Sandy shores, UK

Description

The shore is the point at which the land meets the sea, and shores consist of varying substrates including mud, rocks, pebbles, shingle and sand ⁽¹⁾. Sand is formed by the gradual erosion of rocks and shells constantly battered by the sea. Eventually, fragments are broken down into small enough particles that they can be suspended in the water and carried by a process called longshore drift, finally being deposited further along the coast ⁽²⁾.

The changing tide creates a variety of different habitats on sandy shores...

Photos Videos

UK sandy shores fact file

• Description
• Range
• Biodiversity
• Threats
• Conservation
• Get involved
• Visit a UK sandy shore
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References

Description

The shore is the point at which the land meets the sea, and shores consist of varying substrates including mud, rocks, pebbles, shingle and sand ⁽¹⁾. Sand is formed by the gradual erosion of rocks and shells constantly battered by the sea. Eventually, fragments are broken down into small enough particles that they can be suspended in the water and carried by a process called longshore drift, finally being deposited further along the coast ⁽²⁾.

The changing tide creates a variety of different habitats on sandy shores, as the lower part of the beach is always underwater, while further up, the sand is only submerged at high tide ⁽¹⁾. The area between the low and high tide marks is called the intertidal zone, and species living here must be adaptable enough to cope with the ever-changing conditions ⁽³⁾.

The strandline is the highest point reached by the tide and it is here that seaweed and marine debris is deposited, providing food and shelter for a number of different species ⁽¹⁾. The seaweed washed ashore also plays an important role in the formation of sand dunes, with the nutrients released as it breaks down helping to establish new plant growth ⁽¹⁾.

Although sandy shores are popular with the general public, the unique ecosystems they contain are often overlooked ⁽⁴⁾. Shores are not only of major importance in terms of recreation, tourism and defence against coastal erosion, they also provide important habitats for a wide range of species ⁽⁵⁾.

Range

Globally, sandy shores and shores with a mixture of sand and rock make up around 75 percent of the world's ice-free coastlines ⁽⁶⁾. The United Kingdom is bordered by over 6,000 kilometres of shoreline which varies greatly from sandy beaches to boulders and rock pools, stretches of shingle and coastal mudflats ⁽¹⁾.

Biodiversity

Although the sandy shores of the UK are home to some conspicuous animals such as seabirds and seals, in the absence of such species they may appear a little barren at first glance. However, much of the life they support is actually found below the surface of the sand, where many invertebrate and fish species live buried out of sight ⁽²⁾.

Mammals

Two species of seal are found in UK waters, the common seal (Phoca vitulina) and the larger grey seal (Halichoerus grypus). Both species haul out of the sea from time to time, in particular to moult and breed, and can be seen basking on both sandy and rocky shores ⁽⁷⁾.

Terrestrial mammals such as deer, bats and voles also visit the shoreline to forage occasionally, and in the Scilly Isles the lesser white-toothed shrew (Crocidura suaveolens) has adapted to live on the seashore and grassy sand dunes ^{(1) (8)}.

Birds

A large number of both resident and migratory birds feed on sandy shores around the UK, foraging for invertebrate prey in the sand or among the debris of the strandline ⁽¹⁾. Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus), common ringed plovers (Charadrius hiaticula), terns, gulls, sandpipers and a whole host of closely related wading birds are all regularly seen on British shores⁽⁹⁾.

Reptiles

Although most commonly found in lowland heaths, the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) is also present in coastal sand dunes in some areas of the UK, requiring habitat with a mixture of plant cover and exposed sand where eggs can be laid⁽¹⁰⁾.

Invertebrates

A huge diversity of invertebrate life thrives on sandy shores, from tiny sand hoppers (Talitrus saltator) to the common shore crab (Carcinus maenas) ⁽¹⁾. Under the surface, burrowing species can be found, such as the sea potato (Echinocardium cordatum), razor shell (Ensis ensis) and common cockle (Cerastoderma edule) ⁽²⁾.

Perhaps the most easily detected species is the lugworm (Arenicola marina). Living in a U shaped burrow under the sand, its presence is signalled by a cast of coiled defecated sediment on the surface ^(2)(11).

Fish

A number of species live on the sandy seabed close to shore. The lesser weever (Echiichthys vipera) lives partly buried in the sand and is notable for the painful sting it delivers with the spines of its dorsal fin⁽¹²⁾. Other fish found here include the juvenile European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and lesser sand eel (Ammodytes tobianus)^(13)(14).

Plants

Whilst most seaweeds grow on craggy, rocky shorelines, there is some plant life to be found on coastal sand dunes⁽¹⁵⁾. Dunes are typically formed as the wind blows sand into drifts which get trapped around plants such as marram grass (Ammophila arenaria), the roots of which help to hold the dune together⁽¹⁶⁾. These stabilised dunes subsequently provide habitat for other coastal plants including sea holly (Eryngium maritimum) sea spurge (Euphorbia paralias), centaury (Centaurium erythraea) and prickly saltwort (Salsola kali)^(15)(16).

Threats

One of the biggest threats to UK shores is pollution ⁽¹⁾. Sewage, agricultural chemicals, oil, radioactive or toxic waste and heavy metals all threaten marine and coastal wildlife, and some estimates suggest that there are nearly 2,000 items of litter per kilometre of beach in Britain⁽¹⁷⁾.

Plastics are the most common form of waste found on the shore and in the sea, and this is particularly problematic as plastic is not biodegradable. A standard plastic bottle could take 450 years to break down, and even when physically broken down into smaller fragments, the particles may remain in the environment for thousands of years. Huge numbers of marine animals die each year as a result of ingesting plastic or becoming entangled in plastic waste⁽¹⁸⁾.

Shore habitat is also being lost due to the building of sea defence structures ⁽¹⁾, while practices such as beach nourishment, in which the sand on a beach is artificially replenished, also damage the natural ecosystem ⁽⁴⁾.

In addition, sandy shores around the world are threatened by rising sea levels as a result of global climate change ⁽⁴⁾.

Conservation

Various stretches of coastline are afforded some level of protection as designated conservation areas. For instance, Natural England has defined 33 percent of England's shoreline as 'Heritage Coast', with one of the aims of this initiative being to conserve and protect marine fauna and flora⁽¹⁹⁾. The UK also has a number of designated Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), zones within which the seas and coasts are protected and restrictions are put in place in order to conserve marine biodiversity^(20)(21).

Get involved

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) runs an environmental initiative called 'Beachwatch' which helps local communities care for their shores, running clean-up operations and beach surveys throughout the year⁽²²⁾. In addition to this, organisations such as Surfers Against Sewage also organise regular beach cleans⁽²³⁾. Hand cleaning is the most environmentally friendly method of beach cleaning, as although it is possible to clean sandy shores using mechanical methods, the machinery used tends to remove the top layer of sand and therefore takes away the invertebrate species living there too ⁽¹⁾. Such equipment is also very heavy and compacts the sand, further damaging the habitat ⁽¹⁾.

The 'Good Beach Guide', another MCS initiative, provides the public with information on the water quality and pollution levels of every bathing beach in the UK. By encouraging visitors to choose only the cleanest beaches recommended by the MCS, it is hoped that water companies, local councils and environmental regulators will be under increased pressure to tackle marine pollution issues⁽²⁴⁾.

There are also some simple steps that everyone can take to help protect UK shores. Using less water and being careful with what is flushed away or poured down the sink can help to reduce sewage spills and blocked pipes. Recycling and using only environmentally friendly products can also help reduce the amount of harmful waste on our beaches. Finally, if pollution is sighted, it should be reported to the Environment Agency⁽²⁴⁾.

Visit a UK sandy shore

There are many beautiful sandy beaches to visit in the UK. If you want to explore these unique habitats, here are some suggestions of where to start your journey:

• Find the cleanest bathing beaches in the UK with the Good Beach Guide
• Discover the RSPB's coastal reserves
• Explore the National Trust's top ten beaches

Some of our favourite UK sandy shores include:

Find out more

Find out more about UK shores and their conservation:

• The Wildlife Trusts: Habitat Explorer - Coastal
• Marine Conservation Society
• Marine Conservation Society - The Good Beach Guide
• Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN)
• Surfers Against Sewage
• RSPB Reserves - Cliffs, beaches and estuaries
• The National Trust - Top ten beaches

Glossary

Longshore drift

The method by which sediment (sand, clay or silt) is transported along a coastline by the action of waves, before being deposited to form new land further down the coast.

Intertidal

Pertaining to the intertidal zone, the region between the high tide mark and low tide mark.

Invertebrates

Animals with no backbone, such as insects, crustaceans, worms, molluscs, spiders, cnidarians (jellyfish, corals, sea anemones) and echinoderms.

Moult

Periodic shedding of (usually) the outermost body covering (such as feathers, fur or skin) during growth and development, or at specific times of the year.

Dorsal fin

The unpaired fin found on the back of the body of fish, or the raised structure on the back of most cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises)

References

1. The Wildlife Trusts - Beaches and Shorelines (November, 2012)
   http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife/habitats/beaches-and-shorelines
2. BBC - The Blue Planet: Sandy shore (November, 2012)
   http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/blueplanet/infobursts/sandy_shore_bg.shtml
3. BBC Nature - Intertidal zone (November, 2012)
   http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/habitats/Intertidal_zone
4. Schlacher, T.A., Dugan, J., Schoeman, D.S., Lastra, M., Jones, A., Scapini, F., McLachlan, A. and Defeo, O. (2007)
   Sandy beaches at the brink. Diversity and Distributions, 13: 556–560.
5. The Wildlife Trusts - Coastal (November 2012)
   http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife/habitats/coastal
6. Brown, A.C. and Mclachlan, A. (2002)
   Sandy shore ecosystems and the threats facing them: some predictions for the year 2025. Environmental Conservation, 29 (1): 62-77.
7. Marine Conservation Society - UK Seals (November, 2012)
   http://www.marine-conservation.org.uk/ukseals.html
8. Churchfield, S. (1988)
   Shrews of the British Isles. Shire Natural History, Shire Publications, Aylesbury.
9. Buczacki, S. (2002)
   Fauna Britannica. Hamlyn, London.
10. Beebee, T.J.C. and Griffiths, R.A. (2000)
    Amphibians and Reptiles. HarperCollins, London.
11. The Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN) - Blow lug (November, 2012)
    http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/Arenicolamarina.htm
12. The Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN) - Lesser weever (November, 2012)
    http://www.marlin.ac.uk/speciesinformation.php?speciesID=3221
13. Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C. (2002) [in] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland. (January 2003)
    http://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/
14. The Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN) - Lesser sand eel (November, 2012)
    http://www.marlin.ac.uk/speciesinformation.php?speciesID=2480
15. Plantlife: Key Habitats - Coastal (November 2012)
    http://www.plantlife.org.uk/wild_plants/key_habitats/coastal/
16. Chichester Harbour Education: Habitats - Sand dunes (November, 2012)
    http://www.conservancy.co.uk/learn/wildlife/dunes.htm
17. Marine Conservation Society - Pollution and litter problems (November, 2012)
    http://www.mcsuk.org/what_we_do/Clean+seas+and+beaches/Pollution+and+litter+problems/Pollution+and+litter+problems
18. Surfers Against Sewage - Marine Litter (November, 2012)
    http://www.sas.org.uk/campaigns/marine-litter/
19. Natural England - Heritage Coasts (November, 2012)
    http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/heritagecoasts/default.aspx
20. Natural England - Marine Protected Areas (November, 2012)
    http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/marine/mpa/default.aspx
21. DEFRA - Marine Protected Areas (November, 2012)
    http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/marine/protect/mpa/
22. Marine Conservation Society - Beachwatch (November, 2012)
    http://www.mcsuk.org/beachwatch/
23. Surfers Against Sewage - Volunteer for SAS (January, 2013)
    http://www.sas.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer-for-sas/
24. Marine Conservation Society - The Good Beach Guide (January, 2013)
    http://www.goodbeachguide.co.uk/