Q&A ยท 35:40-36:15

Do naval gunnery ranges protect wildlife and archaeology?

Restricted access can aid preservation, while live gunfire introduces a direct destructive effect.

Question

Did Royal Navy coastal gunnery ranges protect archaeology and wildlife as army land sometimes did?

Short answer

To an extent, but live artillery fire can damage or destroy what restricted access otherwise protects.

Notes

Restricted military land can protect wildlife and archaeological remains to an extent. Coastal naval gunnery ranges, however, are compared with army artillery ranges. Live firing can destroy the very features that restricted access otherwise protects. The answer therefore qualifies the conservation benefit according to the activity conducted on the land.