Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Although it grows on the lowest part of the shore, oarweed was cut traditionally on the south Gower
coast and used as manure for the fields. 'A common of Oar growing in the sea' was recorded in 1673 at
Bishopston, so it seems that its cutting and carting was carefully regulated. Similarly the Rector of Port-
Eynon noted in 1801: 'Seaweed in great plenty, which is used for wheat and barley.' Oarweed was in fact
cut almost to within living memory.At spring tides the shore bug
Aepophilus bonnairei
can also be found
inthiszone.Itisatypicalland-basedbugwithlongantennae,butitactuallylivesbelowsealevel,inlittle
cracks in the rock where there are air pockets. This is the only time the bug is actually found on the land
and it appears at the extreme low water mark and wanders around in the oarweed. It scavenges for animal
material, such as dead or dying copepods.
