UNESCO - MAB Biosphere Reserves Directory

	Biosphere Reserve Information
	United Kingdom BRAUNTON BURROWS-NORTH DEVON	© Photo: Philippe Vernhes


General Description	This biosphere reserve is situated in the estuary of the Taw and Torridge Rivers in North Devon. A diversity of habitats is represented here. The core area comprises an active dune system with geomorphological and successional processes. Other habitats include a rocky foreshore, mud and sand flats, saltmarshes of various types, lowland farmland, grazing marsh, coastal heath, back-shore marsh as well as woodlands. As a result of the periodic review process in 2002, the Braunton Burrows Biosphere Reserve has been completely revised and extended by a consultation process among the local communities and the conservation and development authorities. It now encompasses a larger sector of the estuary of the Taw and Torridge Rivers. About 53,000 people live in the biosphere reserve (2002) who are mainly engaged in services, manufacturing, agriculture and fishing. Braunton Burrows Biosphere Reserve is a site where traditional land use practices are still maintained today. Grazing by Soay sheep and cattle on saltmarshes was practiced for more than a century and still maintains the marshes in a condition suitable for wintering wildfowl. Traditional local fishery harvests Atlantic salmon sea trout and sea bass which are species that rely on the site as part of their lifecycle. Also mussel fishery and the harvest of ulva and laver are still practiced in a traditional way. A special focus is given to young people at the Braunton Community College, located in the transition area, in order to make them familiar with the biosphere reserve concept.
Major ecosystem type	Temperate broadleaf forests or woodlands including coastal/marine component
Major habitats & land cover types	Dune (fixed and mobile) characterized by Ammophila arenaria, Salix spp., Juncus acutus, and Scirpus holoschoenus estuarine and saltmarsh habitats with Atriplex portulacoides, Salicornia spp., Suaeda martima etc.; low marsh and grazing marsh / floodplain including Phragmites communis, Agrostis stolonifera, Juncus effusus, Lemna gibba etc.; mixed farmland with Crataegus sp., Prunus sp., Fraxinus sp., Cynosurus cristatus, Agrostis stolonifera etc.;
Location	51°05'N; 04°24'W
Area (hectares)
Total	14,177
Core area(s)	1,333
Buffer zone(s)	3,120
Transition area(s) when given	9,724 (of which marine: 3,468)
Altitude (metres above sea level)	-1 to +150
Year designated	1976, extension 2002
Administrative authorities	Christie Devon Estates own and manage the Core Area. Buffer and Transition area is Devon County Council through the Northern Devon Coast and Countryside Service

Brief description	Changes in soil bio-geo-chemistry on managed re-alignment sites being carried out at new saltmarsh sites on the river Torridge Study of coastal processes in Bideford Bay and the Taw Torridge Estuary Monitoring of hydrology Beach level monitoring Condition of the Pebble Ridge Northam Water quality at bathing beaches Point source discharges of water quality Key species and habitat monitoring Effects of different pre-treatments for creating new saltmarshes Colonization of new saltmarsh creating Effects of grazing animals on the vegetation WeBs Counts DWT marine surveys Rocky foreshore biota populations DWT and Halsannery FSC Demography National Office of Statistics Use of Cycle ways DCC Visitor surveys
*Specific variables...*
Abiotic	n.a.
Biodiversity	Biology, dune systems, flora, methodologies, reintroduction, restoration/rehabilitation/redevelopment.
Socio-economic	Livestock and related impacts/Overgrazing.
Integrated monitoring	Impact and risk studies/Environmental impact.

Contact address	Andrew Bell North Devon Coast & Countryside Service Bideford Station, East the Water, Bideford EX39 4BB Devon United Kingdom
Telephone	+44 (0) 1237 423655
Fax
E-mail	andrew.bell@devon.gov.uk
Web site	MAB UK website

Last updated: 4/7/2009