Severn Estuary

Category: Marine and Oceanic Biomes.

Geographic Location: Europe.

Summary: This robust environment for migrating fish and birds holds huge potential as a source for wind- and tide-driven electrical power generation that could supply Britain with up to 5 percent of its energy needs.

The Severn Estuary, stretching from the mouth of the River Severn to the Bristol Channel on the Irish Sea, forms the marine boundary between Wales and southwestern England. The Severn is the longest river in Great Britain; the estuary is actually the mouth of three other rivers as well: the Wye, Usk, and Avon. Various other smaller rivers also are tributaries to the estuary.

The estuary is funnel shaped; it has the second-highest tidal ranges in the world, generally reaching 49 feet (15 meters). This has helped the biome become a focus for tidal energy ideas. The underlying geology of the estuary basin consists of rock, gravel, and sand, which help produce strong tidal streams as well as high turbidity that makes the water brown.

The climate of Severn Estuary is oceanic, typically cool in winter with warmer summers and rainy year round, especially in winter. Temperatures rise from an average cool range of 34–39 degrees F (1–4 degrees C) in winter to average highs of 64–72 degrees F (18–22 degrees C) in summer. Annual rainfall averages 39 inches (1,000 millimeters), with as much as 79 inches (2,000 millimeters) in higher elevations. The Estuary is located in the second windiest region of the United Kingdom, with the winds coming mostly from the southwest and northeast. Due to global-warming-driven changes in climate, governmental organizations are predicting the area will become the hottest region in the United Kingdom (UK).

Biodiversity

The Severn Estuary biome is an important site for wintering and wading birds that migrate through the area, supporting more than 10 percent of Britain’s wintering population of dunlin, as well as significant numbers of Bewick’s swans, European white-fronted geese, and wigeon. The region also supports wintering populations of gadwall, shoveler, and pochard. Over winter, the area regularly supports about 85,000 waterfowl overall, including shelduck, teal, grey plover, lapwing, redshank, and curlew. Whimbrel and ringed plover pass through in large numbers on migration, the former particularly in spring.

More than 110 species of fish, including seven different species of migratory fish such as Atlantic salmon, common eel, Allis shad, and sea trout pass through the estuary—more than any other British estuary. Several rare species of river lamprey, sea lamprey, and twaite shad use the estuary, which also serves as a nursery for juvenile fish that feed heavily on diatoms and plankton.

Saltmarsh, located in the upper parts of intertidal mudflats, is found all along the estuary’s fringes in the Avon area. Only a limited number of salt-tolerant plants can grow in these conditions, including nationally scarce species of slender hare’s-ear, sea clover, and bulbous foxtail. Saltmarsh, a haven to gastropods, mollusks, and insects, provides important feeding and roosting areas for waterfowl and waders. The harsh, wind-whipped conditions of the estuary are well-tolerated by alder and oak, the most dominant tree species here.

Power Generation

The Severn Estuary provides a valuable power-generation opportunity that has been contemplated for decades; the tidal power potential here has been reliably quantified at 8,640 megawatts when the tide flows, a viable opportunity to generate as much as 5 percent of the UK’s power needs. Various environmental issues, however, and underlying site preparation, construction, and operating costs have kept progress sidelined for years. The issue came to the fore in January 2008 when the Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study began; its mandate: to assess all tidal range technologies, including barrages, lagoons, and others. Some of the urgency stemmed from the UK’s need to address its carbon footprint goals under its responsibility to European Union (EU) renewable energy targets; its substantial and growing problems with its aging nuclear power plant infrastructure, along with that industry’s waste storage challenges; and the competitive gains the country could make regarding this emerging global technology. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and resulting sanctions against Russia prompted the UK to again explore other sources of energy. In March 2022 the government launched an independent commission to examine opportunities in the Severn estuary.

The UK government is committed to generating 20 percent of its energy needs from renewable sources in the near future; tidal generation in the Severn is more likely to be part of the mid- to long-term electricity solution. Wind power installations here, meanwhile, could form a portion of the short-term answer.

Environmental Issues

The wetlands of the estuary are a Ramsar preservation site; the biome is also recognized as a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the EU’s directive on the conservation of wild birds. The estuary has further been deemed a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the EU Habitat Directive, and part of the estuary has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI).

The estuary and its coastal area supports major Atlantic Ocean-connected ports and key cities including Cardiff, Bristol, and Gloucester. The beaches and undeveloped coastline, including low-lying wetlands and cliff scenery, provide recreational opportunities that must be balanced against the need to preserve and protect wildlife habitats. The ecoregion is managed through the Severn Estuary Partnership program, established in 1995 as a linkage of organizations and individuals committed to caring for the estuary.

The estuary is chronically threatened by natural processes such as coastal erosion from the high tidal range; strong currents and storm surges; and development pressure along the shoreline; as well as environmental threats from industrial, chemical, and domestic sewage discharge. Policies, programs, and projects to minimize the pollution in this ecoregion are ongoing.

Rising temperatures also are a concern; their effects on habitat are being monitored. Severe storms have already caused substantial coastal erosion and recurring floods. One of the biggest threats to the estuary comes from rising sea levels. More than three-quarters of the Severn Estuary mudflats, it is estimated, could vanish during this century as sea levels rise due to global warming, which would have a huge impact on biodiversity here. This impact would compel changes in the distribution of native species, and would enable some nonnative species to become more common. Scientists have been collecting evidence since the late twentieth century of animals occurring outside their usual or expected ranges here, including the northern expansion of marine mollusks, plants, migratory birds, and fish.

Bibliography

Edwards, S. D., P. J. S. Jones, and D. E. Nowell. “Participation in Coastal Zone Management Initiatives: A Review and Analysis of Examples from the UK.” Ocean & Coastal Management 36 (1997).

Holgate-Pollard, D. “Coastal Management: The Policy Context.” Marine Environmental Management Review of 1995 and Future Trends 3, no. 7 (1995).

Knowles, Steve and Louise Myatt-Bell. “The Severn Estuary Strategy: A Consensus Approach to Estuary Management.” Ocean & Coastal Management 44 (2001).

Morris, Steven. "Severn Estuary Tidal Energy Plan Back on Agenda Amid Ukraine Crisis." The Guardian, 8 Mar. 2022, www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/08/severn-estuary-tidal-energy-plan-back-on-agenda-amid-ukraine-crisis. Accessed 31 Aug. 2022.

Sorensen, J. “National and International Efforts at Integrated Coastal Management: Definitions, Achievements and Lessons.” Coastal Management 25 (1997).