2011 Natural England (NE) Chesil and the Fleet Survey of Shingle Springline Communities

A preliminary survey of Shingle Springline Communities in the Fleet was undertaken in the summer and early autumn of 2011. These springline communities were identified as a qualifying sub-feature of the Chesil and the Fleet European Marine Site by English Nature but the extent of the habitat remained unknown, neither was a methodology for surveying this sub-feature established at that time. The aims of the present project were therefore: To develop a sampling methodology for the spring communities, compare mollusc species found in 2011 with work reported in 1989, identify other invertebrate species where possible. Two types of spring, and hence two types of springline community were found to be present on the Chesil Bank shore of the Fleet: Fast flowing springs – eastern Fleet, less active springs (seeps) – western Fleet.