Southampton Water

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Southampton Water:

An estuary where the rivers Test and Itchen meet - an example of a ria

One of the countries leading ports, dealing with containers and cruise ships

UKs second busiest container port

Huge advantages for industry including - sheltered from storms in the English Channel, it has deepwater channels for large ships, around the estuary is a broad area of flat land that can be developed

Pressures on Southampton Water:

Growth of employment in Southampton has led to the expansion of suburbs and villges close to the estuary. The growth is squeezed between the New Forest National Park and Southampton Water. As new homes are built developers face problems trying to build either along shore or into the New Forest

Along the western edge is a large area of salt marsh where industrial development has taken place for oil refining

New housing and development creates problems of sewage disposal

Southampton Water is the most important area of the UK for sailing and leisure craft; thousands of leisure boats moore there and boatyards occupy the waterfront

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SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) Analysis:

Strengths:

Salt marshes - unique environments - unique habitats

SSSI's - Sites of Special Scientific Interest - huge numers of marine species

50,000 trees/shrubs planted

National Park - New Forest

3000 employed at oil refineries

Deep water channel for large ships

Sheltered from prevailing winds

Transport links

Weaknesses:

Big city - developed land - trade - oil refineries - housing close to salt marshes - SSSI's

Salt marshes impossible to build on (very costly, flood prone, protectected environmental)

Possible environmental effects

Opportunities:

One of the last salt marshes in the UK - easier to protect

Study environment - scientific research, tourism

May be redeveloped - oil refineries/ports

Threats:

Pollution damaging salt marsh environments

Waste from oil refineries

Redevelopment of salt marshes

Environmentalists