| Tayside Biodiversity - Tayside
Biodiversity Action Plan - Coastal - Maritime Cliff
and Slope |
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CURRENT FACTORS CAUSING LOSS OR
DECLINE
The nature of the cliffs in Tayside has ensured that they remain amongst the
least modified of terrestrial habitats. There are, however, several factors affecting
them:
Coastal protection work
| Coastal protection
structures at the base of cliffs are rare in Tayside and therefore natural
erosion is the main influence upon the physical structure of the cliffs.
Coastal protection works are designed to prevent the removal of eroded
material by the sea. Their erection would therefore be likely to be detrimental
to the plant and invertebrate communities dependent upon the unstable surface,
as well as obscuring important rock exposures. |
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Agriculture
Cultivation of the
cliff top vegetation has truncated the natural zonation between
maritime
and terrestrial vegetation resulting in some loss of plant
species diversity as well as the loss of
large areas of cliff top vegetation.
As well as a loss of area due to agriculture, spray drift
and run-off of pesticides, herbicides or
fertilisers from adjacent fields can also affect cliff-top
vegetation communities which can lead
to a loss of species diversity.
Cultivation close to the cliff edge could potentially lead
to increasing erosion and slippage on
the cliff tops.
Although grazing by rabbits is an obvious feature in places
along the coastal cliffs and slopes,
a general lack of grazing has caused some scrub encroachment
and a loss of some
comparatively coarse and species-poor maritime grassland communities.
Whilst some scrub
(for example small areas of hawthorn, bramble or gorse scrub)
can add to habitat diversity and
is of value for many bird species, the diversity of species
and vegetation types is generally
enhanced by the right level of grazing.
Tipping and dumping occurs in places along the coast. Locally
this activity can have a
profound impact on the flora and bird life. Maritime grassland
is vulnerable and where large
quantities of earth have been dumped succession is likely to
occur to other vegetation types
supporting tall bulky grasses and nettles.
Recreation
The cliffs are popular for their scenic value, rich history
and culture and many clifftop footpaths are heavily used. Unless
well managed, vegetation trampling can reduce plant species diversity
and the creation of access paths from cliff top locations to
the shoreline can increase erosion and may adversely affect nesting
birds.
The southern area of cliffs comes under the heaviest recreational pressure
because of its proximity to Arbroath, the existence of footpaths, including a
nature trail (within the SWT Reserve) and the suitability of the site for walking,
jogging, mountain biking, bird watching, botanising and angling. The northern
section is notably less used. Litter is a continual problem creating a potential
hazard for seabirds, invertebrates and small mammals. Angus Council is currently
considering the possibility of a coastal trail which would run through the whole
site; this could considerably increase the number of walkers within the SSSI.
Burning by vandals regularly occurs between Whiting Ness and Carlingheugh Bay,
especially in areas of thick grass or gorse and has resulted in the loss of an
important plant species, the Maiden pink Dianthus armeria. Some of the burns
have been so hot that loss of the humus part of the soil has occurred thus leaving
areas highly prone to erosion, especially on slopes. Small blue butterflies Cupido
minimus are dependent upon Kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria as a larval food
plant so if fires should occur on a site on which it is present - or other rare
species are known to occur - local populations could be lost.
Theft of plants often occurs when Thrift Armeria maritime, Campion Silene spp.
and other plants are in flower. SWT volunteer wardens stopped two people in 1993
which resulted in one of the individuals being charged. Theft of Herring gull
eggs is also known to take place. There have also been incidents concerning the
shooting of seabirds. There is currently no volunteer warden.
In the 1980s the area between Whiting Ness and Carlingheugh Bay was used by
off-road motorcyclists which resulted in unsightly tracks, damage to vegetation,
erosion and noise pollution. Barriers now discourage motorcyclists, but there
are sporadic incidents around Carlingheugh Bay.
Angus College, Abertay University and Dundee University, as well as local schools,
all use the Seaton Cliffs SWT Reserve as part of their ecological and geological
courses. SWT Project and Training teams have also used the Reserve for training
purposes.
Natural impacts
Natural slumping and erosion occurs throughout the site, especially areas of
softer rock. However, the geological interest of the site is well exposed and
is not threatened in any way with erosion providing fresh exposures. |
MAIN
THREATS TO KEY SPECIES
Long-bracted
sedge,
Kidney vetch, Pellitory-
of-the-Wall, Maiden Pink |
- Recreational erosion
- Trampling
- Fire and theft |
| UK
importance of Tayside population: |
unknown |
Shag, Herring gull, Turnstones,
Kittiwakes, Fulmars, Razorbill,
Purple Sandpipers, Puffin, Guillemots |
- Litter
- Disturbance, including dogs
- Theft of herring gull eggs is known to take place |
| |
moderate |
| Small blue butterfly |
Fires occurring in areas
of Kidney vetch could result in populations being lost |
| |
moderate |
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OPPORTUNITIES
AND CURRENT ACTION
Management
plans for all designated sites to be kept current.
Site Condition Monitoring programme being carried out
by SNH monitors all SSSI notified interests on a 6-yearly
basis. This could potentially be supplemented in between
by work by other organisations.
A Shoreline Management Plan is being prepared by Angus
Council with input from other bodies.
Integrated Coastal Zone Management is being considered
by the Tay Estuary Forum; this would bring together the
Shoreline Management Plan and the Tayside Biodiversity
Action Plan.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Seaton Cliffs has
a reserve management group on which SNH is represented
owing to the site’s status as a SSSI. |
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OBJECTIVES & TARGETS
Objectives |
Targets |
1 |
Protect Tayside’s existing
maritime cliff and slope resource and the variety of
habitats present from further losses to anthropogenic
factors; to ensure conditions are suitable for the variety
of species found within the habitat, especially the breeding
and wintering birds and rare invertebrates, allowing
for natural processes and replacing deterioration with
positive conservation. |
No net loss in area or reduction of quality
of habitat (except from natural erosion). |
2 |
Where conditions allow manage the coast
in sympathy with natural rocesses, allowing cliffs to
function as part of the natural coastal defences. |
Allow the natural functioning of the coast
where possible. |
3 |
Continue to determine in detail the area,
extent and condition of maritime cliff and slope habitats
in Tayside. |
Complete survey of all maritime cliff
and slope habitat by 2004. |
4 |
Maintain and protect the quality and integrity
of designated sites. Ensure that the current set of management
plans is completed and that monitoring of sites continues.
Seek to apply prescriptions and principles to all maritime
cliff and slope habitats in the region. |
Keep up-to-date management plans for all
designated areas. |
5 |
Set up a five-year programme to raise
awareness of biodiversity, its importance, the fragility
of the coast, and the need for its conservation in Tayside.
Include maritime cliff and slope in this programme. |
Set up a public awareness programme by
2002.
Run public awareness programme until 2006. |
6 |
Ensure that any work carried out is in
accordance with the aims and objectives of the Tay Estuary
Forum and the Angus Shoreline Management plan. |
Continue liaison with Angus Council Roads
Department and Tay Estuary Forum. |
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