Studland Bay

Studland bay is an example of a pressured coastline. A pressured coastline is one with multiple user groups with high demand as well as physical risks of erosion and ecosystem damage.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The national trust, who are responsible for Studland, have decided to not enforce hard engineering but performing a 'managed retreat'. This is where the natural processes are allowed to run their course. No groynes or sea walls have been installed and this has resulted in the beach becoming much more narrow at the southern end.

There are multiple user groups, each with a high demand of space and conflicts with others such as:

1. Naturists
2. Family groups
3. Jet-skiiers
4. Swimmers
5. Dog walkers
6. Horse riders
7. Teenagers [at night]

Conflicts:

1. Families & Naturists
2. Families & Dog walkers
3. Families & Jet skiers
4. Jet skiers & Swimmers
5. Families

Studland is over used and exploited due to its value. Its ecosystems are under threat and are continuously being damaged from:

1. Uncontrolled bonfires
2. Loud noise
3. Trampling and destroying
4. Air pollution from traffic congestion and cars
5. Pollution of the sea water by sunscreen and fuel from jet skis

Ecosystems and habitat:

1. Sand dunes
2. Snakes and lizards in marram grass
3. Eel grass [seahorses] is being destroyed by boat anchors and jet skis.

The marram grass is used to protect the sand dunes yet the disregard for the sand dunes and continuous trampling of them ensures that they are being weakened and destroyed. The marram grass is home to various species and trampling and wind erosion [as exposed by trampling] results in these species being killed and exposed.

Statistics:

1. 14 tonnes of litter left every week during peak season
2. Over 1 million tourists a year
3. Around 6000 parked cars in the peak season [air pollution and traffic congestion]
4. It takes 40/ 50 years for vegetation to regrow after fires.

Management:

Studland bay is now undergoing 'managed retreat'. This means the natural processes are allowed to 'run their course'. The southern side of the bay is heavily eroded and now contains a very narrow beach. Restaurants and cafes are threatened by the erosion of the cliffs.

1. Marram grass is continuously being replanted to ensure the sand dunes are not destroyed
2. Footpaths and flexible board paths are laid over the sand dunes to avoid them being directly trampled on.
3. Only a few access points to the beach to concentrate tourist pressure and steer them away from environmentally vulnerable areas.
4. Bonfires are banned to reduce fire risk. Fires can spread rapidly through the sand dunes, destroying them at a high rate.
5. Fire beaters are placed around the beaches so that in the event of a fire, it would not spread. This minimises the damage.
6. 200+ bins placed to avoid litter being strewn and dumped along the beach. Remember almost 14 tonnes of litter is left every week during peak season.
7. Visitors are educated about the risks to the ecosystem and how to minimise the damage.