Coastal Research

CEH's work focuses on nutrient pollution and climate change in two key coastal habitats - saltmarsh and sand dunes. The work covers two main themes:

  • Biogeochemistry: the underlying biogeochemical processes – how nitrogen and carbon are stored and processed and the knock-on effects on plants, soils and the ecosystems they support.
  • Adaptive management: how best to manage coastal habitats in response to large-scale and local environmental change.

Saltmarsh research

A summary of the research questions are: Salt marshes are one of the rarest habitats in the UK and support a range of specialist plants and animals, many of which are rare or endangered. Salt marshes also play an important role in ameliorating the effect of wave action on sea defences that protect agricultural and urban land from flooding. Protecting and replacing these habitats, given their high natural and economic value and the high public profile the coastal zone attracts, has become increasingly important.

Sand dune research

Sand dune habitats are one of the most natural remaining vegetation types in the UK. They support over 70 nationally rare or red-data book species, and are a refuge for many species lost due to agricultural improvement of other lowland habitats. The open dune habitats in particular are important for a range of specialised species: plants which are intolerant of competition; insects which require some bare soil for burrowing; and for threatened reptiles and amphibians such as the sand lizard, natterjack toad and great-crested newt.

CEH Catchment Observatories

The overall aim is to provide a research platform for CEH water, biodiversity and biogeochemical research from source to sea as well as a platform for the wider community.