Of the saltmarsh stages on the NNR, mid and upper-marsh communities are well represented. Much of the most recent pioneer marsh has developed rapidly, eg compt 1/1 and this phase now comprises a small proportion of the whole saltmarsh resource.  Due to the extensive reclamation of saltmarsh frontage, upper marsh communities are comparatively scarce in the Wash system. Examples of ungrazed upper saltmarsh are particularly rare and are notable for supporting an important invertebrate fauna, particularly of the arachnida, lepidoptera, diptera and coleoptera.  At Gibraltar Point, there are records to suggest that there was limited saltmarsh grazing by sheep around the early 1900’s, but this may have related to the marshes west of the river Steeping.  Thus policy for saltmarsh management at Gibraltar Point is not to manage with livestock.  However, rabbit grazing has influenced the development of some areas, particularly along the margins.

The lack of pioneer saltmarsh development may be a cause for concern and demonstrate the change along this stretch of coast from an accretion situation to one of erosion, with the landward retreat of the low water mark.  Indeed, saltmarsh erosion is evident in compt 1/1.  Between 1971 and 1985, there was a net reduction of 83 hectares of Wash saltmarsh.  The Lincolnshire Biodiversity Action Plan proposes that 140 ha of saltmarsh should be recreated to offset predicted losses in Lincolnshire by 2010.

In contrast to dune habitat, the scope for recreating saltmarsh habitat along the Wash hinterland is high, pending a review of the Environment Agency shoreline management plan and favourable input by Local Flood Defence Committee.  A recent initiative by EA and RSPB will culminate in the recreation of 80 ha of saltmarsh at Frieston shore.

The Trust need to have an input into shoreline management planning and coastal habitat action plans and continue liaison with Environment Agency over the potential for coastal habitat restoration in the north-west sector of the Wash.

Elsewhere, it is important that all saltmarsh habitat is protected.  In the Gibraltar Point hinterland, an area of saltmarsh exists along the River Steeping tidal channel.  This falls outside the SSSI or SAC and its value ought to be reviewed.

Whilst there is open access across much of the saltmarsh on the NNR, there are restrictions in place at the south end, where areas of saltmarsh are incorporated in the shorebird sanctuary during the peak visitor season.  This is advantageous as it deters visitors from venturing into an area of potentially hazardous creeks or moving further out into the estuary.  A low guiding fence is maintained along the Storm Ridge (compt 1/24/B) throughout the year.  Access onto the Old Saltmarsh (compt 1/2 & 1/3) is discouraged by the provision of a good walking surface on the South Marsh road and low post and wire guide fence along its edges.  Visitor pressure on the New Saltmarsh has resulted in the wearing of a track from the Sleeper Track to the beach, following the edge of the shorebird sanctuary.  Whilst this concentrates pedestrian traffic, the extent of bare ground is likely to expand over time.  Measures will be taken to redirect visitors if their impact becomes unacceptable.  Visitor pressure is monitored on saltmarsh adjacent to the Field Station and along the river edge.  These stretches may suffer greater pressure through use by school groups, yacht club activity and visitors attracted to the river edge.  Measures will be taken if excessive damage is caused here, with particular regard to the sea wormwood Artemisia maritimum outcrops.  The survival of this plant is crucial for the dependent scarce pug Eupithecia extensaria population.  Whilst it appears to persist quite well in the stands of couch, monitoring is necessary to detect any unacceptable loss in coverage.  Restorative management may involve scraping couch off small areas adjacent, to allow re-establishment of seedlings.  Sea wormwood has responded particularly well to an area of marsh disturbed by the installation of a sewerage pipe in compartment 1/41.  A previous mowing experiment was unsuccessful.

At the Seacroft end of the NNR and on the SSSI extending northward, there are perennial problems associated with samphire pickers who gather vanloads of samphire and annual sea blite (erroneously?) on a commercial scale.  Wardening cover is very limited at the north end of the NNR and there is presently little proactive involvement from the local authority on their part of the SAC. Information concerning such incidents is usually reliant upon Seacroft residents, but is usually tardy.

Perhaps of greater concern to the integrity of the saltmarsh in this area, is the regular use of off- road vehicles including trials bikes, ATV’s and four-wheel drives.  The damage caused to the saltmarsh remains apparent for years in the form of tracks, and the disturbance caused to nesting birds is equally unacceptable.  The profile of this problem has been raised with EN and ELDC and has resulted in the installation of signs at main access points.  Stronger involvement and action from the police is presently being pursued, with particular assistance from the Wildlife Liaison Officer.  SAC and CRoW legislation may provide the necessary mechanisms to effect adequate prosecutions.

Of all the intertidal habitats which may be affected by a pollution event, saltmarsh is the most sensitive where oil or chemical spills are involved.  For the most part, clean up operations are not widely advocated on this habitat due to the likelihood of damage being caused.  Staff at Gibraltar Point service the Trusts emergency planning team and are trained to follow certain procedures in the event of an emergency/pollution situation.  It is necessary to maintain links with the emergency services to review plans for dealing with pollution incidents.

Litter clearances are scheduled for spring and autumn, but may be required at additional times as the need arises.  The volume of sanitary material has reduced in recent years in line with EA water quality directives.  However a large volume of marine borne refuse is still apparent.  Much of this is plastic and glass which can be recycled.  Wildlife Trusts are pressing for tighter restrictions on dumping at sea and it is hoped that tighter port regulations and increased waste disposal facilities in ports will assist.

Navigate with Nature is an initiative to promote respect for coastal waters by recreational traffic.

Saltmarshes are important in flood defence terms in absorbing tidal energy over large area of intertidal (long term prospects for saltmarsh are not good due to coastal squeeze and to make good predicted losses - pursue farmland).  However, they are prone to vehicular damage and problems exist involving trail bikes and quads at Seacroft.

Around the Wash, English Nature have restored grazing of saltmarsh where it has been practised historically and this assists with the maintenance of floristic diversity, appropriate sward structure for breeding waders and wintering wildfowl.  At Gibraltar Point, there is no history of extensive saltmarsh grazing and the policy has been to allow the development of a natural response. Ungrazed upper saltmarsh is invaluable to invertebrates (Kirby).  Thus, the habitat management option is of no intervention.  However, limited intervention is advocated at the saltmarsh/dune edge, where scrub removal may be required to perpetuate transitional communities.