Description
Book SynopsisSaltmarshes are often remote, inhospitable places, neither land nor sea, as hard to pin down as they are to navigate. In this saline odyssey, Clive Chatters has explored his favourite creeks, pools and mudflats to bring us an absorbing celebration of the ecology, biology, geology and history of this scarce and mysterious habitat. There are Tadpole Shrimps, and rare sedges, waders and Wild Celery even inland saltmarshes in this tour de force by a superb naturalist and writer.
BRETT WESTWOOD, naturalist, author and radio presenter
Saltmarshes are among Britain''s most diverse and dynamic landscapes. They abound around our shores but may also be found inland and at altitude wherever water, salt and vegetation combine. The species they support range from extreme rarities of specialised habitats to the less demanding denizens of coastal wetlands. Here is a landscape of international importance for migratory birds, endemic plants and an exceptional
Trade Review
A detailed and wide-ranging look at the natural history and diversity of one of Britain's most ecologically important landscapes. -- Mark Whitley * The Countryman *
A remarkable book ... Chatters writes with authority and eloquence on an enormous range of topics and draws from an impressive range of sources. -- Ros Bennett * British Wildlife *
Clive Chatters has maintained the standard in this excellent new book which deals with an often remote and slightly inhospitable habitat that attracts wildlife in droves. As the series names suggests, the focus is strongly on British examples but the author roams the country widely and brings the marshes he visits vividly to life. Splendid stuff. -- Alan Crowden * BES Bulletin *
The stories Clive Chatters tells are based on decades of first-hand experience and extensive research, and he is to be congratulated on a superb read ... hard to put down. -- Tim Rich * BSBI News *
Well researched and well-illustrated throughout ... contains a wealth of information about its subject matter, focusing on the wildlife, history, development and past and future conservation of this marginal coastal habitat. -- Ian Woodward * BTO *
Table of Contents
Preface 1. Introduction 2. Far from the shore 3. On the wind 4. In the Highlands 5. Atlantic gateway 6. The merse of the Solway Firth 7. Bae Ceredigion 8. Genesis of the Humber 9. Seawalls and the Severn 10. Capital marsh country 11. The legacy of the Solent's artwork 12. Southampton's Spartinas 13. Conservation before conservationists 14. The advent of nature conservation 15. Modest proposals 16. The rise of regulation 17. International perspectives 18. Invasive and non-native species 19. Conservation in practice 20. Rejuvenation 21. Time and tide Appendix A: A provisional inventory of inland saltmarshes in Britain Appendix B: Special Areas of Conservation in Britain supporting saltmarsh habitats References and further reading Species names Illustration credits Index
