2011 Ecospan Ltd Fal and Helford Marine Sites Condition Monitoring Intertidal Mudflats and Sandflats

notPlanned

"Site Condition Monitoring is (SCM) undertaken to determine whether the status of the special interest features which underpin the designation of habitats or areas are being maintained, and to guide site management action where appropriate. Natural England has a duty to monitor and assess the condition of the intertidal features in order to report on the conservation status of mudflat and sandflat habitats once every six years. The purpose of this study is to: Establish a physical and biological baseline data set (where one does not exist) that will then facilitate an assessment of the favourable condition status of the mudflat and sandflat habitats of the Malpas Estuary SSSI, Upper Fal Estuary and Woods SSSI, and the Lower Fal & Helford Intertidal SSSI (therefore fulfilling Natural Englands monitoring requirements for the SSSI for condition assessment). 2. Identify species and biotopes that are representative and/or notable within the intertidal mudflat and Sandflat features of the Fal and Helford Marine Sites Phase I and Phase II sampling strategy was focused on a series of transects placed throughout the study area. The transects ran seawards from the highest extent of the intertidal down to the mean low tide level and comprised a 400m wide belt."