Conservation and Management World Heritage Site Monitoring

Geological Conservation Review sites

The Earth heritage interest of the World Heritage Site is identified through 66 Geological Conservation Review (GCR) sites spread along the Dorset and East Devon coast. Some sections of coast contain more than one GCR interest and some of the sites are large while others are quite small.

The GCR sites have been selected on the basis of their international importance or because they contain exceptional features of interest or are representative of a process that is fundamental to Britain's Earth history.

There are many different types of GCR site but on the Dorset and East Devon coast the range of GCR sites can be identified under just four categories: 39 Stratigraphical sites, 16 Palaeontological sites, 9 Geomorphological sites and 2 Structural sites. These are further divided into interest 'blocks'.

GCR sites are the responsibility of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. They have been chosen to form the basic unit for monitoring the state of conservation of the World Heritage Site.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest

GCR sites are protected within Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI's). Along the Dorset and East Devon coast there are some 11 SSSI's covering virtually the entire coastline. All of the SSSI's along the coast are designated for more than one reason as they contain both geological and wildlife interest. Indeed, the Sidmouth to West Bay coast, Chesil and the Fleet Lagoon and the Portland to Studland cliffs are also Candidate Special Areas of Conservation under the European Habitats and Species Directive. The Fleet Lagoon and the Exe Estuary are also RAMSAR sites for their wetland habitats.

The protection of SSSI's and SAC's is the responsibility of English Nature (in England) and they have a monitoring programme English Nature Site Information System (ENSIS) for both biological and Earth science sites. ENSIS units are defined by landowner units and English Nature are required to monitor these sites every three years for favorable or unfavorable status.

World Heritage Site monitoring

Monitoring of the World Heritage interests will be through looking at the GCR interest as a whole. However, it will also incorporate ENSIS monitoring (i.e. each GCR may embrace a number of ENSIS units). ENSIS contains a number of thematic questions (e.g. 'The features of interest are exposed or can practically be re-exposed if required'), which help to determine the state of conservation.

However, World Heritage monitoring intends to go further and engage active workers, scientists and experts in identifying interests, issues and actions that will inform management. A second function will be to build up long term records about each GCR site and its interest, particularly fossils, scientific papers or events such as landslides. Views received will be retained as part of he monitoring process. If an individual does not want views attributed to them, they must make that clear.

Channel Coast Observatory

A five year pilot project designed to monitor coastal change for engineers, the Channel Coast Observatory is based at the School of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Southampton. The monitoring programme includes regular (every 5 years) LIDAR (highly accurate laser terrain surveys) and aerial photographic surveys, beach profiling, tide and wave recording and modeling. Much of this data will be available and should be particularly useful for the geomorphological sites.

Stair Hole, Lulworth. Includes GCR Block 2289 for 'Alpine Structures of Southern England'. This coast also contains GCR blocks for Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous stratigraphy