The Studland and Godlingston Heath National Nature Reserve has a variety of habitats including heathland, bogs, woodland, alder and willow carr, sand dunes, scrub and freshwater,[REF][REF] which support a variety of wildlife including large populations of wildfowl and insects.
Anecdotal evidence from residents reported in the Studland Parish Magazine [REF] indicates that both types of seahorse have been found in the bay since at least the 1970s, possibly encouraged by the reputed growth in the seagrass beds.