SHOREHAM BEACH LOCAL NATURE RESERVE Coastal Geography Education Programme 2014-15 S. Savage 2014
COASTAL GEOGRAPHY OPPORTUNITIES Shoreham Beach Shoreham Beach is a shingle spit formed over many centuries by longshore drift and the cutting action of the river Adur that has slowly been diverted east by coastal processes resulting in its current position. Shoreham Beach, was designated a nature reserve in 2006 and provides excellent opportunities for first hand study of the dynamic coastal processes that shape our coastline and some of the challenges this represents. The current shingle spit can be studies as well as historical records of the forming of the shingle spit and the sea defences. Shingle Beach The shingle beach at Shoreham is made up mainly of flint pebbles in various forms and stages of erosion. This is also the case with many of our beaches in West Sussex. These pebbles have made a fascinating journey starting with their creation in the Cretaceous period and many were washed from the eroding chalk during the end of the last ice age when melt water created the river valleys we know today. Some of the flint has eroded from the chalk more recently. Historically, some non-flint pebbles used as ship ballast by vessels from other countries have been deposited by vessels outside the harbour and these also became part of the beach. Shingle as a sea defence Single is one of the most affective sea defences as the pebbles absorb the force of the wave energy as it is released when it hits the shore. The downside to shingle is that it is very mobile and keeping it in one place and to the right amount posses many challenges
At Shoreham, visiting schools can study the shingle beach, coastal processes, the beach physical make up and sea defences past and present. Students can measure the beach profile and consider defending the beach which comprises houses and rare vegetated shingle habitat. The affects of global issues such as climate change, sea level rise and increased storms can also be considered as well as the issue of coastal squeeze. Students are encouraged to consider coastal protection techniques including both soft and hard engineering. These include beach nourishment (much of which is dredged from the seabed or beach recycling, removing materials from an accreting beach and returned to a beach from which it has been transported by longshore drift. They will also be encouraged to consider other strategies such as managed retreat.
SHOREHAM BEACH VEGETATED SHINGLE HABITAT Shoreham is unique in that it has a large area of rare vegetated shingle and was established as a nature reserve to protect and enhance this rare habitat. Students are able to study the vegetated shingle habitat and the wildlife it supports. ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES Students will be able to undertake plant transect surveys to examine the plant communities and their adaptations in relation to where they are found on the shore. Alternatively, plant transect surveys can be undertaken to examine the problem of invasive species on the nature reserve and suggest possible solutions. Students will also be able to examine the terrestrial animal communities that vegetated shingle support.
We are also looking into the possibility to give over a small section of the nature reserve for secondary school students to study and monitor which will also provide useful data that will contribute towards the management of the nature reserve. Please contact us if you would like to know more stevep.savage@ntlworld.com SHOREHAM BEACH LOCAL NATURE RESERVE The students can also study the role of the nature reserve and the challenges of balancing the protection of a rare and valuable natural habitat with public access and human activities. Marine protected areas result in sites that are pleasant and enjoyable and naturally attract the public and sea leisure users who wish to undertake their pursuit in a safe, clean and attractive location. Our education programme also has links with the US via the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association. Due to a great increase in recreational users they are currently investigating the challenges of sustainable recreation in US marine protected areas as a model. Raising awareness of the importance and fragility of the site, through informal and formal education, are a key part of this. Students can also consider the affects of global issues such as climate change and how they might impact on Shoreham Beach. OTHER COASTAL EXAMPLES Similar processes that created Shoreham Beach also created the sand dunes at the West Beach Local Nature Reserve the building of the pier at the mouth of the river Arun. Such changes can also impact human activities such as harbours, ship navigation and other maritime activity. The river Ouse, currently entering the sea at Newhaven once flowed to Seaford which was an important seaport in the middle ages until a severe storm in the 16 th Century which breached the shingle bar and created a new entrance at what is now Newhaven. The construction of the breakwater at the mouth of Newhaven Harbour in 20 th Century prevented sand from replenishing the sand in Seaford's beaches.
At Shoreham we also have a fascinating intertidal area just inside the mouth of the harbour. Students can explore this unusual habitat, a mixture of estuary sediment, sand and man-made constructions allowing an interesting mix of sandy beach and rocky beach wildlife to inhabit this beach. For further information about the geography opportunities at Shoreham Beach Local Nature Reserve contact education coordinator Stephen Savage at stevep.savage@ntlworld.com Website http://www.fosbeach.com/education-on-shorehambeach/ For more information about our programme on environmental issues such as climate change and marine debris please email Stephen Savage and ask for the Ocean Literacy programme.