Description

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“Saltmarshes are often remote, inhospitable places, neither land nor sea, as hard to pin down as they are to navigate. In this saline odyssey, Clive Chatters has explored his favourite creeks, pools and mudflats to bring us an absorbing celebration of the ecology, biology, geology and history of this scarce and mysterious habitat. There are Tadpole Shrimps, and rare sedges, waders and Wild Celery – even inland saltmarshes – in this tour de force by a superb naturalist and writer.“
BRETT WESTWOOD, naturalist, author and radio presenter


Saltmarshes are among Britain's most diverse and dynamic landscapes. They abound around our shores but may also be found inland and at altitude – wherever water, salt and vegetation combine. The species they support range from extreme rarities of specialised habitats to the less demanding denizens of coastal wetlands. Here is a landscape of international importance for migratory birds, endemic plants and an exceptional variety of invertebrates.

Clive Chatters has a lifetime's affinity with saltmarshes. In this fifth volume of the British Wildlife Collection, he celebrates their natural history and diversity, from the highly distinctive marshes in the Scottish Highlands to the urban remnants of the Thames estuary now engulfed within the capital. By examining the past of these complex habitats, we can gain an insight into how they have developed, and an understanding of their relationship with people. In addition to their exceptionally diverse natural history, saltmarshes are sources of food and medicine, they play a pivotal role in flood defence and carbon sequestration, and have inspired artistic endeavour.

About the Author

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Clive Chatters lives and works in the New Forest, England's largest and most complete heathland landscape. He has spent his career in the front line of nature conservation, in both the statutory and charitable sectors. He is first and foremost a naturalist who enjoys exploring the British countryside and researching the history of how it has been shaped. Clive has written widely, including the Saltmarsh volume earlier in the series.

Praise For…

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“A detailed and wide-ranging look at the natural history and diversity of one of Britain's most ecologically important landscapes.” —The Countryman

“A remarkable book ... Chatters writes with authority and eloquence on an enormous range of topics and draws from an impressive range of sources.” —British Wildlife

“Clive Chatters has maintained the standard in this excellent new book which deals with an often remote and slightly inhospitable habitat that attracts wildlife in droves. As the series names suggests, the focus is strongly on British examples but the author roams the country widely and brings the marshes he visits vividly to life. Splendid stuff.” —BES Bulletin

“The stories Clive Chatters tells are based on decades of first-hand experience and extensive research, and he is to be congratulated on a superb read ... hard to put down.” —BSBI News

“Well researched and well-illustrated throughout ... contains a wealth of information about its subject matter, focusing on the wildlife, history, development and past and future conservation of this marginal coastal habitat.” —BTO