Britain's estuaries form a substantial part of the coastline. They are important and irreplaceable habitats, especially for wading birds, ducks and geese.

But a large proportion of our industry and transport infrastructure is also located on their tidal shores, and estuaries remain especially vulnerable to development.

Land claim in estuaries
Major land claim in many estuaries has destroyed wildlife habitats and resulted in large areas of salt-marsh and mudflats being covered in concrete for housing or industry.

Estuaries are also threatened by marinas and intrusive moorings. Further developments include dredging and intensive shellfish farming in the intertidal zone.

Safeguarding our estuaries
In the light of such multiple pressures, it is clear that the National Trust, along with organisations such as English Nature, the RSPB and local interest groups, must continue to play a significant role in safeguarding our estuaries and the wildlife that depends on them.

Indeed, the urgent need for protection has led to an increase in the number of acquisitions that the Trust, through the Neptune Coastline Campaign, has made along estuaries in recent years.