Abstract
The coast of Holy Island, situated off the Isle of Anglesey, Wales, is recognised for its geological, biological, cultural, aesthetic and recreational values by multiple conservation designations. The ecological functions of geology, climate, soil, biota, human history and current management in shaping this landscape are outlined. Much of the site is now managed by the RSPB as their “South Stack” nature reserve. The challenge of addressing the sometimes conflicting objectives of diverse interests in an iconic landscape is described. Solutions have developed through monitoring of key features and understanding of ecological relationships and through close liaison between local managers and the various communities of interest. In the process pioneering approaches have been developed which are now accepted practice elsewhere.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bateson D, Shaw D (2013) RSPB South Stack Cliffs Nature Reserve Annual Report (unpublished)
BirdLife International (2014) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Glannau Ynys Gybi/Holy Island Coast. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 27/04/2014
Countryside Council for Wales (2009) Glannau Ynys Gybi Special Area of Conservation UK0013046. European Dry Heaths H4030 Vegetated Sea Cliffs of The Atlantic and Baltic Coasts H1230 Northern Atlantic Wet Heaths with Erica tetralix H4010. SAC Monitoring Report, Bangor
Goldsmith FB (1973a) The vegetation of exposed Sea cliffs at south stack, Anglesey: I. The multivariate approach. J Ecol 61(3):787–818
Goldsmith FB (1973b) The vegetation of exposed Sea cliffs at south stack, Anglesey: II. Experimental studies. J Ecol 61(3):819–829
Greenly E (1919) The Geology of Anglesey. HMSO, London
Mitchley J, Malloch AJC (1991) Sea Cliff Management Handbook. University of Lancaster
Oates M (1999) Sea cliff slopes and combes – their management for nature conservation. Br Wildl 10(6):394–402
Ratcliffe DA (1977) Ed. A Nature Conservation Review. C.U.P
Ratcliffe J B (2013) Glannau Ynys Gybi SSSI; Mynydd Twr grazing surveillance. Unpublished report to Natural Resources Wales, Bangor
Roberts E (1958) The County of Anglesey, Soils and Agriculture. HMSO, London
Acknowledgments
We thank Alastair Moralee of the RSPB for many stimulating discussions on the management of this area and the constructive comments of an anonymous reviewer.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ratcliffe, J.B., Bateson, D.M. Holy Island coast, Anglesey: a review of conservation management, issues and solutions. J Coast Conserv 19, 875–883 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-014-0348-6
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-014-0348-6