ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE

Climate change predictions for the UK indicate that in the near future there is likely to be more rain in the winter and less in the summer. In addition, hotter summers will heighten evapotranspiration from wetland systems. These changes will increase the incidence and magnitude of seasonal water level changes in all types of wetlands. Increased drawdown is likely to have a great impact on shoreline ecosystems, especially in areas that are already shallow or seasonal. This trend is likely to present a number of threats and opportunities to shoreline conservation, and there is an urgent need for more research and guidance in this area.

IMPACTS ON HABITATS AND SPECIES

Increased water level fluctuations (WLF) will raise the levels of ‘disturbance’ on shorelines. In high fertility, muddy shores this will cause a change in vegetation composition from competitive species to ruderals. More importantly, the vegetation of low fertility, stony shores will be reduced or lost completely, resulting in bare shorelines. This will cause a major decline in nature conservation value and could have impacts on other issues such as water quality, amenity, recreation and engineering.