Intertidal Surveys near Langstone

Intertidal Surveys adjacent to Langstone Village

Coastal Partners has commissioned specialist consultancy ‘Ocean Ecology Ltd’ to undertake surveys of the intertidal habitats between Langstone Village and Warblington between the 16^th and 18^th September 2024 to investigate their environmental quality. These surveys will help advise whether there is the potential to restore the saltmarsh that that used to flourish at this location. This could follow a similar approach to the nearby saltmarsh restoration trial at West Itchenor (Saltmarsh Restoration Trial Project – West Itchenor - Chichester Harbour Conservancy), with both projects being linked to the Solent Seascape Project (Solent Seascape Project | Blue Marine Foundation).

On average, it is estimated that 2.54 hectares of saltmarsh are being lost within Chichester Harbour every year due to various pressures including sea level rise, coastal squeeze, lack of sediment supply and water quality issues. Saltmarsh provides many environmental benefits, including water quality improvements, carbon capture, removal of nitrates, feeding and roosting habitat for birds and nursery grounds for fish. It can also act as a natural flood and coastal defence, helping to dissipate wave energy and protect the intertidal foreshore. We are therefore investigating various options to restore and recreate Saltmarshes around the harbour as part of a suite of measures to reverse the environmental declines within the Harbour. The photo below illustrates healthy saltmarsh at Chidham, within Chichester Harbour:

The surveys, which are due to take place between the 16^th and 18^th September 2024, rely on acceptable weather conditions and will be undertaken over the low tide period, which means that the surveys will be undertaken during late afternoon / early evening. Weather permitting, the surveys will involve the use of a small hovercraft to provide safe access, and to avoid damage to the mudflats. The following data sheet provides information on the hovercraft that will be used: Solea. This will launch from the Ship Inn slipway, Langstone. The full area to be surveyed is illustrated in the map below. We have Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) assent for the survey from Natural England and have notified Chichester Harbour Conservancy about our use of the hovercraft. The Environment Agency are funding this survey. For further information about ‘Ocean Ecology Ltd’, who have been commissioned to undertake the surveys, please see Ocean Ecology - Intertidal Benthic Surveys (ocean-ecology.com). Ocean Ecology have recently undertaken seagrass surveys within Chichester Harbour using similar survey methods, on behalf of Chichester Harbour Conservancy.

For any queries relating to this survey, please contact coastal.team@havant.gov.uk.