Lost landscapes of Plymouth: historical land reclamation and coastal urbanisation continue to shape Britain's ocean city

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dc.check.date2027-01-22en
dc.check.infoAccess to this article is restricted until 18 months after publication by request of the publisheren
dc.contributor.authorFirth, Louise B.en
dc.contributor.authorJones, Emma L.en
dc.contributor.authorChai, Tiffanyen
dc.contributor.authorKamaruzzaman, Haizqalen
dc.contributor.authorPanes, Josephen
dc.contributor.authorMaudlin, Danielen
dc.contributor.authorBauer, Franzen
dc.contributor.authorHu, Yueen
dc.contributor.authorRead, Martinen
dc.contributor.authorStephen, Natashaen
dc.contributor.authorKnights, Antony M.en
dc.contributor.authorAllen, Jessicaen
dc.contributor.authorCawkwell, Fionaen
dc.contributor.authorFenberg, Phillip B.en
dc.contributor.authorFirth, Antonyen
dc.contributor.authorFoggo, Andyen
dc.contributor.authorGriffin, John N.en
dc.contributor.authorHanley, Mick E.en
dc.contributor.authorHawkins, Stephen J.en
dc.contributor.authorHolloway, Paulen
dc.contributor.authorLemasson, Anaƫlle J.en
dc.contributor.authorMcquatters-Gollop, Abigailen
dc.contributor.authorMorstang, Heidien
dc.contributor.authorPerkins, Matthew J.en
dc.contributor.authorSturgeon, Ameliaen
dc.contributor.authorThompson, Richard C.en
dc.contributor.authorThurstan, Ruthen
dc.contributor.authorSengupta, Dhritirajen
dc.contributor.editorRussell, B. D.en
dc.contributor.editorTodd, P. A.en
dc.contributor.funderUniversity of Plymouthen
dc.contributor.funderUniversity College Corken
dc.contributor.funderHistoric Englanden
dc.contributor.funderNatural Environment Research Councilen
dc.date.accessioned2025-09-12T08:56:19Z
dc.date.available2025-09-12T08:56:19Z
dc.date.issued2025-07-22en
dc.description.abstractCoastal cities worldwide face increasing vulnerability to erosion, storm damage, flooding and sea level rise. Many are partially situated on reclaimed land, and the transformation of coastal and estuarine habitats into hard infrastructure has led to significant losses of vital wetlands and intertidal habitats, impacting biodiversity and ecosystem service provision. Shifting Baseline Syndrome-the lack of awareness of the historical existence and extent due to changes in human perception-complicates conservation efforts. Using Plymouth, UK, as a case study, we used a combination of historical maps, satellite imagery and published works to characterise and quantify historical transformations of the coastline. We estimated that approximately 800 hectares of land have been reclaimed in Plymouth Sound and its estuaries since the medieval period (~1200 years CE). Land reclamation occurred for various purposes, including agriculture, milling, urban expansion, infrastructure development and industrialisation. A survey of Plymouth residents revealed limited understanding of local land reclamation history, with the majority unaware of the extent and impact of past transformations. Longer-term residents showed greater awareness, highlighting evidence of Shifting Baseline Syndrome. Additionally, we assessed the multifunctional potential of coastal structures along the Plymouth Hoe foreshore, revealing their historical significance and ecological value. Many structures supported diverse marine life, serving as valuable habitat while simultaneously supporting human activities (e.g. swimming, access and fishing). Understanding the cultural and natural heritage value and historical context of coastal structures can inform conservation and management efforts in urban coastal areas. Greater public awareness of past transformations and their ecological consequences is essential for informed decision-making and sustainable coastal management globally.en
dc.description.sponsorshipUniversity of Plymouth and University College Cork (Doctoral Training Partnership fund)en
dc.description.statusPeer revieweden
dc.description.versionAccepted Versionen
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.citationFirth, L. B., Jones, E. L., Chai, T., Kamaruzzaman, H., Panes, J., Maudlin, D., Bauer, F., Hu, Y., Read, M., Stephen, N. and Knights, A. M. (2025) 'Lost landscapes of Plymouth: historical Land reclamation and coastal urbanisation continue to shape Britain's ocean city', in Russell, B. D. and Todd, P. A. (eds.) Oceanography and Marine Biology. Boca Raton: CRC Press, pp. 194-228. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003589600-6en
dc.identifier.doi10.1201/9781003589600-6en
dc.identifier.endpage228en
dc.identifier.isbn9781003589600en
dc.identifier.startpage194en
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10468/17860
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherCRC Pressen
dc.relation.ispartofOceanography and Marine Biologyen
dc.rightsĀ© 2025, CRC Press. This is an Accepted Manuscript of a book chapter published by CRC Press in Russell, B. D. and Todd, P. A. (eds.) Oceanography and Marine Biology, available online: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003589600-6en
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/en
dc.subjectArtificial structuresen
dc.subjectBiodiversityen
dc.subjectCultural heritageen
dc.subjectHabitat alterationen
dc.subjectLand reclamationen
dc.subjectShifting baseline syndromeen
dc.titleLost landscapes of Plymouth: historical land reclamation and coastal urbanisation continue to shape Britain's ocean cityen
dc.typeBook chapteren
dc.typebook-chapteren
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