel by car, resulting in congestion and illegal parking.
Solutions for traffic congestion
Capacity of car parks increased by 800 spaces
National Trust encouraging people to use Sandbanks ferry over driving
Marine Habitat damage
Seagrass meadows are scraped up by boat anchors. Seagrass is a vital habitat for Spiny-tailed Seahorses (vulnerable according to ICUN Red List).
