Solent Seas

WHAT IS THE SOLENT?

The Solent is a waterway around 15-20 miles long in the English Channel that runs in along mainland Hampshire and out to the Isle of Wight. The Solent is a major shipping area for many different types of vessels, and is actually one of the most used in the UK. It has a complex tidal pattern, which has been beneficial to its ports as it provides a “double high tide” which increases the opportunities for deep-draught ships to dock

SOLENT HABITAT

The Solent Seas are vast and beaming with life, all of which makes up a very important ecosystem in Hampshire. The Solent itself is of great ecological importance, mainly because of its estuary habitats, and actually has most of its coastal areas formally classed as Special Areas of Conservation.

As well as a huge variety of habitats on land, Solent seas can vary just as much and hosts a wide range of habitats for its creatures and ecosystems. The main categories are coastal, marine, freshwater,  and wetlands – but also include reefs, rockpools, kelp beds, sea forests, sand and even deep-water corals!