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Inventory of Eelgrass Beds in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 2014 Inventory of eelgrass beds in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 2014 Section One: Report Version 6: May 2014 Zostera marina Paul Naylor Marsden, A. L. and Chesworth, J. C. 2014. Inventory of eelgrass beds in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 2014, Section One: Report. Version 6: May 2014. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Hampshire. i Acknowledgements Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust would like to thank the following, who have provided funding, data, advice, support and time in the production of this report and coollection of data: Natural England, Esmeé Fairbairn Founddation, Pig Shed Trust, Southern Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority, Sussex Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority, Hampshire County Council, Sita Trust, Ken Collins and Jenny Mallinson (University of Southhampton), Roger Herbert (University of Bournemouth), Anne Marston (Isle of Wight County Council)), Ian Ralphs (Hampshire Biodiversity Records Centre), The Wildlife Trusts, Jenni Tubbs, Chris Wood (Seasearch, Marine Conservation Society), Neil Garrick-Maidment (The Seahorse Trust), Colin Froud (Divercol), Val Gwynn (Country Wild Services), Lorraine Hooldstock, Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Dorset Environmental Records Centre, Solent Forum, Shelley Vince, Jessica Craig, Wanda Mills, Environment Agency, Ed Rowsell (Chichestter Harbour Conservancy), Iain Vincent, , Lucy Martin, Adam Johnson, Rebecca Oliver, Vicky Ashcroft, Rachel Fine, Martin Waareham, Steve Read, and Richard Unsworth, Ben Jones, Rosemary McCCloskey, and Jo Peters (Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, University of Swansea). Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust would also like to thank all of the volunteer surveyors who took part in both the scuba diving and intertidal surveys conducted to gather data for this project. Marsden, A. L. and Chesworth, J. C. 2014. Inventory of eelgrass beds in Hampshirre and the Isle of Wight 2014, Section One: Report. Version 6: May 2014. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Hampshire. i This document should be cited as: Marsden, A. L. and Chesworth, J. C. 2014. Inventory of eelgrass beds in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 2014, Section One: Report. Version 6: May 2014. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Hampshire. Copyright information: Maps reproduced by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (Ordnance Survey licence no. 100015632) with the permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Crown Copyright 2014. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Front cover by Paul Naylor. Published by: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Beechcroft House Curdridge Hampshire SO32 2DP A company Ltd by guarantee & registered in England No. 676313 Charity No. 201081. No part of this document may be reproduced without permission. For information on how to obtain further copies of this document and accompanying data please contact Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust: [email protected]. Marsden, A. L. and Chesworth, J. C. 2014. Inventory of eelgrass beds in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 2014, Section One: Report. Version 6: May 2014. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Hampshire. ii Executive Summary The aim of this inventory is to provide a baseline of knowledge on the current Zostera (eelgrass) populations along the coasts of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. It is primarily aimed at conservation agencies and organisations, coastal and marine planners and anyone responsible for making decisions that could affect the coastal and near shore environments. It is designed to raise awareness of the importance of Zostera, assist in future survey, research and monitoring of Zostera populations and to contribute to conservation plans and development proposals. The inventory consists of a report section and a data section. The report section (Section One) summarises the biology and ecology of Zostera, current threats, conservation and management options, and survey and monitoring techniques. It also outlines the need for further work. The data section of the inventory (Section Two) comprises of site based maps and survey summary forms that provide further information on surveys carried out and basic site information. All maps should be used with reference to the survey summary forms to help prevent misinterpretation. Marsden, A. L. and Chesworth, J. C. 2014. Inventory of eelgrass beds in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 2014, Section One: Report. Version 6: May 2014. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Hampshire. iii Contents 1. Report aims and objectives.................................................................................... 1 2. An introduction to the Solent Seagrass Project……………………………………. 2 3. Site characterisation…………………………………………………………………….. 3 4. Biology of Zostera 4.1. Taxonomic status and morphology………………………………………………6 4.2. Growth and reproduction………………………………………………………… 8 4.2.1. Vegetative growth……………………………………………………………… 9 4.2.2. Sexual reproduction…………………………………………………………… 10 4.3. Environmental requirements 4.3.1. Light………………………………………………………………………………11 4.3.2. Substrate…………………………………………………………………………12 4.3.3. Exposure…………………………………………………………………………12 4.3.4. Salinity……………………………………………………………………………12 4.3.5. Temperature……………………………………………………………………. 13 4.3.6. Nutrients……………………………………………………………………….... 14 4.3.7. Zonation……………………………………………………………………….... 14 5. Ecological significance of seagrass 5.1. Sediment stabilisation…………………………………………………………….. 15 5.2. Productivity………………………………………………………………………… 15 5.3. Water quality and nutrient cycling……………………………………………….. 16 5.4. Carbon acquisition…………………………………………………………………. 16 5.5. Associated species…………………………………………………..……………. 17 5.5.1. Epiphytes and other algae…………………………………………………….. 18 5.5.2. Invertebrates……………………………………………………………………. 18 5.5.3. Fish………………………………………………………………………………. 18 5.5.4. Wildfowl………………………………………………………………………….. 19 5.6. “Biological guardians”……………………………………………………………... 19 5.7. Non-ecological and historical goods and services……………………………... 20 6. Threats to Zostera 6.1. Natural threats……………………………………………………………………....20 6.1.1. Weather…………………………………………………………………………..21 Marsden, A. L. and Chesworth, J. C. 2014. Inventory of eelgrass beds in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 2014, Section One: Report. Version 6: May 2014. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Hampshire. iv 6.1.2. Grazing………………………………………………………………………….. 21 6.1.3. Wasting disease………………………………………………………………... 22 6.2. Anthropogenic threats…………………………………………………………….. 24 6.2.1. Coastal development…………………………………………………………... 24 6.2.2. Water quality and pollution……………………………………………………. 24 6.2.3. Physical damage……………………………………………………………….. 27 6.2.4. Competition from non–native species …………………………….………….. 28 6.2.5. Climate change…………………………………………………………………. 30 7. Distribution of seagrasses 7.1. Global distribution………………………………………………………………… 30 7.2. UK distribution…………………………………………………………………….. 31 7.3. Solent distribution 7.3.1. Historic distribution……………………………………………………………. 34 7.3.2. Current distribution……………………………………………………………. 36 8. Conservation status of Zostera 8.1. International conservation status 8.1.1. The Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (The Bern Convention)……………………………….. 41 8.1.2. The Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR)………………………….. 42 8.1.3. Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar)………………………………………….. 43 8.1.4. EC Directive on the conservation of wild birds (EC Birds Directive 79/409/EEC)…………………………………………………………. 43 8.1.5. EC Directive on the Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (EC Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC)………………….. 44 8.1.6. Solent European Marine Site………………………………………………… 47 8.2. National conservation status……………………………………………………. 47 8.2.1. Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981…………………………………………... 47 8.2.2. Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs)…………………………………………….. 48 8.2.3. A UK Marine Act……………………………………………………………….. 51 9. Management options for Zostera beds……………………………………………... 52 9.1. Boat mooring management……………………………………………………... 53 9.2. Waste management for boats…………………………………………………... 53 Marsden, A. L. and Chesworth, J. C. 2014. Inventory of eelgrass beds in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 2014, Section One: Report. Version 6: May 2014. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Hampshire. v 9.3. Fishing activity management……………………………………………………. 48 9.3.1. Voluntary agreements…………………………………………………………. 54 9.3.2. Byelaws…………………………………………………………………………. 55 9.3.3. Artificial reefs…………………………………………………………………… 56 9.4. Restoration of Zostera beds……………………. ……………………………..... 56 10. Survey and monitoring techniques…………………………………………………… 58 11. Future survey, research and conservation recommendations………………….. 66 11.1 . Increased surveying and monitoring…………………………………………… 66 11.2 . Management and conservation……………………………………………….... 68 12. References……………………………………………………………………………….... 70 13. Appendix 1: Characteristics and morphology of Zostera species…………….... 86 Marsden, A. L. and Chesworth, J. C. 2014. Inventory of eelgrass beds in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 2014, Section One: Report. Version 6: May 2014. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Hampshire. vi 1. Report aims and objectives The principal aim of this report is to provide a baseline of knowledge on the current Zostera (eelgrass) populations along the coasts of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. It is primarily aimed at conservation agencies and organisations, coastal and marine planners and anyone responsible for making
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