Severn CHaMP

Overview

A Severn Estuary Coastal Habitat Management Plan (CHaMP) was produced on behalf of the Environment Agency by a consortium involving Jacobs Babtie, ABP Marine Environmental Research, and Royal Haskoning. A CHaMP is intended to provide a high level framework to advise the management decisions that may affect sites designated under the (so called) Habitats and Bird Directives and the Ramsar convention. CHaMPs are considered necessary where such sites are located on, or adjacent to, dynamic coastlines and where other activities by flood and coastal defence may significantly affect the management of the (semi-) natural system. CHaMPs help provide a way of fulfilling the UK government's obligations, to avoid damage and deterioration to Natura 2000 and Ramsar sites. They are non-statutory and set out the best available scientific conclusions to inform the subsequent development of Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs), flood and coastal defence strategies, and planning maintenance and capital works.

Phases

Whilst a CHaMP focuses on habitats and how these may change over time, it is fundamental that a good understanding of the physical processes and morphology of the study area are gained to inform the assessments of habitat change. For this reason, the Severn Estuary CHaMP was taken forward in a phased manner that enabled present understanding to be reviewed and further assessment tools to be applied before attempting to predict future habitat changes.

Phase 1 - Scoping: ABPmer undertook an extensive literature review to produce a conceptual understanding of the estuary processes and morphological evolution as well as a comprehensive habitat inventory. The most appropriate geomorphological assessment tools for the latter phases of the work were also identified.

Phase 2 - Assessment: A number of morphological assessment tools and analytical techniques were applied to the Severn Estuary to determine additional insight into key aspects of future morphological behaviour in the study area over timescales of 20, 50 and 100 years. The tools applied by ABPmer included: Regime Modelling, Wave Energetics, Tidal Delta Assessment, Historical Trends Analysis, Tidal Asymmetry, Sediment Budget and Expert Geomorphological Assessment.

Phase 3 - Synthesis and Reporting: A habitat gain/loss account has been produced for the study area based on the understanding of the system generated under Phases 1 and 2 of the project. The final deliverable of the project was in an interactive format and presented on a CD. This was designed to help maximise uptake with stakeholders and facilitate understanding of the dynamic nature of such work. ABPmer are working directly with the EA to facilitate the delivery of the CD and the subsequent sign off process.

At the end of 2006 the project was short listed for an Environment Agency Project Excellence Award in the ‘Innovation and technical Excellence ‘ category.

For further information contact:
Dr Natalie Frost

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