The Status and Distribution of the Strandline Beetle Eurynebria complanata on Whiteford Burrows, Cefn Sidan, Laugharne & Pendine Burrows and Frainslake Sands, Castlemartin in 2016.
The Strandline Beetle Eurynebria complanata was recently classified as Endangered following a decline that has led to an apparent retreat in its Great Britain range to a few beaches in Carmarthen Bay. Even here, recent counts have indicated that the population might be at a critically low level. The beetle is an indicator of the health of strandline communities, which include a range of rare and scarce species likely to be similarly threatened. The main aim of this study was to survey sites in South Wales in 2016 in order to determine the current status of E. complanata and inform management of strandline habitats. Repeat visits to key sites were undertaken to assess spatial and temporal changes. Strandline Beetle was found at just four sites, all in Carmarthen Bay, with peak counts in June of 328 adults on Whiteford Burrows, 211 adults on Cefn Sidan, 288 adults on Laugharne-Pendine Burrows and one adult on Broughton Burrows, providing a total Welsh count of 828 beetles. At a landscape scale, the results of the study found that of the 27.5km of beach, made up by the three main occupied beach units in Carmarthen Bay, only 17km (i.e. 62%) were considered as being in favourable condition for E. complanata in 2016. Perhaps, given the dynamic nature of the habitat, this is what might be expected for such expansive areas of mobile beach. Therefore, it would appear that the bay currently provides a stable stronghold and maintaining population viability should be an urgent conservation priority. Military restrictions are likely to have been instrumental in preventing excessive loss of beach debris at Tywyn Point (Cefn Sidan) and Laugharne-Pendine Burrows, whilst the comparative scarcity of debris at Whiteford suggests there is a higher level of vulnerability, despite the presence of a strong population during 2016. It was found that accreting dunes supported the healthiest populations of E. complanata. The associated NVC communities of SD2 and SD4 provide very useful indicators of good habitat quality and those beaches with wider profiles of these communities invariably provided the best habitat for E. complanata. Stable dune fronts, typically characterised by SD6 vegetation were also occupied by E. complanata, but in lower numbers and always with good SD2 and SD4 beach sections nearby. Wooden items made up 64% of refuges used by adult beetles, with plastics making up 24%. This is in contrast to the few previous studies suggesting that the species is probably more dependent on niches provided by beach items rather than item types. Beaches dominated by shingle ridges would appear to be unsuitable for the larval stages, but may be important for adults, especially during periods when beach debris is scarce. Extant populations of E. complanata are likely to be sufficiently large and fluid enough to enable natural recolonisation to occur with Carmarthen Bay, with the beaches of West Gower and Pembrey Burrows being particularly well placed to benefit from remedial action. Measures might include the provision of interpretation to encourage a responsible attitude (and possibly self-policing) amongst beach users; and the provision of supplementary refuges (where necessary) appropriate to each site. It is critical to maintain populations of Strandline Beetle on Cefn Sidan, Laugharne-Pendine Burrows and Whiteford Burrows in favourable condition in order to safeguard the beetle as a UK species. This will require a cessation of debris removal on Whiteford Burrows. It is recommended that colonisation of Broughton Burrows should be encouraged by providing additional refuges and informing the public as to the importance of the beetle.
- Identification
- Extent
- Distribution
- Quality
- Keywords
- Spatial Reference System
- Content
- Constraints
- Maintenance
- Metadata
Identification
- Identifier
- NRW_DS116830
- Alternative Title
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- Statws a Dosbarthiad y Chwilen Draeth Eurynebria complanata ar Dwyni Whiteford, Cefn Sidan, Twyni Talacharn a Phentywyn a Thraeth Frainslake, Castellmartin yn 2016.
- Metadata Language
- English
- Lineage
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Sampling techniques included visual searches, undertaken by competent surveyors.
- Additional Information
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Stewart, B., (2017), The status and distribution of the Strandline Beetle Eurynebria complanata on Whiteford Burrows, Cefn Sidan, Laugharne & Pendine Burrows and Frainslake Sands, Castlemartin in 2016, NRW Report No. 189 80pp., Natural Resources Wales, Bangor.
- Dataset Reference Date (Publication)
- 2017-02-28
Temporal Extent
- Begin date
- 2016-05-26
- End date
- 2016-11-06
- Topic category
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- Biota
Extent
Extent
- Geographic Extent
- BRO MORGANNWG - THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN
- Geographic Extent
- SIR GAERFYRDDIN - CARMARTHENSHIRE
- Geographic Extent
- SIR BENFRO - PEMBROKESHIRE
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Distribution
Distribution
- Format Type and Description
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Database
()
- Specification
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[A] The final report in Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF formats. [B] Species records, which are held on the NRW Recorder 6 database.
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Database
()
- Resource Locator
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Data Download
World Wide Web page
Quality
Data quality
- Quality Scope
- Dataset
- Lineage
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Sampling techniques included visual searches, undertaken by competent surveyors.
Keywords
Keywords
- Type
- Theme
Citation
- Date (Publication)
- 2008-06-01
Keywords
- NRW Thesaurus
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- strandline beetle
- eurynebria complanata
- strandlines
- Type
- Theme
Citation
- Date (Publication)
- 2023-12-31
Spatial Reference System
Content
Content Information
NRW Profile
Custom Elements
- NRW Related Title
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The status and distribution of the Strandline Beetle Eurynebria complanata on Whiteford Burrows, Cefn Sidan, Laugharne & Pendine Burrows and Frainslake Sands, Castlemartin in 2016
Constraints
Constraints
Limitations on Public Access and Use
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Access Constraints Directive
- Limitations
- no limitations
Access Constraints Text
- Other constraints
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There are no access restrictions to this data. NRW may release, publish or disseminate it freely.
Use Constraints
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© CNC/NRW Data may be re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence providing it is done so, acknowledging both the source and NRW's copyright. It is the recipient's responsibility to ensure the data is fit for the intended purpose.
Attribution Statement
- Other constraints
- Open Government Licence (OGL)
Licence
- Other constraints
- Open Government Licence (OGL)
Metadata
Metadata
- File Identifier
- 4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313136383330 XML
- Metadata Language
- English
- Resource type
- Dataset
- Metadata Date
- 2024-05-31T09:40:56.334Z
- Metadata Standard Name
- NRW
- Metadata Standard Version
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1.0