Saltmarsh is widely distributed around the UK coast and accounts for 10% of the coastline, covering some 45,000ha
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Saltmarsh
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Saltmarshes occur in sheltered coastal areas free of strong wave action with shallow shores and a high sediment load. They are created by pioneer plants like glassworts Salicornia spp., common saltmarsh grass Puccinellia maritima and algae colonising mud and sandflats, trapping silt and stabilising the sedimentÂ
The pattern of vegetation across saltmarshes is governed by the age of the marsh; the differing salt tolerances of plant species; aeration of the mud, which varies according to the distance from the seaward edge and edge of creeks; grazing by domestic livestock; height of mud banks and erosion of banks due to frequent changes in channel course.
Current Status
Saltmarsh is widely distributed around the UK coast and accounts for 10% of the coastline, covering some 45,000ha.
Ten sites however account for 60% of the UK area of this habitat, four of which, the Solway Firth, Morecambe Bay, Ribble and Dee estuaries occur in NW England. The Duddon and Mersey estuaries also have extensive areas of saltmarsh. All these estuaries are of international importance. The Ravenglass estuary in Cumbria, which supports smaller areas of saltmarsh, is also of international importance.
Other areas of saltmarsh are of regional significance.
Examples of ungrazed saltmarsh are rare in NW England and are largely confined to parts of the Dee and Wyre estuaries and areas along the Walney Channel.
For further information please see the document for download on this page.
