Pendower Sand Dunes
Pendower Dunes is one of the sites included in the Making Space for Sand project (MS4S). The aim of Making Space for Sand is about helping to build resilience to the impacts associated with climate change, rising seas, coastal flooding and erosion. It is supporting and working with coastal communities to help them understand the future impacts of coastal change and improve the health and biodiversity of their dune systems. The ultimate aim is to create space to allow the dunes to build and roll back, adopting a more ecosystem approach to dune management and reduce coastal vulnerability.
As part of the project’s work to understand the current health of the dune system and inform dune management plans, MS4S has commissioned Cornwall Environmental Consultants to undertake ecological survey of the Pendower dunes (Pendower - Making Space for sand). This has recorded some areas showing signs of embryonic dune growth behind the beach, with ‘early successional’ plants such as Sea Rocket and Marram Grass present. Further into the dunes there are common dune grassland plants such as Red Fescue, Stork’s Bill, Dove’s Foot Crane’s Bill and Buck’s Horn Plantain, as well as reed beds in the wetter areas. Historical records also indicate the presence of the nationally scare Shore Dock at Pendower. Unfortunately, there are also invasive species of plants here, such as Japanese Rose; a plant that is problematic in many of Cornwall’s sand dunes.
The importance of coastal dunes has been highlighted by the Biodiversity Gains Requirements (Irreplaceable Habitat) Regulations 2024, which lists them as one of the eight irreplaceable habitats in England, making them truly distinctive in their importance and their capacity to host protected flora and fauna species. However, threats to the dunes at Pendower from erosion and a lack of management could lead to the loss of this significant habitat. By enhancing the dunes through work such as marram grass planting, invasive species removal and scrub and bracken control, their condition could be improved. This would help make them more resilient and adaptable to change, increasing the chances of retaining this important habitat.
The Making Space for Sand project is being led by Cornwall Council, and is working in partnership with Cornwall Wildlife Trust, University of Plymouth, South West Coastal Monitoring and Cornwall Community Flood Forum.
To find out more about how our coastline may change in the future please visit the Making Space for Sand project website:
