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Home > Our work > Conservation > Protecting wildlife sites > Protecting sites in England > RSPB action on the Suffolk Coast
RSPB action on the Suffolk Coast
Suffolk's low-lying coast is vulnerable to rising sea levels and the likely increase in storms due to climate change. The RSPB nature reserves of Dingle Marshes and Minsmere are of international conservation importance as Special Protection Areas (SPA), internationally important wetlands under the Ramsar Convention and candidate Areas of Conservation (cSAC). These international designations mean there is an obligation to recreate new wetlands to replace any lost due to the effects of sea level rise. In addition, the reserves are nationally important for nature conservation (Sites of Special Scientific Interest - SSSI) and landscape (in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). RSPB Minsmere nature reserveThe Environment Agency is looking at the long-term future of the sea defence protecting RSPB’s Minsmere nature reserve. In winter 2006 the sand dunes that provide the outer sea defences towards the north of the reserve breached, and a small amount of salt water overtopped the inner secondary sea wall. This was quickly evacuated from site, but unfortunately this problem is going to continue to get worse with time, and the northern part of the reserve remains vulnerable to salt water intrusion. The RSPB would like to see Minsmere's famous freshwater wetlands protected as long as practically possible. The Environment Agency are considering a whole range of options for future flood defences over parts of the reserve. The RSPB would like to see Minsmere’s famous freshwater wetlands protected as long as practically possible, to protect the species that rely on them until compensatory habitat is functioning in a more sustainable location. The practical, ecological and procedural difficulties involved in replacing or recreating habitats make it important that this is done now, with sufficient time to allow the new habitat to establish. However, the RSPB does recognise that this coastline is changing and that some areas of habitat may be lost in order to protect the majority of the reserve. We will continue to work closely with the Environment Agency to ensure the international wildlife importance of Minsmere is maintained for future generations.
Dingle MarshesThe RSPB is closely involved in a continuing process of consultation to determine the future of the sea defences that protect Dingle Marshes reserve, managed in partnership by the RSPB and the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, and the adjacent Natural England Walberswick reserve. This area is protected by a shingle bank, which breached in several places and was flattened over 2 km by a surge event in November 2006. This caused extensive saltwater flooding through the freshwater marshes and reedbeds, which support important populations of breeding bitterns, marsh harriers and waders. Keeping this habitat in suitable condition for nesting bitterns is important for maintaining the population The Environment Agency is proposing managed realignment (controlled flooding) of the entire site, to allow the shingle ridge to form a natural profile, and move inland. The RSPB’s view is that the most vulnerable freshwater reedbeds need to be protected from the effects of sea level rise until such time that compensatory habitat for the important breeding bitterns that use these areas is secured and functioning. Keeping this habitat in suitable condition for nesting bitterns is important for maintaining the population, and allows time to plan for recreating new compensatory habitat in more sustainable locations. We will continue to work closely with the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Suffolk Wildlife Trust to ensure the internationally important freshwater wildlife of Dingle marshes is protected until these habitats are functioning elsewhere.
Last modified: 16 May 2007 | Nature reserves |
Minsmere RSPB Reserve, general view of Boomacre Mere - David Tipling (rspb-images.com)
Hummingbird hawkmoth - Steve Round
Tree sparrow perched on branch in woodland - Sue Tranter (rspb-images.com, Ref: 1018091)