Different methods employed
Different methods were used to collect data in order to assess (a) trampling impact and risk; and (b) patterns of eutrophication (increased nutrient) impacts on the site’s vegetation.
"Ground truthing"
The assessment of 573 cells was initially carried out by interpretation of high resolution, recent aerial photography. To “ground truth” the assessment, a sample of 183 cells were assessed onsite by the surveyors.
Results
As found in the 2019 survey, the pattern of trampling and erosion risk throughout the site remains complex. The majority of hotspots are centred around access points to the reserve, path nodes and corridors between the amenity beach and the interior of the site.
Conclusion
The significant areas of risk from erosion from recreational trampling pressure are mostly associated with the frontal dune ridge. An area of dune grassland approximately 0.25ha in size in the SE corner of the reserve is most prone to nutrient enrichment from dog fouling.
Trampling
The assessment finds that the overall spatial pattern of trampling risk has, unsurprisingly, not changed since 2019 and the heatmaps produced for 2019 and 2023 are very similar.
Nutrient (fouling)
The best judgement from the available data in the current survey is that the spatial distribution of nutrient enrichment effects from dog fouling is substantially the same as in 2019.