DOCSLIB.ORG

Pentland Firth Proposed Special Protection Area (Pspa) NO

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Pentland Firth Proposed Special Protection Area (Pspa) NO Pentland Firth Proposed Special Protection Area (pSPA) NO. UK9020317 SPA Site Selection Document: Summary of the scientific case for site selection Document version control Version and Amendments made and author Issued to and date date Version 1 Formal advice submitted to Marine Scotland on Marine Scotland draft SPA. 10/07/14 Nigel Buxton & Greg Mudge Version 2 Updated to reflect change in site status from Marine Scotland draft to proposed in preparation for possible 30/06/15 formal consultation. Shona Glen, Tim Walsh & Emma Philip Version 3 Updated with minor amendments to address Marine Scotland comments from Marine Scotland Science in 23/02/16 preparation for the SPA stakeholder workshop. Emma Philip Version 4 New site selection document drafted for Andrew Bachell, amended new site at Pentland Firth following Katie Gillham & decision to split the Pentland Firth and Scapa Greg Mudge Flow dSPA further to the SPA stakeholder 03/05/16 workshop. Kate Thompson & Emma Philip Version 5 Version control updated & bio-geographical Scientific populations added, references checked. Advisory Kate Thompson & Emma Philip Committee sub- group 05/05/16 Version 6 Updated to reflect comments received by SNH Management Scientific Advisory Committee sub-group. Team Emma Philip and Kate Thompson 18/05/16 Version 7 No revisions required further to Management Protected Areas Team consideration Committee 13/06/16 Version 8 Updated to include Arctic skua further to JNCC, approval from SNH Scientific Advisory Greg Mudge Committee sub-group and Protected Areas 20/06/16 Committee Final draft for JNCC MPA sub-group acknowledgment of joint advice. Emma Philip Version 9 Greg Mudge Emma Philip 22/6/16 Version 10 Final draft for approval Andrew Bachell Emma Philip 22/06/16 Version 11 Final version for submission to Marine Scotland Marine Scotland 24/06/16 Contents 1. Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1 2. Site summary ....................................................................................................... 2 3. Bird survey information ....................................................................................... 5 4. Assessment against the UK SPA Selection Guidelines .................................... 6 5. Site status and boundary .................................................................................. 10 6. Information on qualifying species .................................................................... 11 7. References .......................................................................................................... 16 Annex 1. Site map .................................................................................................. 19 Annex 2. Citation .................................................................................................... 20 1. Introduction This document provides Scottish Natural Heritage’s (SNH) and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) advice on the proposed classification of a Special Protection Area (SPA) in the marine waters of “Pentland Firth” for foraging areas for breeding Arctic tern, Arctic skua and aggregations of common guillemot. It summarises the evaluation for each of the species of interest according to the SPA site selection guidelines (JNCC, 1999) and provides an overview of how the site boundary was developed. Pentland Firth has been selected to provide protection to an important foraging area used by Arctic tern, falling within foraging range of the breeding colonies at Pentland Firth Islands SPA as well as 12 other colonies including Burray Haas and Glimps Holm. Pentland Firth also attracts large aggregations of guillemot during the breeding season as well as other seabirds, many of these will be associated with nearby breeding colonies including those at North Caithness Cliffs SPA, Copinsay SPA, Hoy SPA . During the breeding season Arctic tern, common guillemots and Arctic skua also contribute to an important assemblage of over 41,000 seabirds. The protection of this marine area will make a key contribution to the maintenance of these species in their natural range in UK marine waters and form part of a coherent network of sites at a European level. The importance of the marine environment for birds which spend all or part of their lives around our coasts is well recognised, particularly in Scotland. A total of 106 species of bird are thought to use UK marine waters of which 45 occur in numbers greater than fifty each year and are dependent on the marine environment for a large part of their lifecycle. All of these 45 species except one (black guillemot1) are considered rare or vulnerable bird species (Annex 1), or regularly occurring migratory species by the Birds Directive (EC Directive on the conservation of wild birds (amended) - 2009/147/EC). This means that all Member States are obliged to take account of the requirements of Article 4.1 of the Birds Directive for each of these 44 species. Article 4.1 states that “Member States shall classify in particular the most suitable territories in number and size as special protection areas for the conservation of these species, taking into account their protection requirements in the geographical sea and land area where this Directive applies”. EU guidance on the establishment of SPAs in the marine environment (2007) sets out the groups of marine birds for which SPAs should be considered in the marine environment. This includes sites for aggregations of seabirds and feeding areas for breeding terns, including those used by birds from existing terrestrial SPAs to ensure they have continued access to key food sources. 1 Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas were designated in August 2014 for black guillemot. 1 In the UK, whilst some coastal SPAs include marine waters below the Mean High Water Springs (MHWS) there are only four entirely marine SPAs classified; Outer Thames Estuary SPA (England), Liverpool Bay/Bae Lerpwl SPA (England/Wales) and Bae Caerfyrddin/Carmarthen Bay SPA (Wales) and Belfast Lough - Open Water SPA (Northern Ireland). In Scotland, 31 marine extensions to seabird colony SPAs have also been classified. The existing suite of sites is not considered sufficient to meet the requirements of Article 4.1 because it currently does not include suitable territories at sea for all of the species that the UK has a responsibility for. This site is being proposed as part of a suite of marine sites that aim to fulfil the requirements for SPAs in the marine environment for rare or vulnerable birds and regularly occurring migratory birds in the UK. As required by Article 4 of the Directive, the classification of this site will enable the application of special conservation measures concerning the habitat of Annex 1 and regularly occurring migratory birds in order to ensure their survival and reproduction in their area of distribution. Full details of the site survey methodologies, data and analysis used to inform the proposed selection of this site are provided in Kober et al (2010 & 2012) for common guillemot and Arctic skua and Wilson et al (2014) and Win et al (2014) for breeding Arctic tern. All scientific work received full external independent peer review at key stages throughout the process. Site selection documents have been reviewed by SNH Scientific Advisory Committee, Management Team and Protected Areas Committee as well as Marine Scotland Science. 2. Site summary The Pentland Firth proposed Special Protection Area (pSPA) (Figure 1) includes waters within the Pentland Firth between the north coast of Caithness and the south of Orkney Mainland and a contiguous area of the North Sea to the southeast. The area included within the pSPA supports a population of European importance of the following Annex 1 species: Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) It also supports regularly migratory populations of European importance of the following species: Common guillemot (Uria aalge) 2 Arctic skua (Stercocarius parasiticus)2 2 The Pentland Firth pSPA comprises in total an area of 973.25km . The Pentland Firth links the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea and is characterised by very strong tidal flows, with spring tide peaks of 4.5ms-1 in the Outer Sound between Swona and Stroma. Depths in the main channel are typically 60-80m but exceed 2 Named qualifier of a breeding seabird assemblage 2 90m in places with shallower waters extending around Stroma and in the vicinity of Swona and the Pentland Skerries. The strong tidal flows strongly influence seabed morphology and habitats, which include areas of bedrock and boulders scoured by coarse sediment and cobbles, with the sediment collecting in pockets and dusting some rock surfaces, and areas of shelly sand formed into waves (Moore 2010). Extensive areas of sandy/gravelly deposits in the eastern part of the pSPA support notable populations of scallops (Barne et al 1996; Chapman, 2004). The pSPA also encompasses spawning/nursery grounds for sandeels (Ellis et al 2012). Sandeels are small and nutritious fish of particular value to seabirds such as Arctic terns, guillemots and Arctic skua during their summer breeding seasons when chicks require abundant supplies of high energy food. Swona and the Pentland Skerries are important breeding sites for Arctic terns and there are large breeding colonies of guillemots adjacent to the pSPA in both Orkney and Caithness (Mitchell et al, 2004). Arctic skua also breeds on Orkney and Caithness close to the aggregations of auks and
Load more

Recommended publications
  • List of Lights Radio Aids and Fog Signals 2011
    PUB. 114 LIST OF LIGHTS RADIO AIDS AND FOG SIGNALS 2011 BRITISH ISLES, ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA IMPORTANT THIS PUBLICATION SHOULD BE CORRECTED EACH WEEK FROM THE NOTICE TO MARINERS Prepared and published by the NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY Bethesda, MD © COPYRIGHT 2011 BY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. NO COPYRIGHT CLAIMED UNDER TITLE 17 U.S.C. *7642014007536* NSN 7642014007536 NGA REF. NO. LLPUB114 LIST OF LIGHTS LIMITS NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY PREFACE The 2011 edition of Pub. 114, List of Lights, Radio Aids and Fog Signals for the British Isles, English Channel and North Sea, cancels the previous edition of Pub. 114. This edition contains information available to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) up to 2 April 2011, including Notice to Mariners No. 14 of 2011. A summary of corrections subsequent to the above date will be in Section II of the Notice to Mariners which announced the issuance of this publication. In the interval between new editions, corrective information affecting this publication will be published in the Notice to Mariners and must be applied in order to keep this publication current. Nothing in the manner of presentation of information in this publication or in the arrangement of material implies endorsement or acceptance by NGA in matters affecting the status and boundaries of States and Territories. RECORD OF CORRECTIONS PUBLISHED IN WEEKLY NOTICE TO MARINERS NOTICE TO MARINERS YEAR 2011 YEAR 2012 1........ 14........ 27........ 40........ 1........ 14........ 27........ 40........ 2........ 15........ 28........ 41........ 2........ 15........ 28........ 41........ 3........ 16........ 29........ 42........ 3........ 16........ 29........ 42........ 4.......
    [Show full text]
  • Habitats and Species Surveys in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters: Updated October 2016
    TOPIC SHEET NUMBER 34 V3 SOUTH RONALDSAY Along the eastern coast of the island at 30m the HABITATS AND SPECIES SURVEYS IN THE PENTLAND videos revealed a seabed of coarse sand and scoured rocky outcrops. The sand was inhabited FIRTH AND ORKNEY WATERS by echinoderms and crustaceans, while the rock was generally bare with sparse Alcyonium digitatum (Dead men’s fi nger) and numerous DUNCANSBY HEAD PAPA WESTRAY WESTRAY Echinus esculentus. Dense brittlestar beds were The seabed recorded to the south of Duncansby SANDAY found to the south. Further north at a depth Head is fl at bedrock with patches of sand, of 50 m the seabed took the form of a mosaic cobbles and boulders. The rock surface is quite ROUSAY MAINLAND STRONSAY of rippled sand, bedrock and boulders with bare other than dense patches of red algae, ORKNEY occasional hydroids and bryozoans. clumps of hydroids and dense brittlestar beds. SCAPA FLOW HOY COPINSAY SOUTH RONALDSAY PENTLAND FIRTH STROMA DUNCANSBY HEAD CAITHNESS VIDEO AND PHOTOGRAPH SITES IN SOUTHERN PART OF ANEMONES URTICINA FELINA ON TIDESWEPT SURVEYED AREA CIRCALITTORAL ROCK Introduction mussels off Copinsay, also found off Noss Head. An extensive coverage of loose-lying Data availability References Marine Scotland Science has been collecting red alga was found in the east of Scapa Flow video and photographic stills from the Pentland The biotope classifi cations and the underlying Moore, C.G. (2009). Preliminary assessment of the on muddy sand and sandeels were also found Firth and Orkney Islands as part of a wider video and images are all available through conservation importance of benthic epifaunal species off west Hoy.
    [Show full text]
  • Results of the Seabird 2000 Census – Great Skua
    July 2011 THE DATA AND MAPS PRESENTED IN THESE PAGES WAS INITIALLY PUBLISHED IN SEABIRD POPULATIONS OF BRITAIN AND IRELAND: RESULTS OF THE SEABIRD 2000 CENSUS (1998-2002). The full citation for the above publication is:- P. Ian Mitchell, Stephen F. Newton, Norman Ratcliffe and Timothy E. Dunn (Eds.). 2004. Seabird Populations of Britain and Ireland: results of the Seabird 2000 census (1998-2002). Published by T and A.D. Poyser, London. More information on the seabirds of Britain and Ireland can be accessed via http://www.jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1530. To find out more about JNCC visit http://www.jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1729. Table 1a Numbers of breeding Great Skuas (AOT) in Scotland and Ireland 1969–2002. Administrative area Operation Seafarer SCR Census Seabird 2000 Percentage Percentage or country (1969–70) (1985–88) (1998–2002) change since change since Seafarer SCR Shetland 2,968 5,447 6,846 131% 26% Orkney 88 2,0001 2,209 2410% 10% Western Isles– 19 113 345 1716% 205% Comhairle nan eilean Caithness 0 2 5 150% Sutherland 4 82 216 5300% 163% Ross & Cromarty 0 1 8 700% Lochaber 0 0 2 Argyll & Bute 0 0 3 Scotland Total 3,079 7,645 9,634 213% 26% Co. Mayo 0 0 1 Ireland Total 0 0 1 Britain and Ireland Total 3,079 7,645 9,635 213% 26% Note 1 Extrapolated from a count of 1,652 AOT in 1982 (Meek et al., 1985) using previous trend data (Furness, 1986) to estimate numbers in 1986 (see Lloyd et al., 1991).
    [Show full text]
  • Cruising the ISLANDS of ORKNEY
    Cruising THE ISLANDS OF ORKNEY his brief guide has been produced to help the cruising visitor create an enjoyable visit to TTour islands, it is by no means exhaustive and only mentions the main and generally obvious anchorages that can be found on charts. Some of the welcoming pubs, hotels and other attractions close to the harbour or mooring are suggested for your entertainment, however much more awaits to be explored afloat and many other delights can be discovered ashore. Each individual island that makes up the archipelago offers a different experience ashore and you should consult “Visit Orkney” and other local guides for information. Orkney waters, if treated with respect, should offer no worries for the experienced sailor and will present no greater problem than cruising elsewhere in the UK. Tides, although strong in some parts, are predictable and can be used to great advantage; passage making is a delight with the current in your favour but can present a challenge when against. The old cruising guides for Orkney waters preached doom for the seafarer who entered where “Dragons and Sea Serpents lie”. This hails from the days of little or no engine power aboard the average sailing vessel and the frequent lack of wind amongst tidal islands; admittedly a worrying combination when you’ve nothing but a scrap of canvas for power and a small anchor for brakes! Consult the charts, tidal guides and sailing directions and don’t be afraid to ask! You will find red “Visitor Mooring” buoys in various locations, these are removed annually over the winter and are well maintained and can cope with boats up to 20 tons (or more in settled weather).
    [Show full text]
  • Firth of Lorn Management Plan
    FIRTH OF LORN MARINE SAC OF LORN MARINE SAC FIRTH ARGYLL MARINE SPECIAL AREAS OF CONSERVATION FIRTH OF LORN MANA MARINE SPECIAL AREA OF CONSERVATION GEMENT PLAN MANAGEMENT PLAN CONTENTS Executive Summary 1. Introduction CONTENTS The Habitats Directive 1.1 Argyll Marine SAC Management Forum 1.2 Aims of the Management Plan 1.3 2. Site Overview Site Description 2.1 Reasons for Designation: Rocky Reef Habitat and Communities 2.2 3. Management Objectives Conservation Objectives 3.1 Sustainable Economic Development Objectives 3.2 4. Activities and Management Measures Management of Fishing Activities 4.1 Benthic Dredging 4.1.1 Benthic Trawling 4.1.2 Creel Fishing 4.1.3 Bottom Set Tangle Nets 4.1.4 Shellfish Diving 4.1.5 Management of Gathering and Harvesting 4.2 Shellfish and Bait Collection 4.2.1 Harvesting/Collection of Seaweed 4.2.2 Management of Aquaculture Activities 4.3 Finfish Farming 4.3.1 Shellfish Farming 4.3.2 FIRTH OF LORN Management of Recreation and Tourism Activities 4.4 Anchoring and Mooring 4.4.1 Scuba Diving 4.4.2 Charter Boat Operations 4.4.3 Management of Effluent Discharges/Dumping 4.5 Trade Effluent 4.5.1 CONTENTS Sewage Effluent 4.5.2 Marine Littering and Dumping 4.5.3 Management of Shipping and Boat Maintenance 4.6 Commercial Marine Traffic 4.6.1 Boat Hull Maintenance and Antifoulant Use 4.6.2 Management of Coastal Development/Land-Use 4.7 Coastal Development 4.7.1 Agriculture 4.7.2 Forestry 4.7.3 Management of Scientific Research 4.8 Scientific Research 4.8.1 5.
    [Show full text]
  • A Practical Guide to Effective Design and Management of Mpas For
    A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE REPORT EFFECTIVE DESIGN AND 2019 MANAGEMENT OF MPAs FOR SHARKS AND RAYS This project has been a collaboration between the Centre LEAD AUTHOR: for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture Cassandra L Rigby, James Cook (CSTFA) at James Cook University, Australia, and WWF. University ABOUT WWF AUTHORS: WWF is one of the largest and most experienced Colin Simpendorfer, James Cook independent conservation organizations, with over University 5 million supporters and a global network active in Andy Cornish, WWF-Hong Kong more than 100 countries. WWF´s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet´s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with HOW TO CITE THIS WORK: nature, by conserving the world´s biological diversity, Rigby, C.L., Simpfendorfer, C.A. ensuring that the use of renewable resources is and A. Cornish (2019) A Practical sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution Guide to Effective Design and and wasteful consumption. WWF works to reverse Management of MPAs for Sharks declining shark populations through Sharks: Restoring and Rays. WWF, Gland, Switzerland. the Balance, a global initiative. www.panda.org DESIGN AND PRODUCTION: sharks.panda.org Evan Jeffries, Catherine Perry – Swim2Birds Ltd ABOUT CSTFA www.swim2birds.co.uk Research within the Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture (CSTFA) focuses not only Published in May 2019 by WWF on the aquatic and aquaculture systems that produce – World Wide Fund for Nature, food, but also the industries and communities that Gland, Switzerland utilise them. Multidisciplinary collaborations between our researchers provide the synergies to address Any reproduction in full or part substantial research problems in a way that individual must mention the title and credit research groups cannot.
    [Show full text]
  • Councils in Partnership: a Local Authority Perspective on Marine Spatial Planning
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Environmental Interactions of Marine Renewable Energy Technologies (EIMR2014), 28 April – 02 May 2014, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland. www.eimr.org EIMR2014-130 Councils in Partnership: A local authority perspective on Marine Spatial Planning Shona Turnbull1 James Green Highland Council Orkney Islands Council Glenurquhart Road, Inverness. School Place, Kirkwall. IV3 5NS KW15 1NY ABSTRACT in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters is largely Many studies have shown that effective driven by wave and tidal energy projects. Thus, the stakeholder engagement, including local north of Scotland is an area under clear development [8] communities, is vital for the success of any marine pressure from new marine activities . This region planning project. In the UK, local authorities can is bound by Highland (Caithness and Sutherland play a vital, if often overlooked, role in building north coasts) on the mainland and the circa 70 bridges between developers, academics and local islands that are collectively known as Orkney. communities. They can facilitate knowledge Highland supports around 233,000 people, many exchange and co-operation, using their local living within a few kilometres of its 4,900 km [9] understanding of the economic, social and ecological coastline . In contrast, Orkney has a population of [10, 11] make-up of an area. Thus, Highland Council and 21,530 within its coastline of around 1,000 km . Orkney Islands Council are using a mix of As a significant local employer in the area, both the traditional terrestrial planning techniques and Highland Council and Orkney Islands Council innovative marine approaches to enable, support and understand the economic, social and ecological engage stakeholders.
    [Show full text]
  • The Case for a Marine Act for Scotland the Tangle of the Forth
    The Case for a Marine Act for Scotland The Tangle of the Forth © WWF Scotland For more information contact: WWF Scotland Little Dunkeld Dunkeld Perthshire PH8 0AD t: 01350 728200 f: 01350 728201 The Case for a Marine Act for Scotland wwf.org.uk/scotland COTLAND’S incredibly Scotland’s territorial rich marine environment is waters cover 53 per cent of Designed by Ian Kirkwood Design S one of the most diverse in its total terrestrial and marine www.ik-design.co.uk Europe supporting an array of wildlife surface area Printed by Woods of Perth and habitats, many of international on recycled paper importance, some unique to Scottish Scotland’s marine and WWF-UK registered charity number 1081274 waters. Playing host to over twenty estuarine environment A company limited by guarantee species of whales and dolphins, contributes £4 billion to number 4016274 the world’s second largest fish - the Scotland’s £64 billion GDP Panda symbol © 1986 WWF – basking shark, the largest gannet World Wide Fund for Nature colony in the world and internationally 5.5 million passengers and (formerly World Wildlife Fund) ® WWF registered trademark important numbers of seabirds and seals 90 million tonnes of freight Scotland’s seas also contain amazing pass through Scottish ports deepwater coral reefs, anemones and starfish. The rugged coastline is 70 per cent of Scotland’s characterised by uniquely varied habitats population of 5 million live including steep shelving sea cliffs, sandy within 0km of the coast and beaches and majestic sea lochs. All of 20 per cent within km these combined represent one of Scotland’s greatest 25 per cent of Scottish Scotland has over economic and aesthetic business, accounting for 11,000km of coastline, assets.
    [Show full text]
  • Specification for Arctic Topographic Mapping 1:50 000
    Specification for Arctic topographic mapping 1:50 000 Edition 1.0 June 2015 Table of contents Preface ............................................................................................................................................................... 4 Content .......................................................................................................................................................... 4 Editors ............................................................................................................................................................ 4 Technical requirements ..................................................................................................................................... 5 Quality ........................................................................................................................................................... 5 Editors addresses ........................................................................................................................................... 8 Object catalogue ................................................................................................................................................ 9 Object class TRAFFIC .................................................................................................................................... 11 ROAD ....................................................................................................................................................... 11
    [Show full text]
  • Northern Isles Ferry Services
    Item: 11 Development and Infrastructure Committee: 5 June 2018. Northern Isles Ferry Services. Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure. 1. Purpose of Report To consider the specification for the future Northern Isles Ferry Services Contract. 2. Recommendations The Committee is invited to note: 2.1. That, in 2016, Transport Scotland appointed consultants, Peter Brett Associates, to carry out a proportionate appraisal of the Northern Isles Ferry Services, prior to drafting the future Northern Isles Ferry Services specifications. 2.2. That, as part of the appraisal process, Peter Brett Associates consulted with residents and key stakeholders, Transport Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, HITRANS, ZETRANS, Orkney Islands Council and Shetland Islands Council. 2.3. Key points from the Appraisal of Options for the Specification of the 2018 Northern Isles Ferry Services Final Report, summarised in section 4 of this report. 2.4. That, although the new Northern Isles Ferry Services contract was due to commence on 1 April 2018, the existing contract has been extended until October 2019 to consider the service specification in more detail and how the services should be procured in the future. It is recommended: 2.5. That the principles, attached as Appendix 2 to this report, be established, as the baseline position for the Council, to negotiate with the Scottish Government in respect of the contract specification for future provision of Northern Isles Ferry Services. Page 1. 2.6. That the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Leader and Depute Leader and the Chair and Vice Chair of the Development and Infrastructure Committee, should engage with the Scottish Government, with the aim of securing the most efficient and best quality outcome for Orkney for future Northern Isles Ferry Services, by evolving the baseline principles referred to at paragraph 2.5 above.
    [Show full text]
  • Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) on the Moray Firth a Guide for Developers and Regulators
    Scottish Natural Heritage Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) on the Moray Firth A Guide for developers and regulators Photo: Donald M Fisher Contents Section 1 Introduction 4 Introduction 4 Section 2 Potential Pathways of Impact 6 Construction 6 Operation 6 Table 1 Generic impact pathways and mitigation to consider 7 Section 3 Ecological Principles 9 Habitats and physical processes 9 Management of the environment 10 Land claim and physical management of the intertidal 10 Dredging and Disposal 11 Disturbance – its ecological consequences 12 Types of disturbance 12 Disturbance whilst feeding 13 Disturbance at resting sites 14 Habituation and prevention 14 Section 4 Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) 15 Natura 2000 15 The HRA procedure 16 HRA in the Moray Firth area 17 Figure 1 The HRA process up to and including appropriate assessment 18 The information required 19 Determining that there are no adverse effects on site integrity 19 Figure 2 The HRA process where a Competent Authority wishes to consent to a plan or project, but cannot conclude that there is no adverse effect on site integrity 20 1 Section 5 Accounts for Qualifying Interests 21 Habitats 21 Atlantic salt meadows 21 Coastal dune heathland 22 Lime deficient dune heathland with crowberry 23 Embryonic shifting dunes 24 Shifting dunes with marram 25 Dune grassland 26 Dunes with juniper 27 Humid dune slacks 28 Coastal shingle vegetation outside the reach of waves 29 Estuaries 30 Glasswort and other annuals colonising mud and sand 31 Intertidal mudflats and sandflats 32 Reefs 33
    [Show full text]
  • Swales Et Al. Sediment Process and Mangrove Expansion
    SEDIMENT PROCESSES AND MANGROVE-HABITAT EXPANSION ON A RAPIDLY-PROGRADING MUDDY COAST, NEW ZEALAND Andrew Swales1, Samuel J. Bentley 2, Catherine Lovelock 3, Robert G. Bell 1 1. NIWA, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, P.O. Box 11-115 Hamilton, New Zealand. [email protected] , [email protected] 2. Earth-Sciences Department, 6010 Alexander Murray Building, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John’s NL, Canada A1B 3X5. [email protected] 3. Centre for Marine Studies, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia. [email protected] Abstract : Mangrove-habitat expansion has occurred rapidly over the last 50 years in the 800 km 2 Firth-of-Thames estuary (New Zealand). Mangrove forest now extends 1-km seaward of the 1952 shoreline. The geomorphic development of this muddy coast was reconstructed using dated cores ( 210 Pb, 137 Cs, 7Be), historical- aerial photographs and field observations to explore the interaction between sediment processes and mangrove ecology. Catchment deforestation (1850s–1920s) delivered millions of m 3 of mud to the Firth, with the intertidal flats accreting at 20 mm yr -1 before mangrove colonization began (mid-1950s) and sedimentation rates increased to ≤ 100 mm yr -1. 210 Pb data show that the mangrove forest is a major long-term sink for mud. Seedling recruitment on the mudflat is controlled by wave-driven erosion. Mangrove-habitat expansion has occurred episodically and likely coincides with calm weather. The fate of this mangrove ecosystem will depend on vertical accretion at a rate equal to or exceeding sea level rise.
    [Show full text]