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Poole Harbour’s position on the south coast of England, along with its unique combination of size and physical characteristics, provide for a diverse and productive ecological community. It is particularly recognized for internationally significant bird populations and as a haven for the naturalization of exotic species.

The harbour is also exceptional in the extent to which it represents in microcosm the world-wide tensions between environment and development: A harbour entrance of only 300m separates a highly conserved natural environment from an urban landscape where property compares with Manhattan and Hong Kong Island in the world-wide table of real estate values.

The harbour provides a port, a fishing ground, a tourist destination, a receiver of effluent and is used intensively as a water sports and recreational resource. It also lies above Europe’s largest on-shore oilfield.