Techniques for assessing shingle communities - University of Sussex

2.2 Seaford Bay, Martello Tower to Hawks Brow TV 4865 9813
Date of visit: 04 August 2003
Surveyors: TY.
Site Description: Area 1.73ha, 90% bare shingle. Long linear survey area adjacent to the
promenade. Survey area ran from the east of the Martello Tower to the terminal groyne, and
beyond to Hawk’s brow, encompassing shingle below the chalk cliffs.
Management history: Seaford Beach was completely recharged in the 1980s using shingle
dredged from offshore. The Environment Agency carry out routine shingle recycling and
reprofiling during the winter. A designated bathing beach, the beach is primarily managed as
a coastal defence and as a recreational resource.
Damage/disturbance: Severe compaction with increased load of sand and artificial profile
with frequent cliffing. Due to the linear nature of the beach and the close proximity to the
promenade, the beach is relatively narrow. The sea therefore is able to wash right up to the
sea wall during storm events, particularly in the winter. The chalk cliffs in this area support a
significant breeding colony of kittiwakes and are therefore subject to enrichment from the
guano.
Habitat description: Damaged pioneer community, heavily influenced by shingle recycling.
Atriplex was the frequent shingle species present.
Notable species: B. vulagris ssp. maritima.
Shingle habitat score: 0.1
Community type:
a) Shingle community: No fit
b) Broad shingle community: No fit
c) NVC: No fit to any shingle community although could be likened to MC6 Atriplex
prostrata – Beta vulgaris maritima sea-bird cliff community.
d) Habitats Directive Annex I: No fit
Table 10. Vascular plant list and abundance for survey site 2.2.
Species Common Name
Atriplex prostrata Spear-leaved Orache F
Calystegia sepium Hedge Bindweed F
Centaurea nigra Common Knapweed F
Holcus lanatus Yorkshire-fog F
Hypochaeris radicata Common Cat’s-ear F
Persicaria maculosa Redshank F
Picris echioides Bristly Oxtongue F
Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass F
Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell F
Anagallis arvensis Scarlet Pimpernel O
Arctium minus Lesser Burdock O
Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass O
Abundance
(DAFOR scale)
Techniques for assessing shingle communities 26