Ainsdale Sands plagioclimax

(Can use this for plagiclimax and local conservatina area 2nd case study- not main)

Dunes of Sefton coast formed over many hundreds of yrs

17th- 18th C  Large areas dune maintained rabbit habitat

Later efforts made convert poor nutrient sands into farmland- esp asparagus farming

20th C Beginning attempt stabilise dunes Formby Estate landowners created pine plantations now distinctive part of local landscape. 

Sefton coast largest dune area in England

Most important wildlife site 

Site of Special Scientifc Interest 

Liverpool----------------------------> Southport 

High proportion area comprises EU fixed dune priority habitat

key species: sand lizard natterjack toad patal wort toad

460 species of birds recorded on NNR many in dune slacks - open grassland habitat

Physical: Stom- force winds and destructive waves in late 1980s = erosion

Avg rate of dune erosion linked with Hz of Westerly storms

Formby point of erupotion up to 5 m a yr

major storms + high tides = sig erosion

Human

Popular tourist area means dune erosion loss of habitat quality

associated activies: vandalism, fires, & collecting rare species

visitor numbers swell during holiday season

Multi purpose approach: AIMS

1) preservation 

2) enabling approp public access

3) informing & educating visitors

Pine forest stabilises sand dune ecosystems, fast growing = income for area

 Mowing- control height/density invasive species in dune slacks

Shrub cutting and clearance- relatively smaller  areas- intensive nature of activity

Victorian era- rudimentary sea defences Formby and southport build sea defences

The pine plantations have provided income for the area because they're fast growing

The pine trees have been colonised by red squirrels a protected species in the British Isles

This has increased tourism since people want to see them

BALANCING ACT: Saving ecosystems so it is a good thing...

The pine needles that fall on the ground over acidify the soil- harsh conditions > plants

These take a long time to decompose so the effects are long lasting

Pine forests= monoculture, flaura and fauna can't survive 

Pine is evergreen so it is not deciduous this means the light is continuosly blocked out for the smaller trees and shubs

= loss of specialised sand-dune plants and animals.

Furtherdown the coast from Formby point sea wall not allowed sand dunes to build up.