Wembury, in south Devon, is a haven for marine life and a wonderful destination for the seashore enthusiast.
The extent of Complete British Coastal Wildlife embraces not only the seashore proper and inshore coastal waters, but also the terrestrial strip of land broadly covered by the phrase ‘within sight of the sea’.
OUR GLORIOUS COASTAL WILDLIFE
With the exception of species that have extremely precise habitat requirements, or whose range geographically isolates them from the maritime environment, the majority of British terrestrial plant and animal species can be found near the sea somewhere in the region. Clearly, to include all these species in a book of this size would be impossible and ultimately pointless: it would simply overload the book with unnecessary species.
Terrestrial species that thrive near the coast, perhaps because of the milder climate for example, are included in the book, along with plants and animals whose range is exclusively coastal. But the bulk of the book is devoted to the seashore proper.
The seashore comprises such a rich set of habitats for wildlife that a book of this size cannot hope to include every species that occurs there. However, Complete British Coastal Wildlife does attempt to illustrate and describe every commonly encountered plant and animal on the seashore’s littoral zone: those habitats found between the ranges of highest high tide and lowest low tide. In addition, many species that occur in shallow sub-littoral waters (just below the lowest low-tide mark) are also included. These can sometimes be found while snorkelling or, out of their usual range, in large rock pools. Inshore seas are also extremely productive and provide endless scope for those interested in seabirds, cetaceans and seals. The content of this book reflects both the productivity of this environment and its interest and significance to naturalists.
Wembury, in south Devon, is a haven for marine life and a wonderful destination for the seashore enthusiast.
The rocky shore is not only a diverse place for wildlife, but it can be a colourful one too; here, Snakelocks Anemones and coralline seaweeds catch the eye.
THE LURE OF THE COAST
The British coast has always been important for people. In the past, its greatest significance was perhaps that it provided a source of food and a means of earning a living, and of course this continues to this day. But it also acts like a magnet to visitors from inland, such that there can be few British people who don’t visit the coast at least once a year. Some are attracted by the intrinsic beauty of our rocky coastlines or the sheer scale and lonely isolation of many estuaries and northern beaches. A sense (sadly misplaced these days) that these landscapes and habitats are untamed and unaffected by man is part of the attraction. But wherever you go on the coast it is impossible to ignore the wildlife, and indeed the plants and animals are the most important drawcard for many of us. It is for such natural historians and budding marine biologists that Complete British Coastal Wildlife is designed.
The seas around Lundy, which lies off the north Devon coast, are protected to a degree by Marine Nature Reserve status, the first of its kind in Britain.
COASTAL WILDLIFE AND CONSERVATION
Of course, it is not just naturalists who are drawn to the coast – visitors with a whole range of other interests and pursuits are also catered for. These include general holidaymakers who enjoy the ambience of the seaside without necessarily knowing precisely why they like it. Ramblers and hikers are lured to the coast for its scenic beauty and, sometimes, its demanding terrain, and for sailors, anglers and watersports enthusiasts the attraction is obvious. But because Britain is so densely populated, this puts coastal habitats and the marine environment generally under enormous pressure. The result is that for many sensitive species of wildlife the space available to them diminishes year on year, and they themselves become marginalised.
It is important that all of us who visit the coast and enjoy the wildlife delights it has to offer remember that, large or small, we all make an impact. Shooting and bait-digging have obvious and significant impacts on wildlife. Out-of-control dogs or windsurfers can cause untold damage to ground-nesting seabird colonies or roosting waders, for example. But even our very presence can cause disturbance and damage, if we fail to consider the consequences of our actions.
It is important that people continue to visit the coast to explore, observe and marvel at its wildlife spectacles, because it is only with their enthusiasm that the wholesale exploitation and disturbance of these precious habitats can be averted. Although individuals can always make a difference, generally a more powerful way of putting forward the conservation message comes from belonging to a society that campaigns for wildlife on behalf of its members. Organisations that fulfil this role include the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), The Wildlife Trusts and the Marine Conservation Society.