77 - North Norfolk Coast : Natural Capital and Key Ecosystem Services

Introduction

The North Norfolk Coast NCA provides a wide range of benefits to society. Each is derived from the attributes and processes (both natural and cultural features) within the area. These benefits are known collectively as ‘ecosystem services’. The predominant services are summarised below. Further information on ecosystem services provided in the North Norfolk Coast NCA is contained in the ‘Analysis’ section of this website.

What is Natural Capital?

Natural capital means “the elements of nature that directly or indirectly produce value to people, including ecosystems, species, freshwater, land, minerals, the air and oceans, as well as natural processes and functions” (Natural Capital Committee, 2017).

It is helpful to consider natural capital in the form of a logic chain that represents the links between ecosystem assets, services, benefits and value to people. The figure below displays that logic chain. The quantity and quality of ecosystem assets (woodland, bogs, etc) support different types of ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration or water filtration. These ecosystem services then provide different benefits to society, providing value for people. The figure also shows how management interventions, as well as pressures and drivers of change, influence this chain. Other capital inputs are also often needed for people to obtain the benefits from ecosystem services (a simple example is the processing of trees to produce wood products).

As an example, an area of woodland (ecosystem asset) may reduce air pollution created by traffic on a nearby road. This woodland is therefore improving air quality (ecosystem service) in the local area which results in cleaner air and improved health in the adjacent residential street (benefit). This cleaner air has a value because we know it impacts the health and wellbeing of communities.

Sometimes for ease of understanding, economic framing is used to give these benefits a monetary value. The figure below shows how natural capital assets support the provision of ecosystem services, benefits and value. The roots of the tree show how aspects of asset quality are critical to the provision of ecosystem services. The roots also show that geodiversity underpins the ecosystem assets and therefore the ecosystem services and benefits they can provide. It is important to remember that this diagram, and natural capital frameworks more generally, are a simplification of how nature works in practice.

Natural Capital within this NCA

In 2018, Natural England published ‘Natural Capital Indicators: for defining and measuring change in natural capital’ (Lusardi et al., 2018). This report identified key properties of the natural environment vital for the long-term sustainability of benefits, which can act as indicators of change.

These indicators are designed to inform our understanding of the state of our natural assets. The indicators highlight the importance of our natural assets for delivering which ecosystem service and the benefits they provide for society. The indicators and datasets identified in Natural England’s Natural Capital Indicators Project provide the foundation for the Natural Capital Atlas Profiles.

Natural England’s Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. They have a wide variety of uses with more information in the How to Start Using Your Natural Capital Atlas.

The Natural Capital indicators are presented on the map below by broad asset theme, displaying the natural capital within the NCA.

It is noted that not all indicators listed within the Natural Capital Atlas Profiles are included within the map as data is not yet available to measure them. Refer to the “Indicator Gaps and Limitations” of the Natural Capital Atlas Profiles for further information.

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:
 

• 25: Norfolk

Provisioning services (food, fibre and water supply)

Water availability: Rainfall is low with approximately 570 mm falling annually along the coastal strip and 670 mm falling on higher ground. Principal surface water resources within the NCA include the chalk rivers Hun, Burn, Stiffkey and Glaven. These rare and ecologically valuable rivers are heavily influenced by farming practices in the adjoining NCAs such as abstractions and run-off from fertiliser and pesticide use, as well as sewage works. Groundwater plays an important role in directly feeding the internationally important freshwater grazing marshes at Burnham Overy and providing base flow to all the rivers which in turn provide freshwater input to the intertidal areas. For information regarding the current state of water availability within this NCA, refer to the Environment Agency (Abstraction Licensing Strategy).

Regulating services (water purification, air quality maintenance and climate regulation)

Climate regulation: The coastal and marine ecosystems such as mudflats and salt marshes can aid the regulation of climate change and are vital carbon stores. Coastal habitats can respond naturally to sea level rise by moving landwards, but if this is restricted by higher ground or sea defences then this natural process is impeded and habitat is lost known as ‘Coastal squeeze. Although habitats are lost and created all the time it only becomes a problem or issue if it is a result of coastal squeeze or human interference.

The trend away from arable land management towards grasslands and from drained marsh towards wet marsh and salt marsh will increase carbon storage. Seaward pressure from coastal change and rising sea levels combined with landward pressure from golf courses and expansion of agricultural land will lead to the loss of semi-natural habitats and subsequently stored carbon and carbon sequestration ability.

Regulating water flow: The storage capacity for sea surges is considerable, given the vast area of salt marsh and tidal creeks, but is not sufficient to protect against extreme sea flooding as experienced in 1953 and more recently in 1978 and 1996, and which is predicted to be more common as a result of sea level rise and increased storminess.

Regulating coastal erosion: The exposed nature of the dunes at Holme which is within a high energy wave environment has led to persistent erosion of the foreshore. It is thought that the changes in shoreline response at Holme are a result of historic land reclamation within the neighbouring Thornham Harbour and the changes in sediment transport pathways that this caused. The cliffs at Weybourne provide little resistance to the aggressive action of North Sea waves, which erode the base of the cliffs. In addition, when the cliff material has a high water content it becomes unstable and, together with wave action, this results in slips and slides of large amounts of material along the coastline, leading to a general retreat of the cliff-line.

Soil erosion: Salt marsh soils are naturally wet and are prone to tidal flooding, as are the soils found throughout the various dune systems ranging from pioneer dunes through to consolidated dunes under low shrub. Both soil types are particularly prone to erosion and loss. Weybourne Cliffs are actively eroding with coastal and fluvial processes occurring at a natural rate. There are no coastal protection measures in place on this section of coast which is evidenced by the lack of vegetation on the cliff face.

Cultural services (inspiration, education and wellbeing)

Sense of place/inspiration: Almost all of the NCA lies within the Norfolk Coast AONB. The dual influences of the sea and land combine here to create a truly distinct and inspirational place – a wild, often tranquil and beautifully remote coastal landscape with great variety and texture. Mudflats, sand dunes, shingle banks, salt marsh and reedbeds contrast with small areas of arable fields growing spring barley for beer making. The clean harbour waters at Brancaster are breeding grounds for mussels and support a very local shellfish industry. Samphire, a local delicacy which has a long association with the area, and sea lavender bring seasonal colour. Coastal harbours and the string of distinctive brick and flint villages with landmark flint churches and occasional windmills provide a strong sense of place. An abundance of wildlife such as pink-footed geese and seals provide an opportunity to engage with and be inspired by nature.

Cultural activities include creativity workshops and writer’s retreats which use the natural beauty of the coast and inland habitats to provide relaxation and inspiration. Kevin Crossley-Holland successfully captured the essence of the muddy creeks and salt marshes of Burnham Overy Staithe in his poetry collection Waterslain. The local traditions of fishing, wildfowling and samphire gathering have frequently been depicted by the large number of amateur and professional artists who either live in or visit the area, drawn by the quality of light and the remote, wild and untamed nature of the landscape. A rich local variation in the use of traditional materials has inspired some fine examples of Arts and Crafts architecture and makes a fundamental contribution to sense of place.

Sense of history: The NCA has a long history of settlement. Relicts from the Bronze Age and Saxon fish traps have been found near Holme. The area has a similarly long history of invasion and defensive structures are common. Throughout the 400 years of Roman occupation, this part of the Norfolk coast was guarded by Roman military detachments supported by garrisons based in Colchester who accessed the North Norfolk Coast via the Peddars Way. The vulnerability of this coast changed little in the post-RomanThis world. Anglo-Saxons and Danes used the coastal area as a staging post for landward incursions. The threat of invasion continued to the Second World War when the shingle banks at Kelling were mined to delay the pace of an expected invasion.

Tranquillity: The coastal landscape can be remote with long, open, sweeping views, an overarching sky and strong influence from the sea. The NCA has a wilderness quality rare in lowland England. The area’s tranquillity is highly valued by locals and visitors alike. This is more apparent during the summer months on the A149 with a 450 per cent rise in traffic during August compared with January, particularly where the road narrows considerably at Stiffkey and Cley next the Sea. In the longer term, the tranquillity of the NCA may be compromised by increases in road traffic as a result of greater visitor numbers with the majority of them coming to the area by car.

Recreation: As with other areas of the Norfolk Coast, the social demographic of this area is significantly skewed to an ageing population. Outdoor recreation for local people focuses on walking, walking with dogs and sailing close to where people live. Outdoor access needs and recreational use by local people are often very different to the activities of those visiting the area.

Access to the intertidal and marine area is a major draw, as is the coastline. The area is important for education and research with the National Nature Reserves offering opportunities for schools and universities. The NCA is an extremely popular destination, catering for both weekend breaks and longer stays. Key resources include the scenic beauty of the coastal landscape; the beaches at Wells-next-the-Sea and Holkham; sailing opportunities afforded by the numerous small harbours; and the Norfolk Coast Path and associated network of footpaths and bridleways. Ecotourism is a growing industry and includes activities such as conservation volunteering with organisations including Norfolk Wildlife Trust, the RSPB and the National Trust. The most vulnerable sites are also the most popular, which has led to high numbers of visitors coming to the area by car, so careful management now and in the future is essential. The Norfolk Coast Cycleway (Sustrans Regional Route 30) runs just to the south of the NCA from Wells-next-the-Sea to Blakeney and National Route 1 runs from Ringstead to Wells-next-the-Sea.

Biodiversity: The whole coast is richly diverse with flora, fauna and ornithological interest. The geographical position of the coast and its range of habitats make it especially valuable for migratory birds and wintering waterfowl, particularly Brent and pink-footed geese. The salt marshes are among the finest coastal marshes in Britain and among the best in Europe. The salt marsh flora is exceptionally diverse and includes a number of uncommon species. The stabilised, mature dunes have a number of uncommon salt-tolerant species and the shingle banks are colonised by specialised plants. The shallow water, and an abundant invertebrate fauna in the mud, makes the coastal lagoons important feeding sites for wintering and passage waders and waterfowl. Extensive reedbeds have developed along the coast and many of them are managed to provide the conditions favoured by rare breeding birds. Maritime pasture is present on the Cley and Salthouse marshes, where marsh foxtail, annual beard-grass and jointed rush are found. A number of relict salt marsh creeks have developed into brackish reedbeds of ornithological importance.

The breeding bird communities are of national and international importance. Migratory birds, notably waders and passerines, are present in great abundance in the spring and autumn on the marshes and intertidal areas and the shingle banks and foreshore provide suitable habitats for them. The natterjack toad, a rare amphibian in Britain, breeds in shallow pools in the dune slack. Otter and common seal are also present. The area’s important habitats are vulnerable to the direct impacts of climate change, particularly from sea level rise. Loss of existing freshwater habitats would lead to losing reedbeds and grazing marsh that are essential for waders, wildfowl and other key species such as bittern and marsh harrier. Unfortunately for the little tern, the ideal nesting sites in north Norfolk are also used by large numbers of people. Walking, dog walking, kiting and other activities can all reduce the suitability of a breeding area and cause colonies to desert it. Currently, owing to recreational disturbance and predation pressures, colonies are not producing enough chicks to maintain their population in the long term.

Geodiversity: The coast includes internationally important geological sites such as Blakeney Point and Scolt Head Island and also many smaller, less prominent examples of coastal geomorphology. The salt marshes, with their associated shingle structures, form a geomorphological unit of the highest importance, tracing the post-glacial evolution of the area. Dune systems occur at a number of localities along the coast but are best developed at Holme and Holkham. On Scolt Head Island and at Blakeney Point sand dunes have developed on a shingle base. Much of the area is underlain by a glacial till ridge. The salt marshes are one of the few areas on the coastline of England and Wales where salt marsh morphology, including saltpans, has been researched in detail. The marshes exhibit a progression of age and development from east to west, manifested through changes in marsh height and assemblage of geomorphological features.