A RESTORATION scheme aiming to revive valuable coastal defences and nationally significant wildlife habitats on the coast has been completed.

The pilot project, which is led by Essex Wildlife Trust and the Environment Agency, took place over the autumn when volunteers installed structures to encourage plant growth at Abbotts Hall Farm nature reserve, in Great Wigborough.

The aim of the project is to rescue Essex’s saltmarshes, which have been rapidly declining over recent years.

Each structure consists of rolls made from a sustainable coconut waste product, held together with rope and secured in the saltmarsh with chestnut stakes.

Rachel Langley, living seas co-ordinator at Essex Wildlife Trust, said: “Saltmarshes epitomise the Essex coastline and are valuable habitats for both wildlife and people, but their extent and quality is declining.

“Our joint project with the Environment Agency uses an experimental and low-cost approach to try and combat this degradation and our volunteers have been key in implementing this project.”

Rising sea levels, development and an increase in the number of storms have led to the erosion of the county’s saltmarsh habitat over the last 25 years.

It is believed 1,000 hectares of saltmarsh – roughly the size of 1,000 rugby fields – have been lost over this period.

The habitats are extremely important to Essex’s native wildlife, and are often home to nationally scarce plants, insects, juvenile fish species and internationally important numbers of birds, such as shoveler and dark-bellied brent geese.

Ms Langley added: “We hope these coir roll structures will make a valuable contribution in restoring and protecting these important habitats for wildlife and for people.”