Sensitivity to human activities

Activities listed are those which influence, or are likely to influence this habitat and which are assessed in the UK marine SAC project review. The sensitivity rank may require amendment in the light of new information becoming available.

Sensitivity to: Human activity Rank Comments
Hydrocarbon contamination Uses: boats/shipping (oil spills)

High

 A number of studies have suggested that, in general, it is the associated faunal communities that are more sensitive to oil pollution that the Zostera plants themselves (Jacobs 1980; Zieman et al. 1984; Fonseca 1992). Epiphyte grazers such as Hydrobia ulvae can contribute to the health of Zostera plants by removing the algae that foul the leaves. Any factors (natural or anthropogenic) such as oil pollution which reduce grazer populations may therefore have an indirect adverse impact on the Zostera bed. As Z. noltii occurs highest up the shore, it is likely to be most vulnerable to covering by oil, compared with sublittoral Zostera species, which are protected from direct contact with oil. Since Zostera generally occurs in sheltered, low energy sites, natural weathering of oil will be slow.
Changes in nutrient

levels

 Waste: sewage discharge

Intermediate

 Nutrient enrichment encourages rapid growth of blanket algae. Some opportunistic species such as Enteromorpha spp. may cause severe shading of Zostera (Den Hartog 1987). Den Hartog (1994) reported that at Langstone Harbour, S. England the growth of a dense blanket of E. radiata in 1991 resulted in the loss of 10 ha of Z. marina and Z. noltii, and that by the summer of 1992, Zostera spp. were entirely absent. Eutrophication may have a detrimental affect on grazer populations.
Abrasion Recreation: popular beach /resort

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uses: boats/shipping (anchoring, mooring, beaching & launching)

Intermediate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intermediate

 Trampling is usually caused by recreational activities such as walking, horse-riding and off-road driving. Trampling damage may also be caused by environmental mitigation work. Thom (1993) reported that Z. marina beds in Washington State were damaged by trampling when mitigation work was being carried out in response to crab mortalities. Trampling damage resulting from oil clean-up attempts has also been reported. After the Sea Empress oil spill near Milford Haven in Wales, damage to Zostera appeared to be limited to those plants living on areas of shore traversed by clean-up vehicles.

Abrasion may also be caused by boat anchoring, beaching and launching.

Displacement Collecting: bait digging

 

 

Intermediate

 Eelgrasses are generally not physically robust. Their root systems are typically located within the top 20 cm of the sediment and so can be dislodged easily by a range of activities, including trampling, anchoring, digging, dredging and powerboat wash (Fonesca 1992).

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