Restoring the UK’s coastal wetlands: past, present and future Seminar

Event details

Like many parts of the world the UK has experienced significant loss of its coastal wetlands. A significant proportion of these losses stem from man’s actions. Coastal reclamation, involving the enclosure of former intertidal areas with embankments and their conversion to terrestrial land, started in Roman times and has continued up to the present day. Today coastal habitats front approximately half of all sea defences in the UK and play an important role in reducing coastal flooding and erosion risks by trapping sediment and dissipating wave and tidal energy. Habitats also provide other ecosystem services such as carbon storage, water quality, fish nurseries, grazing, and recreational opportunities. Restoring coastal habitats can therefore play an important role in the management of coastal areas. This presentation will explain the risks to our remaining coastal habitats and the drivers for their protection and restoration. The presentation will focus on the most commonly used technique for coastal wetland restoration which is known as managed realignment. Examples will be drawn from the various schemes that have been undertaken around the UK over the last 26 years. These examples will be used to show the main elements of the schemes and the lessons that have been learned in their design. The gaps in scientific understanding and challenges that remain in the implementation of future schemes will be outlined.