Effects of coastal erosion, Benacre, Suffolk, UK.
The coastal cliffs at Covehithe are formed of glacial sands and other deposits. Loose and unconsolidated, they erode rapidly, currently at around metres a year, although Environment Agency studies found that 75 metres had been lost between 1992 and 2006 at a rate of metres a year. The main part of the settlement at Covehithe, around 250 metres from the current shoreline, is expected to be lost to erosion by 2110, possibly even by 2040. Any future attempts to protect Covehithe are thought to be unsustainable, and would likely increase erosion rates at the larger settlement of Southwold to the south. To the north of Covehithe, Benacre Broad is an area of open water lagoons and reed beds with a shingle beach and alder carr woodland. These form important habitats for bird species such as marsh harriers, bearded reedling and water rail. Bitterns have been recorded in the area. Along with Covehithe Broad and Easton Broad to the south this forms Benacre National Nature Reserve and falls within the Pakefield to Easton Bavents Site of Special Scientific Interest
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Photo credit: © Clynt Garnham / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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Keywords: anglia, beach, british, change, climate, coast, coastal, coastline, deposits, east, effects, english, environment, environmental, erosion, impact, levels, marine, north, rising, sea, seaside, stumps, tree
