coastline 'threatened by sea level rises', claims report
coastline around Burnham-On-Sea could significantly change when
more than three-quarters of the Severn Estuary's mudflats disappear
over the next century due to sea levels rise caused by climate
change, a new report has warned.
next 60 years could see water levels rise by 30cm-40cm (12-16in),
claim researchers at Cardiff University and Environment Agency
'State of the Severn Estuary Report' warns that the impact of
climate change could cause 77% of the zone the area that
is above water at low tide and underwater at high tide
to disappear over the next 100 years.
The rapid loss of intertidal areas could have knock-on implications
for wildlife that feed on the mudflats and sandflats of the intertidal
zone, such as wading birds and waterfowl, with the report warning
that intertidal mudflats were of "major conservation importance."
It is coupled with a warning of repeated flooding in areas along
the estuary in the future if no action is taken, and current sea
defences are not maintained.
The report produced by the Severn Estuary Partnership
and Cardiff University in collaboration with the Environment Agency
also predicts that 38% of vital saltmarshes could be lost
in the next century as they become "squeezed" against
report aims to look at the use and resources of the area "from
wildlife to wave formations, energy generation and climate change".
The report warned that the risk from climate change and flooding
in the Estuary had the potential to be "substantial",
due to the number of homes, businesses and crucial infrastructure
existing on or near the shoreline.
said: "With sea levels predicted to rise, the risk of flooding
and damage to lives and property could increase without significant
investment in the Estuarys coastal defence infrastructure."
"A recent study using tide gauge data from the Bristol Channel
and Severn Estuary found that there had been a rise in mean sea
level over a 15-year period from 1993-2000 and that these trends
were likely to continue."
"The Severn Estuary Flood Risk Management Strategy
the Environment Agencys plan to manage tidal flood risk
in the Severn Estuary predicts that if no action is taken
and current sea defences are not maintained, then much of the
low lying land around the Estuary will flood several times a year."
Estuary Partnership officer Paul Parker said: "We believe
this report, the first to address such a broad range of estuary-wide
features, will inform and raise the interest of all those around
the Severn, from residents to industry professionals alike."
SEP aims to aid in the sustainable management of the Severn Estuary
through a partnership approach and we believe the further development
of robust indicators in conjunction with annual updates
of this report will help to achieve a sustainable future
for this unique Estuary."