Case study: tourism in Studland Bay Nature Reserve

Studland Bay is located in the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset and is popular with tourists. It can be accessed by ferry from the desirable area of Sandbanks in Poole during the summer, and is only a few minutes drive from the resort of Swanage. Most visitors arrive by car.

The issues

Studland Beach

• The nature reserve is an area of sand dunes, which are dynamic, but often unstable and vulnerable environments.
• Areas such as this are valuable ecologically and are home to rare species of plants and birds.
• The area is attractive to tourists for the dunes and the beach in front; it is a wide sandy beach and can get very crowded in the summer months.
• Visitors need somewhere to park, and also demand other facilities.
• Tourists bring their problems such as litter and fire hazards in the dunes from barbecues and cigarette ends.

How is the area managed?

• Vulnerable areas and those recently planted with marram grass to stabilise the dunes are fenced off to limit access and therefore damage.
• Boardwalks have been laid through the dunes to focus tourists onto specific paths.
• Car parks have been provided and people are not permitted to drive onto the beach.
• Fire beaters are positioned within the dune area in case of a fire.
• A shop, café, toilets and litter bins are provided near the car parks to focus tourists into one area.
• Information boards are present to educate visitors about the nature and value of the environment and how to respect it.

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