Jurassic coast geo heritage sustainability study

The Jurassic Coast Geo-Heritage Sustainability Study aims to analyse the coast and provide a better understanding of the future risks to the Outstanding Universal Value of the Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site. With this analysis, we can therefore understand how we might better conserve the Geo-Heritage of the site. Nestled along the southwestern coast of England, the Jurassic Coast is a testament to Earth’s history and processes, spanning 185 million years of geological evolution. But this dynamic coastline is ever-changing and is one that will have considerable changes over time from factors such as sea level rise, climate change and us as human interacting with it.

The Environment Act 2021 sets out the Government’s aim to put plans in place for nature to recover for future generations to enjoy, and as part of this “Protected Site Strategies” will aim to provide bespoke toolkits for key areas in the UK. This is where our Jurassic Coast Geo-Heritage Sustainability Study project comes in. The Jurassic Coast Geo-Heritage Sustainability Study will aim to provide Natural England with the basis and background for a Protected Site Strategy.

We have given it the title of the Jurassic Coast Geo-Heritage Sustainability Study because we think it highlights the two key points that need to be addressed in the Protected Site Strategy for this area. Firstly, that geology is the heart of why the Jurassic Coast has its UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, and this is what has to be conserved. Secondly, our project is investigating both the human impacts on the coast, and the potential risks that are likely to occur due to climate change such as erosion, increased storm action and sea level rise.

Other Protected Site Strategies are also being undertaken across the UK by Natural England, with five pilot studies and seven supplementary research projects being undertaken as part of the Research and Development phase, which is an initial 3 year window. These projects investigate different aspects of the natural environment, and the Jurassic Coast was picked as part of these initial 12 project areas to highlight how we might integrate geodiversity and landscapes within Protected Site Strategies. A couple of members of the Jurassic Coast Trust team, Saskia and Sam, were invited to understand how to undertake these studies. In Cumbria, on isolated fens and bogs, Natural England have been testing how to restore water systems to stop precious peatlands drying out and allow them to regrow. The team were shown around a peatbog undergoing active restoration work to understand how these strategies go from paper to real-world actions.

The Jurassic Coast Geo-Heritage Sustainability Study has multiple lines of investigation:

• To analyse the coast in its current state, including a study to understand in detail all of the unique geo-heritage attributes for each section of the coast. With these in black and white, we will better be able to understand when something may threaten one of these attributes for any given area.
• To look at how we interact with the coastline, including an in-depth look at designations in place that create legal protections for the site and how these might be improved in time, with targeted consultation with key stakeholders such as Natural England, local councils, landowners and more.
• To understand how the boundaries of the Site may evolve over time, including using research to map sea level rise against the coastline and how the cliffs may retreat due to erosion.
• To recognise and signpost where appropriate the various active projects that aim to understand how the site is functioning and evolving. This includes working with nature and landscape recovery schemes, academic research and coastal management organisations.

The Jurassic Coast Geo-Heritage Sustainability Study is a big project pulling together many different sources of data and expertise but aims create a basis on which we can preserve the Jurassic Coast for generations to come. We look forward to sharing further updates as we can.