RETURNING TO THE SEA
ABP Marine Environmental Research (ABPmer) has been commissioned by the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Environment Agency (EA) to undertake research for a nationwide study of managed-realignment schemes – the process of returning land back to the sea through controlled breaches of the sea wall and coastal-flood defences.
Over the last 10 years, there has been increased implementation of managed-realignment schemes in the UK. The process is used as a compensatory tool by DEFRA and the EA, in response to the loss of intertidal habitat caused by shoreside development and natural erosion, while maintaining a balance between continuing development and protecting the environment. The increased implementation of these schemes has been matched by an increased requirement for the monitoring of such schemes to evaluate their success.
ABPmer has been awarded a two-year contract to address these issues. The study will use previous work by ABPmer, which reviewed key criteria for successful habitat-creation schemes, and will also evaluate existing monitoring techniques for intertidal environments. The project will make recommendations on the practical measures that need to be taken for managed-realignment schemes, and will assist those responsible for designing, implementing and managing such sites.
In addition to the expertise provided by ABPmer, a peer-review group composed of staff from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the British Trust for Ornithology and the Queen Mary University of London will provide further input. The project falls under the joint EA/DEFRA-funded ‘Flood, Estuarine and Coastal Processes Theme’ managed by Mouchel Consulting Limited.
Nigel Pontee, Project Manager, ABPmer, said;
“ABPmer has considerable expertise in the field of habitat creation and is particularly pleased to be leading this project team. By providing guidance for the monitoring of existing schemes, this project will help ensure that lessons can be learned for the development of similar schemes in the future.”
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