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Article: Isles of Scilly: despite suffering regular batterings by the Atlantic Ocean, the 200 or so low-lying granite islands and rocks that form the UK's smallest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and England's most westerly point are a haven for hundreds of unusual plant and animal species. But, as Natalie Hoare discovers, the threat of sea-level rise is a real cause for concern.
- Article from:
- Geographical
- Article date:
- October 1, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 Circle Publishing Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Conversation among the few passengers aboard this small Twin Otter aircraft are brought to an abrupt end by the sound of its twin propellers coughing and spluttering into action. After the pilot casually leans one arm over his seat and gives us the safety brief-'lifejackets are under the seats, emergency exits are just there'--we're up and away, leaving the grassy windswept airstrip on Land's End far behind.
Fifteen minutes later, I catch my first glimpse of the oval-shaped archipelago of granite looming out of the Atlantic Ocean below. It's a swelteringly hot day and there's barely a cloud in the sky as we touch down on St ...