1. Background to the Exe Estuary

Transcription

1 1. Background to the Exe Estuary Image 1a: Aeral vew of the Exe Estuary Source: EEMP The Exe Estuary n Devon, England encompasses over 3,000 hectares of dverse aquatc and terrestral habtats. It s desgnated as an Estuary of nternatonal mportance for nature conservaton. Protected from the open sea by the sand spts of Dawlsh Warren and Pole Sands, the Estuary s naturally an deal envronment n whch wld brds can feed and breed. These physcal characterstcs also make t a perfect the Exe catchment area, nvestgates ts value as a resource for Devon, and explores trends n dverse condton of the Exe and wll nform ts future management. Fgure 1a overleaf shows the man settlements around the shores of the Exe Estuary. Fgure 1b llustrates the dfferent types of geology found wthn the Exe Estuary catchment. In the upper lmestone and shales were deposted. These deposts are known as the Jurassc Beds. sols and the central catchment demonstrates loamy subsols over clay subsol, whch are generally slowly State of the Exe Estuary

2 Exeter Clyst St Mary Overvew: The Exe Catchment Devon Exmnster Topsham Ebford Exton Key Area of nterest (on man map) Catchment of the Rver Exe County Boundares Kennford Kenn The Exe Estuary Lympstone Barracks Lympstone Kenton Starcross Exmouth Cockwood Dawlsh Warren The Englsh Channel Dawlsh Klometers Key Settlements Land Inter Tdal zone Tdal Water Fgure 1a: The Exe Estuary Source: DCC 2014 and OS 2014 Crown copyrght. All rghts reserved State of the Exe Estuary 2014

3 Geologcal Formaton Eocene: Flnt Gravels Lower Cretaceous: Upper Greensand and Gault Clay Jurassc: Lower Lassc Shales and Lmestones Trassc: Budlegh Salterton Pebble Beds Trassc: Sandstones Trassc: Mudstones Perman: Breccas, Sandstones and Mudstones Upper Carbonferous: Sandstones and Slates Lower Carbonferous: Lmestones Upper to Mddle Devonan: Slates, Grts and Sandstones Mddle to Lower Devonan: Slates and Grts South Molton Credton Tverton Exeter Cullompton Ü Taunton Wellngton Honton Ottery St Mary Topsham Sdmouth Exmouth Budlegh Salterton Key Dawlsh Kngstegnton Tegnmouth Exe Estuary Partnershp Management Boundary Catchment of Rver Exe Locaton of Settlement Land Water Klometers Fgure 1b: Geology of the Exe catchment Source: DCC 2006 and OS 2014 background mappng. EA 2003 data. Crown copyrght. All rghts reserved State of the Exe Estuary

4 gradually created much of the present day landscape of Devon. The rses n sea levels that occurred wth the meltng of great ce sheets caused many of Devon s rver valleys to be drowned by the sea, creatng the Geology and sol type are mportant determnants of eroson levels, sedment dynamcs and sltaton. The dfferent geologcal envronments provde the bass for a varety of habtats whch support a wde range of speces wthn the Exe catchment. 1.1 Land Ownershp The Exe Estuary has seven fundus 1 the Estuary. The fundus of the nner and outer part of Dawlsh Warren Natonal Nature Reserve s owned and managed manoral rghts over the land. 1 The seabed n a tdal rver below low water mark 4 State of the Exe Estuary 2014

5 Exeter Clyst St Mary Topsham Exmnster Ebford Exton Woodbury Kennford Lympstone Barracks Kenn Lympstone Kenton Starcross Exmouth Cockwood Dawlsh Warren Key Settlements Land Water EEMP Boundary Dawlsh Freeholder Crown Estate East Devon Dstrct Councl 2 Manor of Kenton Lympstone Fshery and Harbour Assocaton Klometers Martn McGahey 3 4 Devon Wldlfe Trust Tegnbrdge Dstrct Councl 4 Freeholds on the fundus of the Exe Estuary Fgure 1c: Source: DCC 2014 and OS 2014 background mappng. CE 2006, PE 2006, DCC 2014 and MG 2014 data Crown copyrght. All rghts reserved Approxmate boundary derved from map of Crown Estate nterests held by DCC 2 As above wth addtonal reference to a map from Deed of Compromse 21/03/1997 suppled by the Powderham Estate 3 Approxmate boundary derved from fundus map suppled by Mr Martn McGahey 13/02/ Manoral rghts retaned by Manor of Kenton State of the Exe Estuary

6 1.2 Populaton The populaton of the Exe catchment area has ncreased consderably between 1981 and 2012, from around resources are consderable and requre careful management n order to avod degradng the rch and dverse envronment on whch people rely. Fgure 1e shows populaton growth n the vcnty of the Exe Estuary Between 1811 and Fgure 1e: Populaton growth n the vcnty of the Exe Estuary ( )

7 South Molton Taunton Wellngton Tverton Cullompton North Tawton Credton Honton Exeter Ottery St.Mary Topsham Sdmouth Exmouth Budlegh Salterton Kngstegnton Key Exe Estuary Partnershp Management Boundary Catchment of Rver Exe Locaton of Settlement Land Water Dawlsh Populaton densty Fgure 1d: Populaton densty wthn the Exe Catchment Source: DCC 2014 and OS 2014 background mappng. DPPSA 2013, West Somerset Parshes 2011 Census and Taunton Deane 2011 Census. 20 to 30 people/hectare 10 to 20 people/hectare 5 to 10 people/hectare 1 to 5 people/hectare Less than 1 person/hectare Klometers Crown copyrght. All rghts reserved State of the Exe Estuary

8 1.3 Socal and Economc Background Image 1b: Exeter Quay Image 1c: Exmouth Marna Source: EEMP Image 1d: Man roads crossng the Exe Estuary Source: EEMP Image 1e: New housng developments around the Exe Estuary 8 State of the Exe Estuary 2014

9 Human Settlement Mgraton trends show an average ncrease n the number of people lvng n the areas surroundng the Exe Estuary, although as economc growth has slowed snce 2008, so has n-mgraton. When the populaton of Devon ncreases, the demand for property contnues to grow and coastal and watersde 1f shows that between 1983 and 2009 average house prces n the dstrcts surroundng the Exe Estuary have Fgure 1f: House prces n dstrcts adjacent to the Exe Estuary Source: ONS and Land Regstery 2012 New Housng Developments In the next few years, the number of people lvng close to the Exe Estuary wll ncrease, as a result of housng outstandng plannng permssons and other developments. In the next years the expected housng growth wthn 10km of the Exe Estuary s approxmately 47,000 new homes. Ths ncludes 15,000 planned new homes n Tegnbrdge. wll ncrease the number of local resdents and the consequences of ths growth wll affect dfferent sectors, such as educaton, healthcare, local economy and natural envronment. The three local authortes around the Estuary have a legal duty to ensure no adverse effects occur to the Estuary as a result of ther strategc plans and t s therefore necessary to address the antcpated mpacts. State of the Exe Estuary

10 Index of Multple Deprvaton deprvaton n 7 domans ; educaton, employment, ncome, health, crme, barrers to servces and envronment. As a county, Devon has a level of deprvaton whch s much lower than the natonal average but there are some areas borderng the Exe Estuary of relatvely hgher deprvaton are n Exmouth, Dawlsh and on the edge of Exeter. Fgure 1g: Relatve deprvaton n the vcnty of the Exe Estuary 10 State of the Exe Estuary 2014

11 Employment Fgure 1h: The range of economc actvtes n the vcnty of the Exe Estuary State of the Exe Estuary

12 Wasp Spder Dawlsh Warren, Exmnster and Bowlng Green (range expandng) Vewable from Aprl October to rsng temperatures caused by clmate change Otter Upper Estuary All Year Green at hgh tdes July March Lttle Egret Throughout Estuary All year and breeds on the Estuary Sand (or Warren) Crocus Dawlsh Warren Md-March to md-aprl locaton n the Brtsh Isles Exmnster Grey Seal Sandbanks throughout the Estuary All Year others could vst at any tme Exeter Osprey Throughout especally Powderham and Exmnster Marshes March Aprl and August October Ospreys use the estuary lke a hghway for ther annual mgratons and are seen n Autumn on ther way back towards West Afrca Redshank Throughout the estuary but most lkely seen at hgh water roosts All year Sand Lzard Dawlsh Warren, around the Warren Pont area of the reserve. Warm days from March onwards s avalable below. For nformaton on guded wldlfe cruses, accessng the estuary and local amentes avalable, the Exe Explorer leaflet s an nformatve gude to the footpaths, cycle ways, publc transport Starcross and repeated dsturbance can threaten ther survval. tde roosts throughout the estuary Predomnantly July to March avod predators such as Peregrne Falcon Lympstone September March Avocet Upper Estuary Mudflats, and roostng at hgh tde at Bowlng Green Predomnantly July to March Warren and Exmnster Marshes Aprl June early Sprng of the Southern Estuary Vsble from May December Dark Belled Brent Geese Restng at hgh tde roosts and feedng on eel grass beds and at wetland areas throughout the estuary September March Background to the Exe Estuary 1.4 Managng the Exe Estuary Managng the Exe Estuary s an essental part of ensurng ts sustanable development and use. Management s complex and nvolves balancng European and natonal legslaton wth local Byelaws and other competng prortes. Wth three local authortes borderng the Exe Estuary and a range of organsatons responsble for dfferent actvtes the need for a co-ordnatng management body such as the Exe Estuary Management Partnershp s essental to The Exe Estuary Management Partnershp Management of the Exe Estuary s based upon the prncple of voluntary co-ordnaton exsts to provde a framework allowng the ntegraton of these nterests and responsbltes to t provdes a contact pont and communcaton lne to encourage co-operaton between the development of exstng resources and more effectve management by statutory and non-statutory bodes. The Partnershp also provdes opportuntes for the local communty to contrbute to the decson makng requred to nformaton boards, meetngs, forums, events and mantenance of an nteractve webste wth up to date nformaton on Estuary-related ssues - Whle there are a few dentfable ndvduals regularly seen n the estuary The Wldlfe of the Exe Estuary Large beautfully marked spder whose range s expandng locally due Ths leaflet s a gude to when and where to see some of the wldlfe hghlghts on the globally mportant and protected Exe Estuary. Estuares are a hostle envronment for the anmals that lve there, the changng tde requres less moble speces to be specally adapted to survve under water at hgh tde and at low tde when exposed. Brds use dfferent parts of the estuary dependng on the poston of the tde; feedng on the estuary mudflats at low water and roostng on hgher ground (such as Bowlng Green) at hgh-water. To avod dsappontment please check the tde table and consder the tmng of your vst carefully, a gude to the best season and tde to see some of the star speces From the brnk of extncton n the UK, due to poor water qualty, otters are now found on every rver n Devon and ferry servces on the Estuary. Copes are avalable from Tourst Informaton Centres and the Exe Estuary webste Topsham Enjoy your vst to the estuary and please consder your mpact on the wldlfe you are hopng to observe. Brds are especally senstve to dsturbance Black-taled Godwt Upper Estuary Mudflats, Bowlng Exton Dunln Feedng on estuary mudflats and at hgh The only wadng brd wth blue legs and an up curved bll whch they scythe from sde to sde when feedng A very mportant wnter ste for Blacktaled godwts whch can be easly confused wth ther close relatves the Bar-taled Godwts Flock n large numbers when feedng and can be seen flyng n formaton to brefly n sprng on ther way to Scottsh breedng stes and tend to spend longer Powderham Eel Grass Grows n large beds on ntertdal areas Once a notable brd for any brd watcher the Egret s now a regular sght Kenton The only flowerng plant capable of growng submerged n salt water; eel grass s the prmary reason for wldfowl wnterng n the estuary Exmnster s one of only 2 places where Redshank breed n Devon Cockwood Ths easly overlooked flower s a major rarty occurrng n only one other The Exe Estuary s the wnter home to 1% of the worlds populaton Dawlsh Warren Wgeon Restng at hgh tde roosts and feedng on eel grass beds and at wetland areas throughout the estuary Lkes areas where there s a good mxture of Marram grass and bare sand. Best seen baskng before the day gets too warm Dawlsh Wgeon par for lfe and partners keep n contact n large flocks by constant callng Hary Dragonfly Wetland locatons such as Dawlsh Ths beautfully marked emerald green dragonfly s one of the frst to emerge n Saturday 10 th May am 12 noon at Exmouth Local Nature Reserve Meetng Pont: Imperal Recreaton Ground Slpway Equpment: Bags and some gloves and spades provded Welles / old traners essental Fun and frolcs on the Estuary, for a very good cause Help out at the Bg Clean Up event and then jon our s and Free Cruse Courtesy of Stuart Lne Cruses and Free onboard buffet There s no need to book for the clean up - just turn up Chldren & dogs welcome. Contact the Exe Estuary Offcer wth any queres: Tel: mdge.kelly@devon.gov.uk devon Image 1f: Collecton of the Exe Estuary Management Partnershp documents Source: EEMP 12 State of the Exe Estuary 2014

13 The Statutory Bodes on the Exe Estuary envronmental legslaton, but t has other key roles relatng to the sustanable use of Natural England s the Government agency that champons the conservaton of wldlfe and geology throughout England. It also manages conservaton desgnaton and montors the qualty of desgnated stes. The Envronment Agency s the publc body responsble to the Secretary of State for Envronment, Food and Rural Affars. Its fundamental purpose s to protect and mprove the envronment for both people and wldlfe. In relaton to the Estuary, the EA s remt ncludes mantanng or mprovng water qualty, controllng envronmental polluton and EXMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL DAWLISH TOWN COUNCIL to surface run-off, ordnary watercourses and groundwater. The Dstrct level authortes have responsblty for many aspects of spatal plannng, and have powers to create and enforce Byelaws. Many of the local authortes own land around the Estuary, some of whch s managed for recreaton and/or as nature reserves. Harbour Authorty legslaton and n some cases by common law. Some dutes and powers comprse: plotage, lghtng and buoyng responsbltes; waste management and ol polluton; power to charge dues; power to rase, remove or destroy wrecks and to prohbt dangerous vessels from enterng the harbour area; dredgng operatons and State of the Exe Estuary

14 The Exe Estuary Forum The Exe Estuary Management Partnershp has held Forum events snce 2007 and snce then twce-yearly meetngs have taken place. The Forum gves local resdents and organsatons the opportunty to learn about the ams of the Partnershp, feedback comments on how the Partnershp could better communcate wth, represent and support them as well as the opportunty to meet and hear from the key people drectly nvolved wth managng aspects of the Estuary. The Forum has a char and a vce-char who are elected every two years to represent the nterests of the local communty. The Forum char and the vce-char automatcally have places on the EEMP Management Group. Management Boundares s recorded at electoral ward and parsh level, and much of the envronmental nformaton extends to the wder catchment area. The hydrologcal catchment boundary of the Rver Exe s a vast area coverng some 1530km 2 and any water causng dffuse polluton. When managng the Exe Estuary the effects of actvtes upstream and ther potental 14 State of the Exe Estuary 2014

15 Overvew: The Exe Catchment Exeter Clyst St Mary De v o n Key Exmnster Topsham Ebford Area of nterest (on man map) Catchment of the Rver Exe County Boundares Kennford Kenn Exton Lympstone Barracks The Exe Estuary Lympstone Kenton Starcross Exmouth Cockwood Dawlsh Warren The Englsh Channel Key Dawlsh Settlements Land Inter Tdal zone Tdal Water Exe Estuary Partnershp Management Boundary Klometers Fgure 1: Area managed by the Exe Estuary Partnershp Source: DCC 2014 and OS 2014 Crown copyrght. All rghts reserved State of the Exe Estuary