‘This funny place’: Uncovering the ambiguity of saltmarshes using a multimodal approach

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on Journal blog. A saltmarsh is ‘a miraculous, wild ecosystem—as biologically productive as tropical rainforest, subtly coloured medieval tapestry’ (Macfarlane, 2019). These intertidal wetlands are formed by salt-tolerant plants in sheltered coastlines around world, particularly mid-latitudes. Covering more than 48,000 ha of Great Britain's coastline, they provide habitats diverse flora and fauna including invertebrates, young fish, wading birds (Barbier et al., 2011; MCCIP, 2018). They also wave attenuation, reduce flood risk, filter pollutants important carbon sinks due to high sedimentation rates, soil content burial organic matter (MCCIP, However, saltmarshes at risk because their growth often truncated trapped between rising seas sea defences (known ‘coastal squeeze’), face pressures from climate change way sea-level rise, increased storminess changes precipitation, river flow temperature (Bertness 2004; Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005a; While scientists increasingly recognise range ecological benefits offer (Millennium 2005a), little known about how publics perceive these habitats, importance non-material aspects human well-being cultural values that stand be affected them (Rodrigues 2017). The few existing studies have tended use a quantitative approach (Curado 2014; McKinley 2020) or focus can accounted monetarily Burkhard Himes-Cornell recent study with landowners Māori environmental guardians provided insights into (including kinship, stewardship, attachment place) associated New Zealand (Bataille 2021), but research has focused wider shown limited awareness potential 2020). As under pressure, there an increasing need understand environments valued may impact people. Understanding influence—and influenced by—the ways which people interact places therefore gain (or not) (Fish 2016; Pascual Furthermore, shape management decisions, choice coastal interventions being ‘the distinct vested interests different stakeholders’ (Chakraborty al. 2020, p. 1), turn affect (e.g. Chan 2019) environment. To our knowledge, ours first in-depth qualitative explore members public hold association saltmarshes. We used multimodal methodology intangible places—that is, those difficult articulate, classify, measure trade-off against each other Satterfield 2013); overlooked decision-makers Dieckmann 2021). Within CES community (Chan 2018) policy platforms (Pascual 2017), concept relational shaped discussions human–environment interactions. Relational about, based on, meaning-saturated relationships represent preferences, principles virtues interpersonal ‘nature’ others, make good life 2016). In such coasts, ‘always process becoming through heterogeneous interrelations’ (Leyshon, 2018: 155), focusing place important, useful decision-making wetland particular 2021; Kim framework, thought emerging situated interactions personal, social, institutional biophysical processes (see Atkinson, 2013; Conradson, 2005; West interactions—and stems these—change over time. occur become less capable benefit environment, physical abilities, skills rights, confidence personal judgements (Fischer & Eastwood, Fish Robeyns, person's experiences (Conradson, 2005) embedded sociocultural practices (e.g., Rietveld Kiverstein, 2014). significance ‘blue spaces’ (rivers, lakes coasts) been acknowledged some time (Herzog, 1985; W. 2010) coasts recognised strong symbolic therapeutic value Bell 2015; Poe not all blue spaces same, quite differently environments. For example Elliott (2018) found visits beaches were undertaken spectrum demographics Indeed, showing do same everyone. Importantly, (2019) discuss excluded salutogenic effects while Pitt highlights elements ‘wateriness’ (submersion, slipperiness) disenabling. literatures discussion ambiguity spaces, suggests generate ‘different, even contradictory dispositions’ (Pitt, 2018, 169). Ambiguity describes state open one interpretation having obvious meaning (Oxford English Dictionary, 2005). Something ambiguous when it understood way, lead uncertainty and/or confusion (Cambridge date, nascent interest ‘ambiguous places’ health coastlines. vein, Collins Kearns (2007) coined term landscapes’ describe tensions beachgoing risks skin cancer Zealand, Foley (2017: 49) described joy ‘simultaneous outcomes’ swimming. yet context implications ecosystems. Saltmarshes major estuaries inlets Welsh coast, totalling 7–8,000 (Natural Resources Wales, Our case sites (the Taf Estuary Carmarthenshire Mawddach Gwynedd, Figure 1) chosen consortium researchers (CoastWEB, modellers economists. appropriate people's access (for data collection), contrast north south Wales (with language culture variances) residential areas close participant recruitment. would expect representative environments, heavily grazed marshes south-east coast England Kent, Norfolk) where tend larger experience erosion, relative levels quickly (Ladd, small, funnel-shaped, macro-tidal estuary covering approximately 8.65 km2 home four total area 279 (Bennett River rises Preseli Hills flows 50 km Carmarthen Bay near town Laugharne, we research. Laugharne perhaps most famed its connections poet Dylan Thomas, who lived town, natural beauty heritage. At cockle industry was cornerstone local economy, since dramatically declined, edible marine bivalves still play role traditions: new Portreeve highest ranking official town's corporation) sworn in, he draped gold chain cockles carried hall (Misstear, 2015). covers 10 within Snowdonia National Park (Robins, 2011). Around 219 (Boorman, 2003). addition boasting reputation striking scenery, rich industrial history mining, ship building operations timber, slate, tanning agriculture, significantly impacted surrounding landscape Gwynedd Archaeological Trust, Today, very visible traces industrialised past waterside, tourism agriculture now form core economy. rivers both varied landscapes wide, sandy similar size (Roberts lie sediment cells thus subject Shoreline Management Plans (Ballinger Dodds, approaches management—and responses these—have two locations. Notably, (Taf), managed realignment, rejected construction surge barrier aesthetic concerns South Coastal Group, 2012). Fairbourne (Mawddach), after 2055 ‘no active intervention’ met opposition media coverage villagers prospect losing homes (Harries, purposive snowball sampling recruit 26 demographically (12 14 Mawddach), aiming variety perspectives draw kinds identities. Potential participants identified prior contacts, gatekeepers up conversations respective pubs, cafes shops). Participants included individuals worked farmers, litter picker, volunteers, student, boatman, historian, land manager, councillors, outdoor education practitioners walking groups) well visiting elsewhere dog walker, jobseeker engineer). ranged age 20s 70s, consisted 13 men women. project followed protocols approved School Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee Cardiff University (Ref. 2699), informed consent participate obtained writing participants. Methods summarised 2 Roberts days weeks interviews, asked take photographs anything felt significant using coast/estuary any later interview (Thomas then invited walk site researcher (MT ER) via route meaningful them, relating (Task 2). suggest modes travel if preferred, interviews conducted bicycle, tricycle, canoe boat. mobile methods allowed us ourselves (through situated, direct, first-hand involvement), facilitating exploration relationship interviewee moved 2017; Carpiano, 2009; Evans Jones, Hall 2006; Kusenbach, All qualitatively designed open-ended, various unexpected ones (Gould Ordóñez Satterfield, 2001). Interviews semi-structured, encouraged conversation guided towards thoughts feelings beside/on saltmarsh. Many prompts specifically elicit narrative ‘storied forms’ rather direct question-answer formats ‘could you tell me memorable coast?’). Such encourage come themselves (Satterfield, 2001) help expose ‘different sometimes layers meaning’ (Squire 2013: On completing join sit-down interview, took part three further tasks involving photo elicitation, mapping word association. First, presented had taken interview. ‘photo stack’ researcher-generated images. Five own pictures comment researcher's stack wanted to; additional prompts—to follow-up themes raise ones—with talk basic ‘what does photograph show?’ ‘how feel?’ details reflexive account task, see Thomas Next, Ordnance Survey map annotate whatever might relevant upon (positive negative). Prompts ‘do stories related places?’ Finally, third 47 laminated cards (summarised Table S1). came mind, rationale prompt ideas mentioned during earlier tasks. words drawn ecosystem services literature Hirons 2005b; 2001; Government, 2015), added ‘miscellaneous’ emerged pilot colleagues. This task placed end session bias concepts, attended mode/activity analysing section transcripts, ensure attuned co-determination biases Himes Muraca, audio-recorded transcribed professional transcribers. translated translator before checked consistency Welsh-speaking member team out (ER). transcripts anonymised recordings accuracy. Names changed pseudonyms, following University—apart requested his real name. Transcripts thematically coded mixed grounded structured approach, sensitising concepts (Bowen, Glaser Strauss, 1967; Turner, 1981). analytic draws why utilise emic (participant led) etic (researcher categories coding themes, promote reflexivity sensitivity theorisation (Henwood Pidgeon, paper to: incidental fundamental participants' well-being; knew engaged saltmarshes; told there; notions change; descriptions what valued—adopting Kenter al.'s definition simply matters’ (Kenter 2019: 1453). ‘flip-flopped’ theory develop understanding relate 2003: 135). this, middle-class spare likely agree Fischer £30 honorarium willing fit schedules, did require commitment (tasks 2–5) lasting 6 h mean length 3 h, element usually taking 1–2 h). generated unique facilitated triangulation (Flick, 2018); however, sheer volume meant sample prohibitive small team. Another limitation that, although sedentary offered alternative, ‘walking interviews’ set recruitment letter deterred less-mobile participants, none chose completely shows extracts five tasks, mapped onto area. It helped build picture participant, Charlotte, uses relates here gives flavour meanings her. example, she mud makes marsh difficult, noted finds beautiful voiced uncertainties owns She her spiritual associations place, salience women cocklers (discussed detail below) alone connecting nature. development, imperative know ecosystems bring ‘periphery’ healthy green (Parsons, 221) better valued. meaning—they ambiguous, contradictory. unknown, overlooked. itself places, whereas others incidental. ambiguities stem only characteristics constantly changing long short time-scales) depending capabilities. Recognising ambiguousness management. One implication future places. ambiguousness, include islands, positive (calming) challenging (isolating) (Coleman Kearns, 2015) snow/ice, ‘simultaneously heal harm’ (Finlay, 77). Like saltmarshes, islands cryosphere among vulnerable (IPCC, 2014) will intensifies. attending ‘to surround (visual, verbal, audio, spatial)’ 2017: 601) gather angles, express deeper multiple (and contradictory) like exploring regards distributive (environmental) justice. socially levelling equality (Meethan, 2012: 70; Waddell, 2003; Hunt, 2019), support asserting always (Bell 2019; Parsons, meanings, considerable not. exclusive, privileged human–nature relationships, capabilities so; individual easily (cf. Ernstson, Leyshon, 2018; Preston-Whyte, Read, How managers seek address inequity? enable greater (physical psychological) could adopt Eastwood (2016: ‘targeted measures increase capabilities’. rights made clearer, outreach activities aim knowledge endowing them. time, must consider repercussions ‘increasing prominence’ accessibility (Lennon 787). If begin more, presence damage habitat current users? ‘parks versus people’ debate represents concern encouraging too much engagement damaging protect (MacBride-Stewart, needs weighed benefits. raises questions managed. continue creation schemes regulated tidal exchange; Ladd, should attentive depth above), another adaptative Raymond highlighted inherent nature change, rise), peoples' Because changeable, lose prominence societies continuing decline marsh-related leads corresponding loss tacit rendering few. Or affording visually acceptable protection (Möller everything changeable. Today's ‘funny place’ tomorrow's delight. Valuing Nature Programme (valuing-nature.net), funded Natural Environment Council, Economic Biotechnology Biological Arts Humanities Council Department Environment, Food Rural Affairs. supported UK Councils award NE/N013573/1, Title CoastWEB: contribution COASTal WEllBeing, alleviation hazards. authors thank making possible, Carole White, anonymous reviewers editors People providing extremely insightful constructive comments versions manuscript. Merryn Associate Editor involved peer review process. K.H. N.P. conceived CoastWEB work package reported here; M.T. E.R. collected performed analyses, led paper. contributed critically throughout submitted recorded annotated maps, retained University, per institution's archiving rules practices. files cannot publicly available confidentiality. requests share purposes case-by-case basis embargo years, analyses continue. Any author reasonable request. Supinfo Please note: publisher responsible functionality supporting information supplied authors. queries (other missing content) directed article.