UK designations • European & International Designations

The ecological value and importance of saltmarsh as a habitat is recognised through the designation of significant areas of habitat under a number of differing pieces of legislation and schemes. These designations variously reflect the intrinsic nature of the habitat, its function and the rarity value of some of the flora and fauna that it supports. In the vast majority of sites, saltmarsh forms a component of large site complexes (i.e. estuaries or open coastal sections) where its interaction with other habitats (e.g. mudflat or transitional terrestrial vegetation) and processes is of critical importance; and it is this habitat function that effectively being recognised by the designation(s).

The various nature conservation designations which may apply to saltmarsh habitat and the ecological interests that it supports are discussed.

Click on the above links for further information on UK, European and International designations