2005 English Nature (EN) Survey of the littoral caves of the South Wight maritime SAC

notPlanned

"The South Wight Maritime Special Area of Conservation (SAC), which includes theof the southern shore of the Isle of Wight (Fig. 1), has as one of its Annex Isubmerged or partially submerged sea caves. English Nature commissionedsurvey to investigate further those caves which have their entrances in thezone. The majority of these caves occur at the foot of the chalk cliffs whichthe coast at the western and eastern ends of the island. Specifically, theare found in the west from Alum Bay to Freshwater Bay, and in the east at theof Culver Cliff. All of these intertidal caves are considered to be of ecologicalwith many likely to host rare algal species that are restricted to habitatsfound within sea caves. The overall aim of the survey was to clarify the extent, distribution and biotope typesthe intertidal sea caves found within the South Wight Maritime SAC. The specificand objectives of this survey are set out below: 1. To undertake a Phase I inventory of as many of the intertidal caves as possiblethe South Wight Maritime SAC, with a minimum of eight caves to beto this level of detail.To undertake a Phase II survey of at least one cave two and possiblyto determine baseline information sufficient to facilitate conditionin accordance with JNCC Common Standards Monitoring guidancesea caves. The highest priority cave to survey to Phase II was Needles Caveknown as Scratchells Cave), close to the Needles. The survey took place between 5th and 8th September 2005. Caves not surveyed for this survey:Redoubt Cave WestRedoubt Cave MiddleCave MiddleCave WestCave EastCaveCave EastCave WestCave EastRedoubt SlotRedoubt Cave East"