Saltmarsh and Intertidal Flats

Roman River looking towards Rowhedge and Wivenhoe (© Essex CC)

Saltmarsh and Intertidal Flats + near Heybridge Basin looking East (2011) (© Simon Odell)

View north west towards Blakeney Point, Blakeney, Norfolk (© Jonathan Dix)

View north across salt marsh and intertidal flats just west of Burnham Overy Staithe, Norfolk (© Jonathan Dix)

Saltmarsh and Intertidal Flats + Breydon Water showing remains of old wherry in foreground. (© L Marsden / A Yardy)

Breydon Water showing Gt Yarmouth syeline in background. (© L Marsden / A Yardy)

Breydon Water showing flood defence in foreground. (© L Marsden / A Yardy)

Summary

Overall description:

A dynamic coastal landscape comprising extensive natural habitats of saltmarsh and intertidal mudflats. A natural landscape where human influence occurs in the form of recreation, fishing activity, or sea defences.

Location:

Occurs along the Wash and north Norfolk coast as well as along east coast tidal creeks.

Physical environment

Landform:

Flat, low lying landscape interspersed by tidal creeks and inlets with a natural and organic form.

Natural / water features:

Extensive areas of salt marsh and brackish lagoons - transition between land and sea - interspersed with tidal creeks.

Vegetation and land use

Ecological character:

This is a largely semi-natural landscape type, dominated by intertidal mudflats, large areas of which remain extant.

Primary land use :

Amenity uses.

Tree cover:

Unwooded

Cultural pattern

Historic features:

Sea defences and occasional shipwrecks.

Enclosure pattern:

Unenclosed

Settlement pattern:

Settlement is notably absent.

n/a

Historic development :

Marsh and inter-tidal areas historically utilised as a local resource (e.g. grazing, fowling and salting) and not formally enclosed, or farmed.

Perceptions

Tranquility:

Natural landscape, with few human influences and a strong sense of remoteness, tranquillity and relative wildness.

Views:

Expansive landscape with distant open views.