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23/05/2012 10:26: New Project to Map the North Cornish Coast

The Environmental Records Centre for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (ERCCIS) and Cornwall Wildlife Trust have secured funding from SITA Trust Enriching Nature Programme for a new ground breaking project.



The Intertidal Discovery Project will focus on the North coast of Cornwall and aims to record the extent of the different types of habitat that occur on the shore between the highest and lowest tides (the Intertidal area). The North coast has a huge variety of habitat, including the very rare Honeycomb reefs (Sabellaria species) and Intertidal mudflats. The intertidal area is a very important area for hundreds of species from the tiny squat lobster to the more recognisable seal’s.



Over the next two years over 400km of coast will be surveyed and mapped by the project team, Martin Goodall the Intertidal Discovery Project Manager said "We are very excited to be starting this unique project and we are looking forward to working with as many local volunteers as possible to discover as much as we can about the north Cornish coast. A project of this scale is a first for both ERCCIS and the Wildlife Trust and it will pose many challenges!" 



Not only will Intertidal Discovery create the first comprehensive map of intertidal habitats along Cornwall’s north coast, the information gathered will help to assess its ecological condition and serve as a evidence based tool on which conservationists can use to inform management strategies and underpin policy to ensure its future protection for future generations.



Martin continues "We are very fortunate to have such diversity of habitat along the Cornish coast together with the plants and animals that thrive there. It is therefore essential that we make every effort to understand and protect it". We intend the information gathered to be made available to all with a keen interest in such a wonderful resource.



Gary Lewis ERCCIS Manager concludes "I am delighted that SITA Trust recognised the value and importance of the work to be undertaken and feel privileged that the Environmental Record Centre is part of such an influential project for Cornwall".



We would like to involve you!



The Intertidal Discovery is looking to train volunteers in the local area in intertidal survey techniques, so that ERCCIS can continue year on year to look at any long term changes in habitat.



We will be releasing more detail later in the year so if you would like to get involved please contact Martin Goodall (martin.goodall@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk) or look at www.erccis.org.uk for more information.