Marine geoconservation in the United Kingdom

Although the conservation of geological and geomorphological features is a well-established practice in the UK, the conservation of such features in the marine environment has been largely ignored until recently. The provisions made for conserving biodiversity in The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 and Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 provide for the conservation of geological and geomorphological features, whilst similar provisions are currently going through the Northern Ireland Assembly in the Northern Ireland Marine Bill. The importance of such features within the marine environment, their interactions with biological features and processes and their value in complimenting terrestrial features, particularly in relation to our understanding of events during the Quaternary, are explored. Opportunities for the conservation of these features under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 are reviewed in particular, as are a range of methodologies for their identification. The use of stakeholder groups in the selection and inclusion of these features in English inshore and offshore, and Welsh offshore areas are discussed. Some of the challenges that emerged during this process are highlighted, in particular that of communicating an understanding of the significance, value and vulnerability of geological and geomorphological features. The development of coastal access in England and Wales provides opportunities for improving public understanding of geology and geomorphology in the marine environment through its promotion and interpretation on the coast. This and other initiatives that raise awareness of these features may provide future support for their inclusion in any future revision of Marine Conservation Zones.