Starlets get new home on north Norfolk coast
31 July 2010
The nationally protected starlet sea anemone population at the Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s (NWT’s) Cley Marshes were relocated earlier this month by Natural England to another part of the coastal nature reserve, in a bid to protect it from potential local extinctions.
The tiny creatures are less than an inch in size, yet their asexual reproduction, known as budding or fission, makes the starlet sea anemone of interest all over the world.
The starlet sea anemone population in Norfolk is restricted to saline marsh lagoons and ditches on the North Norfolk coast. Habitat change and the steady movement inland of the shingle ridge threatens the several thousand individuals in Half Moon Pond at NWT Cley Marshes. One large storm on a high tide could cause the loss of this lagoon.
It is likely that the population of starlet sea anemone in this pool would have been unable to disperse naturally, as there are no suitable lagoons nearby, so Natural England relocated the starlet sea anemones further along the coast and slightly inland to NWT Salthouse Marshes. Lagoons at this nature reserve provide the ideal habitat as they are connected through ditches, pools and extensive reedbeds and are similar temperature and salinity. They are likely to provide a lifespan of at least 10-15 years for the anemones.
A team of Natural England surveyors removed the anemones from Half Moon Pond sediment by filtering using a meshed sieve. They were then transferred into containers using pipettes where they were stored in water and silt from the pond and kept at the same temperature in a cool box for their journey to the donor lagoon.
Julia Masson, conservation adviser at Natural England, said: “This exercise is not intended to resolve the problem of coastal habitat change for starlet sea anemones. The changes to the shingle bank may create new habitat in the future and starlet sea anemone may well adapt to this changing environment.
“This project will give us breathing space to consider future plans for managing starlet sea anemone. Their robustness and apparent high adaptability bodes well for their ability to adapt to the dynamic coastal changes, this work will give us an insight into whether this is the case.”
Head of Nature Reserves for Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Matt Bradbury said: “We have been concerned about this rare and special Biodiversity Action Plan species since the decision was taken to stop the annual rebuilding of the Cley shingle ridge.
“We are delighted that Natural England are helping NWT to secure the future for the starlet sea anemone, for the time being at least. Unfortunately, we can expect more rare and important local species to be affected by climate change and corresponding changes in coastal management.”
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Notes to editors
About starlet sea anemone
The starlet sea anemone, Nematostella vectensis, is a small, burrowing anemone, usually found in brackish marshes. It is important for the study of development and evolution. In the UK, starlet sea anemone is listed as ‘vulnerable’ in the IUCN Red Data Book and is protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is also listed as a Biodiversity Action Plan priority species, both nationally and locally in Norfolk.
Starlet sea anemone can reproduce by sexual and asexual means. Sexual reproduction is via external gelatinous egg masses which are fertilised in the water. Larvae appear after a couple of days and once the first four tentacles appear, the larvae settles and grows into an adult. Asexual reproduction takes place by budding or fission from the adult from either the foot or head end. These sea anemones also have extensive capacity for regeneration, so if the two ends are separated: a new foot or head regenerates at the ‘missing’ end.
The Norfolk population is pre-dominantly of one genetic type: and without male sea anemones being found it seems likely that it is a female population and therefore highly likely to reproduce by budding (fission).
About Natural England
Natural England is the government’s independent advisor on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public.
Natural England established and care for England’s main wildlife sites, ensuring that over 3,500 National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest are looked after and improved.
Natural England work to ensure that England’s landscapes are effectively protected, designating England’s National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and Marine Conservation Zones, and advising widely on their conservation.
About the Norfolk Wildlife Trust
Norfolk Wildlife Trust was established in 1926. They care for 50 nature reserves and other protected sites around the county including ten kilometres of coastline, nine Norfolk broads, nine National Nature Reserves and five ancient woodlands and have a positive influence over a great deal of the Norfolk countryside through our planning and advisory functions.
For further information about Norfolk Wildlife Trust visit www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk
