Last updated: October 2021
This project is studying seagrass to learn more about the distribution and health of seagrass in the waters of the Solent. By learning about where seagrass exists it can be better protected. The Wildlife Trust have been visiting local seagrass sites including the harbour in Portsmouth (1). Measures that can be employed to help protect Zostera beds include Boat mooring management - a program of awareness to relieve pressure on seagrass in areas of high boating activity, such as the Solent (3) and restoration through seeding or transplanting seagrass and Improving habitat conditions to encourage natural regeneration and colonisation (3).
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Coastlines
Key challenges
- Coastal resilience and marine protection (SDG 14)
- Coastal protection / hazard mitigation
- Marine and coastal research and/or education
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
Focus
Coastal landscape management or protection, Protection of natural ecosystems, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity
Project objectives
1. Undertake survey work to improve knowledge of the distribution, extent, health and biodiversity of seagrass beds in the Solent (3)
2. Raise awareness of seagrass beds amongst stakeholders and the public
3. Produce a seagrass inventory for Hampshire and Isle of Wight.
4. Encourage reporting of seagrass occurrence in the Solent by the public, as a means of raising awareness and locating other possible seagrass sites.
5. Exploring several seagrass management options such as:
- Boat mooring management - program of awareness to relieve pressure on seagrass in areas of high boating activity, such as the Solent area (3)
- Fishing activity management
- Waste management for boats
- restoration by seeding, transplanting seagrass shoots, Improving habitat conditions to encourage natural regeneration and colonisation.
Implementation activities
Monitoring seagrass beds within European Marine Sites and those vulnerable to damage from fishing activities (1)
1. Undertaking survey work to improve knowledge of the distribution, extent, health and biodiversity of seagrass beds in the Solent
2. Raise awareness of seagrass beds amongst stakeholders and the public
3. Produce a seagrass inventory for Hampshire and Isle of Wight.
4. Encourage reporting of seagrass occurrence in the Solent by the public, as a means of raising awareness and locating other possible seagrass sites. (3)
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
- Public engagement
- Other
Main beneficiaries
- National-level government
- Researchers/University
Governance
Management set-up
- Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- National government
- Private foundation/trust
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Citizen science
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The project involves many partnership organisations who have contributed with historical data collection or assisted on recent surveys (1)
Key organisations are the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and Natural England. Project partners include the Southern and Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs), Southampton National Oceanographic Centre, Environment Agency, The Isle of Wight Council and reasearch divers (1)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Yes
(1. EC Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds (EC Birds Directive 79/409/EEC)
2. EC Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (EC Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC)
(3). )
... a national policy or strategy?
Yes
(1. Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
2. UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP)
3. Regional Action for Biodiversity in South East England
(3) )
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
- Public national budget
- Private Foundation/Trust
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Water management and blue areas
- Enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Education
- Increased support for education and scientific research
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Type of reported impacts
Expected impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
1. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. (n.d.). Solent Seagrass Project. Accessed on November 12, 2020, Source link
2. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. (2014). 2014 seagrass surveys are underway. HIWWT-LivingSeas's blog. Website not available
3. Marsden, A. L. and Chesworth, J. C. (2014). Inventory of eelgrass beds in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 2014, Section One: Report. Version 6. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Hampshire. Accessed on November 12, 2020, Source link
4. Henderson, P. (2019). Seagrass in the Solent. Solent Protection Society, Accessed on November 12, 2020, Source link
2. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. (2014). 2014 seagrass surveys are underway. HIWWT-LivingSeas's blog. Website not available
3. Marsden, A. L. and Chesworth, J. C. (2014). Inventory of eelgrass beds in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 2014, Section One: Report. Version 6. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Hampshire. Accessed on November 12, 2020, Source link
4. Henderson, P. (2019). Seagrass in the Solent. Solent Protection Society, Accessed on November 12, 2020, Source link