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With
over twenty years involvement in nature conservation in southern England
I have an in-depth knowledge of the habitats, species and geomorphological
features that are important in this area. |
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Woodland
and Parkland are particularly important habitats in The Weald,
that area between the North and South Downs which
intrinsically remains 'The English Countryside'.
Oak Quercus robur and Ash Fraxinus excelsior frequently
dominate the woodland canopy. However a few areas, such as Ebernoe
Common, are dominated by Beech Fagus sylvatica which casts a deeper
shade.
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Bluebells
Hyacinthoides non-scripta take advantage
of the brief vernal light in spring in a Sussex Wealden wood. 'The Mens'
is the largest remaining section of Ancient Woodland in Sussex retaining
many ecological features dating back to mediaeval times.
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Parham
Park is one of the many ancient deer parks that survive in Sussex. Their
oldest trees were historically pollarded to provide a supply of smaller
wooden poles above the teeth of grazing deer.
Despite the Great Storm in 1987 and subsequent storms these old oaks,
beech and chestnut trees survived through well developed root
systems and a comparatively small 'sail area' of leafy branches.
Unusual and rare invertebrates remain in these trees and decomposing
wood that provides a unique habitat many centuries later.
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A
shallow Wealden gill that was created by the gradual erosion of the gill
stream over the soft clay and sandstone. Wood anemone Anemone
nemerosa carpets the forest floor in spring and Tonbridge
filmy-fern Hymenophyllum tunbridgense survives
on nearby sandstone rocks. Many centuries later a settlement develops at
Handscross.
Having been involved in many aspects of woodland and parkland management
across Sussex has provided a comprehensive knowledge on these important
habitats.
Undertaking a woodland survey is always the first stage in considering
future management options. This can be done at several levels but should
link with National standards and survey techniques.
Click
here to download table of key indicator plants most commonly associated with
woodland NVC categories in the south:
 (file
size 10kb)
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Gill
(or 'Ghyll') woodlands also remain hidden away in the Weald of Sussex,
Kent and Surrey. Situated on steep, sticky clay soil these woodlands
escaped the saw and plough over many millenia and today retain a unique
flora originating in the 'Atlantic' period seven-thousand years ago.
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The
people connection
Too often a seemingly inseperable division is made between people and nature.
Commercial developments proceed with minimal reference to the surrounding
environment. Nature reserves are designated with minimal reference to the
surrounding people. |
Living
in towns and cities brings many advantages...
however we have
often lost contact
and the pleasure
the natural world
can bring us
In Brighton the green areas
of parkland and the grass by Brighton Pavilion
is cut short regularly and frequently which prevents more unusual plants
from surviving.
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Shepherd's
needle Scandix pecten-veneris is
a nationally scarce plant found near Brighton Marina. Within the city's
boundary there is much unusual and interesting wildlife waiting to
be discovered.
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Through
my involvement with the City Council's Wildlife Advisory Group (where
I have been Chair and vice-Chair since 2003) I have discovered more
about the natural environment right on the doorstep.
There is clearly much that can be done to help people learn more about
their local environment, and now there is a great deal of interest in
environmental issues.
One
area that Brighton & Hove can usefully progress is a 'Local Biodiversity
Action Plan'. These Plans have been put in place by many Local Authorities
in partnership with other statutory agencies and local businesses. They
are the primary means for progressing the UK commitments to the Convention
on Biological Diversity (1992) following the first international
'Earth Summit'.
click
here for recommendations on preparing a LBAP
 click
here for UK Biodiversity
information |
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Urban Wildlife
Urban
wildlife includes both the more common species typical for Brighton...
As well as the rare and beautiful...
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Adonis
blue is a butterfly listed as 'a priority species' on the
UKBAP list. On the South Downs strong populations may still be seen
in early summer.
The accurate, if somewhat inelegantly named 'Thick-legged flower beetle' Oedemera
nobilis is a small attractive beetle that feeds as a larva
by boring into old wood. The metallic green adults suck the
nectar from flowers such as this bramble Rubus fruticosus
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