Solent & Isle of Wight Intertidal Seagrass Survey 2023.
Abstract
Surveys were conducted within the Solent and Isle of Wight in known areas where seagrass has been mapped previously, as well as a small number of additional beds that have not been surveyed. Surveys assessed the current extent and condition of all seagrass habitats and communities at the peak of their natural cycle. Seagrass was recorded in all areas surveyed where the beds were accessible. This included a mix of Zostera noltii, Z. marina, and Z. marina ecotype. All of the harbour sites (Portsmouth, Langstone and Chichester) comprised a substrate dominated by mud while the other sites were composed of a mix of sand, gravel and cobbles. A total seagrass bedc overage of 251.18ha was recorded across the areas surveyed. Beds consisting of a mix of Z. noltii and Z. marina ecotype made up approximately 40% of this total area, covering 101.04ha, closely followed by mixed beds of Z. noltii and Z. marina which covered a total area of 88.05ha (35% of all seagrass beds recorded). Seagrass was recorded across 18 designated sites within the Solent and Isle of Wight including SSSIs, SPAs, SACS, Ramsars and MCZ. Analysis was undertaken to determine the total hectares of seagrass recorded within each MPA. The majority was found within SSSIs and Ramsar sites with a total of 228.48ha of seagrass in these areas while MCZs had the smallest seagrass beds within the survey area with a total of 23.02ha observed.