| SSSI / ASSI | Designated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to protect land of special interest for its flora, fauna, or geological features. ASSI is the equivalent designation used in Northern Ireland. |
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| NNR | Nationally important sites representing the best examples of habitats and geological features. NNR designation provides a high level of legal protection and supports research and education. |
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| LNR | Sites designated by local authorities under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. They provide opportunities for nature conservation alongside public access and recreation. |
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| SAC | Internationally important sites designated under the Habitats Directive (1992) to protect rare habitats and species. Together with SPAs, they form the Natura 2000 network and may extend offshore. |
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| SPA | Designated under the Birds Directive (1979) to protect rare, vulnerable, and migratory bird species and their habitats. SPAs form part of the wider Natura 2000 network. |
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| Ramsar Site | Wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention. These sites support biodiversity, water regulation, and important bird populations. |
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| EPS | Species listed under the Habitats Directive (Annex IV) and strictly protected in the UK. Legal protection covers the species themselves as well as their breeding and resting places. |
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| UK BAP | A national framework developed in response to the Convention on Biological Diversity (1992), identifying priority habitats and species requiring conservation action. |
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| Section 41 | A list of habitats and species of principal importance in England under the NERC Act 2006. Public authorities must consider these when carrying out their duties. |
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| Accretion | The natural accumulation of sediment, such as sand or silt, through wind or tidal processes, resulting in the formation or growth of coastal features. |
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| Erosion | The wearing away and removal of land or sediment by wind, wave, or tidal action, often leading to the loss of beaches, dunes, or cliffs. |
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| Eutrophication | The enrichment of water with nutrients (particularly nitrogen and phosphorus), leading to excessive plant and algal growth and reduced water quality. |
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| Anthropogenic | Describes processes or impacts resulting from human activities, including development, land use change, pollution, and coastal engineering. |
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| Sand Deposition | The transport and settling of sand by wind and tidal processes, contributing to the formation and movement of coastal landforms. |
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