Biological Survey of the Intertidal Sediments of the South Shore of the Solway Firth

One of the key responsibilities of the statutory nature conservation agencies in the UK is the identification and protection of a series of sites intended to conserve important wildlife and earth science features. Such sites may be designated under national legislation (e.g. Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)), or European legislation such as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) under the Habitats Directive, and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) under the Birds Directive. Regular monitoring of sites is undertaken in order to assess the effectiveness of legislative and policy measures in contributing to biodiversity conservation. The intertidal mudflats and sandflats are a designated interest feature of the Solway Firth estuary, and as such, the survey reported here has aimed to provide data to support the overall monitoring programme of the site. Ultimately, the data will form a part of the ongoing condition assessment for the site.