Essex Bap Grassland Study

ESSEX BAP GRASSLAND STUDY

Final Report for

Essex Biodiversity Project and Essex County Council

September 2011

Client: Essex Biodiversity Project and Essex County Council

Title: Essex BAP Grassland Study

Project No: 403

Date of Issue: 22 September 2011 (V3)

Status: Final

Signed on behalf of Applied Ecology Ltd:

Dr Duncan Painter Director

CONTACT DETAILS:

APPLIED ECOLOGY LTD St. John's Innovation Centre Cowley Road Cambridge CB4 0WS

Tel: 01223 422 116 Fax: 01223 420 844 Mobile: 07725 811 777 Email: [email protected]

Essex BAP Grassland Study Final Report

Contents 1 Introduction ...... 1 1.1 Background...... 1 2 Grassland Inventory...... 2 2.1 Methods...... 2 2.2 Results...... 4 2.3 Conclusions...... 8 3 Grassland Types...... 9 3.1 Methods...... 9 3.2 Results of TWINSPAN Classification and Ordination (PCA) ...... 11 3.3 Grassland Vegetation Types...... 15 4 Recommendations for Further Work...... 21

Applied Ecology Ltd

Essex BAP Grassland Study Final Report

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND

1.1.1 Applied Ecology Ltd (AEL) has been commissioned by the Essex Biodiversity Project (EBP) and Essex County Council (ECC) to complete a desk-top study of Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) grassland habitat in Essex. The study comprises two distinct elements:

1. A Geographical Information System (GIS) grassland inventory to help identify areas of BAP quality grassland within the county that could be targeted by ECC’s grazing and grassland project. The development and implementation of a conservation grazing project is a key commitment under the Essex species-rich grassland Habitat Action Plan (HAP). The inventory is restricted to grassland types that are covered by the Essex grassland HAP.

2. To analyse and interpret floristic data collected by the 1984 Essex Meadow Survey (392 individual quadrats) in order to describe the character and distribution of distinct grassland vegetation types. It is hoped that this information can be used to fine-tune the definition of important grasslands covered by the Essex species-rich grassland HAP.

1.1.2 The GIS grassland inventory has been produced in ERSI shape-file format and is provided on a CD-ROM. Chapter 2 of this report provides a summary of the grassland inventory methods and findings, and Chapter 3 outlines the methods and results of the grassland character study. Chapter 4 gives a number of recommendations for further work in order to take forward the grazing project, and are based on discussions with ECC.

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Essex BAP Grassland Study Final Report

2 GRASSLAND INVENTORY

2.1 METHODS

Scope of the Grassland Inventory

2.1.1 From the outset of the project it was agreed that the grassland inventory would be restricted to grassland types that are covered by the Essex species-rich grassland HAP, and would therefore exclude areas of coastal grazing marsh, including some important grassland areas along sea walls. The reason for excluding these grassland types was not only related to their omission from the grassland HAP, but also the lack of sufficient data to enable areas of species-rich grazing marsh to be filtered from species-poor examples. In addition, road verges and other specific grassland types included within the Essex Grassland HAP were excluded because they were not considered appropriate targets for future grazing management.

Production of GIS Base Layer

2.1.2 A map based grassland inventory for the county has been produced using Geographical Information System (GIS) software (ESRI ArcEditor, version 10.0) to manipulate and analyse existing spatial data-sets. Four GIS data-sets were used to create the inventory:

1. Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) - Downloaded from Natural England’s website (March 2011);

2. Essex Local Wildlife Sites (LoWS’s) - Provided by Essex County Council (March 2011);

3. Environmental Stewardship (‘beneficial options’) – Provided by Natural England (March 2011);

4. UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) inventory for Lowland Meadows (version 2.01), Undetermined grassland (version 2.01), Lowland Dry Acid Grassland (version 2.01), Lowland Calcareous Grassland (version 2.01) and Coastal and Floodplain Grazing Marsh (version 1.1, inland wet grassland sites only) – Downloaded from Natural England’s website (March 2011).

2.1.3 Data-sets 1-3 included data covering a wide range of ecologically important habitat types, and were therefore filtered in advance of merging to remove any

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parcels of non-grassland habitat. Each data-set was also filtered to remove specific grassland types outside of the grassland HAP definition (e.g. wood pasture and post-industrial sites), and where possible, areas of species-rich grassland were specifically identified and selected for. Once filtered, the four data-sets were merged in GIS to create a single base layer.

2.1.4 Further editing of the base layer was completed by interrogating OS MasterMap data and high-resolution aerial photographs. This included removal of significant and visually distinct areas of non-grassland habitat (e.g. woodland, dense scrub and large water bodies), grassland areas clearly comprising improved or amenity swards, and any grassland areas considered unsuitable for future grazing for practical reasons (e.g. roadside verges and other very linear sites, sea-walls, golf courses, churchyards and cemeteries). Any remaining sites less than 1ha in extent, where grazing is not considered a realistic management option, were also removed from the inventory.

2.1.5 The GIS layer resulting from this process of filtering, merging and editing, formed the basis for the Essex grassland inventory.

Attribute Data

2.1.6 Details of the attribute data recorded for each inventory grassland site are provided in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1: Details of attribute data

Attribute Details Grassland ref Unique AEL reference number SSSI or LoWSs Unique reference/code for any associated SSSI or LoWS ref Name The site name has been based on a parcels data-set origin, for example parcels identified from the SSSI or LoWS citation retain the designated site name. For undesignated grasslands parcels the site name has been based on other data sources, with a generic name followed by a sequential number e.g. ‘Stewardship 1’ for a site identified from NEs Environmental Stewardship dataset. For sites where more than two mappable BAP types occurred these were split into different polygons and a numeric was used to differentiate them. e.g. ‘Roding Valley 1’ & ‘Roding Valley 2’. Area Extent in hectares (ha)

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Primary BAP Each grassland parcel included in the inventory has been type assigned to at least one of the four important grassland types listed by the Essex Grassland HAP. These are (i) neutral meadows and pastures; (ii) calcareous grassland; (iii) Thames terrace grassland; and (iv) acid grassland.

Where possible the habitat descriptions provided in SSSI and LoWS citations have been used to assigned HAP type, but for land areas without statutory or non-statutory designation the grassland type has been assigned using interpretation of aerial photographs and geology/topography. Secondary BAP Where citation information indicated the presence of more type than one HAP grassland type, additional grassland types (as listed above) have also been listed. Presence of wet The presence/absence of wet grassland was recorded grassland where possible using available information. Interpretation 3 = High - BAP grassland present in polygon and extent is confidence: certain; likelihood of 2 = Medium - BAP grassland present in polygon, but extent HAP grassland is uncertain; being present 1 = Low - BAP grassland maybe present, but extent is unknown. Designation Indicates if any of the land area possesses SSSI or LoWS designation. UK BAP Attributed if grassland is included in one of the following inventory type Natural England’s UK BAP GIS inventory layers: Lowland meadows; Lowland dry acid grassland; Lowland calcareous grassland; Coastal and floodplain grazing marsh; or Undetermined grassland. UK BAP As above, some grassland was covered by more than one inventory 2 layer. Name of unitary, district or borough that the centre of the Local authority grassland falls within. Attributed if grassland is in one of the following Natural Stewardship England Environment Stewardship Schemes: Entry Level scheme Stewardship; Organic Entry Level Stewardship and/or Higher Level Stewardship. Digitiser Person or organisation that created grassland polygon. Date created Date when dataset was completed.

2.2 RESULTS

2.2.1 The grassland inventory has been provided in ERSI shape-file format on a CD- ROM. A table with details of each inventory grassland site is provided in Appendix 1.

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Summary of Inventory Grassland Areas by District

2.2.2 The location of the inventory grassland sites is shown by Figure 2.1, and a summary of the sites, their coverage (ha) and average site area (ha) within each of the 14 Local Authorities (districts) is provided in Table 2.2.

2.2.3 In summary, a total of 288 individual inventory grassland sites have been identified, covering a total area of 1,764.3ha. The greatest number of individual sites were found within the districts of Epping Forest (49 no.), Braintree (47 no.) and Colchester (36 no.), with these three districts also supporting the greatest overall areas, with 213ha, 213ha and 412ha, respectively. If inventory grassland cover is considered as a proportion of the total district area then Castle Point (1.74%), Harlow (1.69%) and Basildon (1.32%) supported the greatest overall areas.

Table 2.2: Total number of sites, total area, average site size and % of district supporting inventory grassland

District No of Total area Average site Total % of district sites (ha) size (ha) supporting important grassland Basildon 21 145.3 6.9 1.32 Braintree 47 212.9 4.5 0.35 Brentwood 11 52.1 4.7 0.34 Castle Point 15 77.9 5.2 1.74 Chelmsford 28 205.0 7.3 0.60 Colchester 36 412.2 11.4 1.23 Epping forest 49 212.7 4.3 0.63 Harlow 5 51.5 10.3 1.69 Maldon 9 29.3 3.3 0.08 Rochford 2 26.0 13.0 0.15 Southend on sea 1 8.4 8.4 0.20 Tendring 19 135.0 7.1 0.40 Thurrock 14 84.8 6.1 0.52 Uttlesford 31 111.3 3.6 0.17 Total 288 1764.3 6.1

BAP Grassland Types

2.2.4 The extent of inventory grassland classified into each of the four Grassland HAP types is illustrated in Graph 2.1, and their distribution is shown by Figure 2.2.

Applied Ecology Ltd 5 Figure number: 2.1 . Grassland areas identified by the grassland inventory .! .! .! Key: .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! ! Grassland inventory areas . .! .! .! .! .! .! .! ! .!.!. .! .! .! .! Urban area .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .!.! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! Local authority boundary .! .! .! UTTLESFORD .! .! .!.! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! BRAINTREE .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .!.! .!.! .! .! .! ! .!.! .! .! . .! .! !. ! .! .! . TENDRING .! COLCHESTER .! .! .! .!.! .! .! .! .! .! .! .!.! .!.! .! .! .! .! .!.!.! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! ! .! .!.! .! ..! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .!! ! .! !.! . .! . . HARLOW .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! ! .! .! . .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! CHELMSFORD .! .!.! .! .! .!.! MALDON .!.! .! .! .! .! .! .!! EPPING FOREST .! .! .! .! . .!.! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .!.! .! .!.!.! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .!.! .! .! .!.! .! .! .! BRENTWOOD .! .! .! .! .! .! .! BASILDON ROCHFORD ! .! ! . .! .! . .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .!.! .! .!.!.! .! .! .! .! .!.! .! .! .! .! .! SOUTHEND-ON-SEA

CASTLE POINT Date: THURROCK 09/06/2011 .! ! ! .! . . Job reference no: ! . .! AELInsert 403 number here .!.! .! Status: Final Drawn by: 0 5 10 15 Kilometers RG Checked by: RJH

This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence Nº 100019602. 2008 Figure number: 2.2 . Grassland inventory areas by Essex Habitat Action Plan (HAP) type .! .! .! Key: .! .! .! .! .! .! .! Grassland inventory areas .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! HAP type .!.!.! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! Neutral meadows and pastures .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .!.! .! .! .! .! Acid grassland .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .!.! Calcareous grassland .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .!.! .!.! .! Thames terrace grassland .! .! !.! .! .! .! ..! .! !. .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .!.! Urban area .! .! .! .! ! .! .! .! .!.! .! .! .! . .! .!.!.! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! Local authority boundary .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .!.! .! .!.! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .!.! .! .! .!.! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! ! .! .! . .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .!.! .! .! .!.! .!.! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .!.! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .!.! .! .!.!.! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .!.! .! .! .!.! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! ! .! .! . .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .!.! .! .!.!.! .! .! .! .! .!.! .! .! .! .! .!

Date: 12/06/2011 .! .! .! .! Job reference no: .! .! AELInsert 403 number here .!! . .! Status: Final Drawn by: 051015Kilometers RG Checked by: RJH

Essex BAP Grassland Study Final Report

Graph 2.1: Inventory grassland by BAP grassland type

450

400

350

300 Acid grassland 250 Thames Terrace Grassland 200 Calcareous Grassland

Area (ha) Neutral meadows and pastures 150

100

t n ea ck rd od in rest o s o o o ford ring ro w P o ld n d t e f ch o raintree g Harlow Ma ttlesf BasildonB ren in Ro Ten Thur B Colchester U Castl Chelmsford pp thend E u o S District

2.2.5 Graph 2.1 shows that the majority of the inventory grassland has been classified as the neutral meadow and pasture grassland type (1,298.2ha or 73.6% of the total resource). Smaller areas have been classified as acid grassland (395.2ha/22.4%), calcareous grassland (54.5ha/3.1%) and Thames terrace grassland (16.4ha/0.9%).

2.2.6 Colchester and Tendring are distinct in possessing relatively similar proportions of neutral and acid grassland. Thurrock is unique as it possessed areas of all four Grassland HAP types, and Uttlesford supported similar proportions of neutral and calcareous grassland.

SSSI and LoWS Designations

2.2.7 The extent of inventory grassland with statutory (SSSI) and non-statutory (LoWS) designation are shown by Graph 2.2, and their distribution is shown by Figure 2.3.

2.2.8 A large proportion of the inventory grassland possessed existing Local Wildlife Site designation (1,478.5ha/83.8%), with smaller areas designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (199.7ha/11.3%) or possessing neither designation (86.1ha/4.9%).

2.2.9 Districts with the greatest area of undesignated inventory grassland were Braintree (44.6ha), Epping Forest (18.2ha) and Colchester (12.3ha).

Applied Ecology Ltd 6 Figure number: 2.3 . Grassland inventory areas with SSSI or LoWS designation

.! .! .! Key:

.! .! .! !. .! .! .! Grassland inventory areas .! .! .! .! .! .! Designation .! .! ! .!.!. .! .! SSSI .! .! .! !. .! .! .! !. .! .! .! !. .! .! LoWS .!.! !. .! !. .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! None .! !..! .! .! .! .! .! .! !. .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .!.! .!.! !. Urban area .! .! .!.! .! .! !. .! .! ! .! .! . .! .! .! !. .! !..! Local authority boundary .! !. !. .! .! !. !..! .!.! .! .! !. !. !.!..! !. .! .! .! !. .! .! .! !. .! !. .! .! .! .! .! !. .! .!.! .! .!.! .! .! .! !. .! .! .! !. !. .!.! .! .! !.!. .! !. .! .! .! .! .! !. !. .! .! ! !. .! !. . .! .! .! !. .! .! .! .! !.!. .! .! !.!. !.!. !. .! .! .! .! .!! !. .! .! !. . .!!. .! !. .! .! .! .! ! ! !. .! . . .! !. .! .! .! .! .!.! .! .!.!.! !. .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! ! .!!. .! . .! .!! !. .! .! . .! .! .! .! .! .! .! ! .! .! . .! .! .! .! !. .! .! !. !. .! .! .! .! .!.! !. !..!!. .! .! !. .! .!!. .! .! .! .! .! Date: 09/06/2011

!. .! .! !. Job reference no: AELInsert 403 number here .! .! Status: .!.! .! Final Drawn by: 051015Kilometers RG Checked by: RJH

Essex BAP Grassland Study Final Report

Graph 2.2: Inventory grassland by SSSI/LoWS designation

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400

350

300

250 None LoWS 200 Area (ha) SSSI 150

100

d on int rd ter est ood o ing ock for ld fo n sea dr w hes for o urr lc Harlow Maldon les Basi Braintree stle P elms ng Rochford Ten Th a h Co end Utt Brent C C ppi h E Sout District

Stewardship Schemes

2.2.10 The extent of inventory grassland with existing Environmental Stewardship (ES) agreements are shown by Graph 2.3, and their distribution is shown by Figure 2.4.

Graph 2.3: Inventory grassland within Environmental Stewardship Schemes

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400

350 Higher Level Stewardship 300 Organic Entry Level Stewardship 250 Entry Level plus Higher Level Stewardship 200 (ha) Area Entry Level Stewardship 150 None 100

0 t n rd g rd od res in o o fo rock intree w s ester r sf h Fo aldon ndr le tle Point Harlow M t Basildo Bra ent s ng Rochford Te Thu Colc Ut Br Chelm Ca outh-end-Sea Eppi S District

Applied Ecology Ltd 7 Figure number: 2.4 . Grassland inventory areas in Environmental Stewardship agreements .! .! .! Key: .! .! !. .! .! .! .! .! .! Grassland inventory areas .! .! .! .! .! .! Environmental Stewardship (ES) scheme* !.!..! .! .! !. .! .! .! .! HLS - Higher Level Stewardship .! .! .! .! .! .! !. .! (inc. sites in both ELS & HLS) .!.! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! ELS Entry Level Stewardship .! .! .! .!.! (inc. Organic ELS) .! ! .! .! .! . .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .!.! .!.! .! No ES agreement .! .! .!! .! !. .! .! !. .! .! .! .! .! .! .! Urban areas .! .!.! !. !. ! .! .! !. .! .!.! ..! .! .! .! .! .!.!.! .! .! !. .! !. .! .! Local authority boundary .! !. .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! !.!. .! .! .! !. *Stewardship Data downloaded from the .! .! Natural England website in March 2011 .! .! .! .! .! .!.! .! .! .!.! .! .! .! .! .! .! !. .! .! .! ! .! .! . .! .! !. .! !. .! .! !. .! .! .!!. .! .! .!.! .!.! .! .! .! !. .! .!! .! .! .! .! . .!!. .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! !. .! .! .! .! .! .! !..! .! .!.!.! !. .! .! !. .! .! .! !. .! .! .!.! .! .! !.!. .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! !. .! .! .! .! !. !. .! .! .! !. .! .! .! .!.! .! .!.!.! .! .! !. .! .!.! .! .! .! .! .!

Date: 12/06/2011 .! .! .! .! Job reference no: .! .! AELInsert 403 number here .!.! .! Status: Final Drawn by: 0 5 10 15 Kilometers RG Checked by: RJH

Essex BAP Grassland Study Final Report

2.2.11 Around two thirds (1087ha of 1764ha) of the inventory grassland was not entered into any Environmental Stewardship agreements. The ES scheme most often associated with these grasslands was the Entry Level Scheme with a total of 347ha (average 24.8ha) under ELS agreement. The total area of inventory grassland entered into the Entry Level Scheme plus Higher Level Stewardship was 190ha, within the Higher Level Scheme was 140ha, and within the Organic Entry Level Scheme was only 1ha.

2.2.12 Patterns of ES uptake at the district level were broadly similar. Standout districts were Rochford and Harlow which had no ES uptake, and Colchester where around half of the inventory grassland was under ES with a relatively even split between the Entry Level, Entry Level (plus Higher Level) and the Higher Level Schemes.

2.3 CONCLUSIONS

2.3.1 In summary, 288 individual parcels of grassland are included within the inventory covering a total area of 1,764.3ha. The majority of these grassland sites have existing nature conservation value and are designated as SSSIs (11.3%) or LoWS (83.8%). The remaining area of inventory grassland (4.9%) possesses no existing SSSI/LoWS designation.

2.3.2 The majority of the inventory grassland has been classified as the neutral meadow and pasture BAP grassland type (1,298.2ha or 73.6% of the total resource), with acid grassland (395.2ha/22.4%), calcareous grassland (54.5ha/3.1%) and Thames terrace grassland (16.4ha/0.9%) making a smaller contribution to the overall resource.

2.3.3 A large proportion of the inventory grassland (around two thirds in total) was not entered into any Environmental Stewardship agreements.

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3 GRASSLAND TYPES

3.1 METHODS

Data Analysis

TWINSPAN Classification

3.1.1 The 1984 meadow grassland survey data-set consisted of 392 individual quadrats from across the county (Figure 3.1). However, three samples (no.’s 247, 300 and 360) did not contain any data and were removed from the data-set.

3.1.2 Classification of the plant data was completed using the program TWINSPAN (Two-way Indicator Species Analysis) package WINTwins1. TWINSPAN classifies the data into an ordered two-way table of species and sites, and produces a dichotomising hierarchy of sites with the divisions characterised by ‘indicator species’, (i.e. species which are recognised by the program as being most faithful to one side of the hierarchical division).

3.1.3 No initial sorting or checking of the data was completed, and the TWINSPAN analysis was completed using the entire data-set (389 quadrats). The level of division at which quadrat groupings were defined was decided by reference to the TWINSPAN species-by-sample abundance table, and using professional judgment to terminate individual groups at the level which made most ecological sense.

3.1.4 If necessary, further TWINSPAN analysis of individual end groups was completed.

Ordination (Principal Component Analysis)

3.1.5 The combined use of the TWINSPAN and the ordination method, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with its corresponding output plot provides a visual interpretation of the relationships between sites, species and the sample classification. Whereas classification methods group samples according to similarities, the aim of ordination is to order samples along gradients (axes), the most important of which express the greatest amount of variation within the data. Often these major gradients will constitute some ecologically meaningful

1 Hill, M.O. & Šmilauer, P. (2005) TWINSPAN for Windows version 2.3. Centre for Ecology and Hydrology & University of South Bohemia, Huntingdon & Ceske Budejovice.

Applied Ecology Ltd 9 Figure number: 3.1 . Location of 1984 meadow survey .! quadrat samples .!

.! .! .! .! .! .! Key: .! .! .! .!.! .! .! .! .! !. .! .! Quadrat sample location .! .! ! .! .! . .! .! ! .! . .! .! Urban area .! .! .! .! ! . .! .! .! ! . .! .! .!.! Local authority boundary .! ! .!. .! .! !. . .! .! .! .! .!

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!.!.!.! ..!

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Date: 12/06/2011 Job reference no: AELInsert 403 number here Status: Final Drawn by: 0 5 10 15 Kilometers RG Checked by: RJH

Essex BAP Grassland Study Final Report

variability for example a change in moisture, salinity or pH across the sites.

Data Presentation

TWINSPAN dendrogram

3.1.6 The TWINSPAN sample hierarchy has been shown as a dendrogram that illustrates the sequences of a division as integral levels. The pattern of division carries information on the series of divisions performed by TWINSPAN, and shows the relationship between the various divisions and sample end groups.

Ordination (PCA) Bi-plots

3.1.7 A common way of presenting the results of an ordination analysis is through a biplot. This is the plotting of samples with their associated species correlations along two axes (x, y). In the majority of cases the plot axes represent the primary and secondary axes generated by the analysis which express the greatest (x), and subsequently the next greatest (y), amount of variation in the data. For linear methods such as PCA, samples are typically shown as symbols and species as arrows emanating from the plot’s origin. The closer the samples the greater the similarity in their species composition. The arrows in turn demonstrate species’ association with samples. Samples lying in the direction of an arrow’s path are those with which the species is positively associated i.e. those with a greater than average abundance of the species. The length of the arrow similarly expresses the magnitude of this association. Samples lying to either side of the arrow have a lower abundance of the species than those lying directly ahead; the relative abundance of the species in these samples can be read by drawing a perpendicular line from each sample to the arrow. Samples lying at 90˚ to the arrow are those with which the species has no association and samples lying directly opposite are those with which the species is negatively associated i.e. those which have a less than average abundance of the species.

Floristic Tables

3.1.8 The floristic composition of each grassland end-group has been summarised in the form of a floristic table. Full floristic tables (excluding all species with a frequency of I) have been provided as Appendices, with a list of the Constant and Frequent species (i.e. those species present in >40% of samples) provided in the main body of the report.

3.1.9 Each floristic table has the frequency and abundance value arranged in columns

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for the species. Frequency refers to the proportion of sample supporting a particular species, irrespective of its abundance, and is denoted by Roman numerals I-V, as follows; I = 1-20% frequency, II = 21-40%, III = 41-60%, IV = 61- 80% and V = 81-100%. Abundance is used to describe how much of a species there is in a sample and is summarised on the tables as bracketed numbered for the Domin ranges.

3.1.10 To ease visual interpretation the species have been arranged in blocks according to their pattern of occurrence within the end groups and among the different sub- groups according to their decreasing frequency. This approach broadly follows the presentation style adopted by the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) publications, and is therefore familiar to plant ecologists.

3.2 RESULTS OF TWINSPAN CLASSIFICATION AND ORDINATION (PCA)

3.2.1 Analysis of the entire data-set has identified 11 TWINSPAN end groups, as illustrated in the TWINSPAN dendrogram below.

3.2.2 The first division split Groups 1-5 from Groups 6-11. Groups 1-5 were predominately characterised by samples taken from grassland vegetation types (310 samples in total), while Groups 6-11 comprised a range of swamp, tall fen and reedbed habitats (i.e. non-grassland). Positive indicator species associated with Groups 6-11 were meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria, great willowherb Epilobium hirsutum, lesser pond sedge Carex acutiformis and cleavers Galium aparine. Groups 6-11 are not considered further as they are non-grassland habitats and are not relevant to the current study.

3.2.3 The second division resulted in separation of Group 1 (5 samples) from Groups 2- 5. The third level division separated Groups 2 and 3 from Groups 4 and 5, with each individual end group being separated out at the fourth division. Group 2 comprised eight individual samples, Group 3 - two samples, Group 4 – 56, and Group 5 – 239 samples.

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Figure 3.2: TWINSPAN dendrogram

The corresponding PCA bi-plots of samples and species are shown by Figures 3.3 and 3.4.

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Figure 3.3: PCA bi-plot of samples

3.2.4 The sample bi-plot showed that the majority of the grassland samples fell within Group 5 (0111, and shown as yellow dots). This group showed a relatively wide spread of samples across the plot which indicated that samples within this group were relatively varied in terms of their floristic composition, at least when compared to other defined groups. Groups 2-4 were located towards the bottom left corner of the plot. The majority of these fell with Group 4 0110 (green dots), and showed some overlap with Group 5. The non-grassland swamp communities were present in the top left corner of the plot.

3.2.5 The corresponding species plot demonstrates species’ association with samples. The plot showed that species with a strong association with non-grassland swamp communities (i.e. those pointing to the top left corner) are meadow sweet Filipendula ulmaria, cleavers Galium aparine, reed Phragmites australis, great willow herb Epilobium hirsutum, and nettle Urtica dioca.

3.2.6 The plants associated with Groups 2-4 included a range of damp grassland species, such as hard rush Juncus inflexus, jointed rush Juncus articulatus, tufted

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hair-grass Deschampsia cespitosa, and marsh horsetail Equisetum palustre.

3.2.7 Group 5 was associated with a wide range of plants. Most were species typical of neutral meadows, including for example bird’s foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus, ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata, crested dog’s-tail Cynosurus cristatus, white clover Trifolium repens and red fescue Festuca rubra.

Figure 3.4: PCA bi-plot of species

Additional TWINSPAN Analysis of Individual End-Groups

3.2.8 Initial interpretation of the TWINSPAN end-groups in terms of their plant composition indicated that substantial and perhaps meaningful variation still existed within Groups 4 and 5. Further TWINSPAN analysis was therefore completed on these groups in order to determine if any further variation could be found, and used to define additional grassland types.

3.2.9 Group 4 (56 samples) was subject to two further levels of division using TWINSPAN. In summary, this resulted in a single sample (quadrat no. 12) being split from the group at the first division, and two quadrats (no.’s 144 and 145)

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being split from the group at the second division. These three individual quadrat samples were found comprise atypical vegetation of weedy vegetation (quadrat 12) and saltmarsh vegetation (quadrats 144 and 145), and were removed from the group.

3.2.10 Group 5 (239 samples) was also subject to two further levels of division. The first division split the group almost in half with 124 samples in the negative group and 115 in the positive group. These two groups were further divided into two separate groups at the next division, resulting in a total of four sub-groups, namely sub-group 5a (56 samples), 5b (68 samples), 5c (55 samples), and 5d (60 samples). These sub-groups were considered to represent distinct vegetation types and are treated as sub-groups in the following descriptions.

3.3 GRASSLAND VEGETATION TYPES

3.3.1 Full floristic tables (excluding all species with a frequency of I) for each of the grassland types (Groups 1-5a/c) are provided in Appendix 2. A summary description of each vegetation group is provided below, together with lists of the constant (i.e. species found in 60-100% of samples) and frequent species (i.e. species found in 41-60% of samples), and the presence of any rare species (Great Britain Red Data List (GBRDL)2 and Essex Red Data List (ERDL)3 species).

3.3.2 The location of these grassland types is shown by Figure 3.5, and a table showing the occurrence of each grassland type within each of the study sites is provided in Table 3.1.

2 Cheffings, C.M. & Farrell, L. (Eds), Dines, T.D., Jones, R.A., Leach, S.J., McKean, D.R., Pearman,D.A., Preston, C.D., Rumsey, F.J., Taylor, I. 2005. The Vascular Plant Red Data List for Great Britain. Species Status 7: 1-116. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough. 3 http://www.essexfieldclub.org.uk/portal/p/Essex%20Red%20Data%20List

Applied Ecology Ltd 15 Figure number: 3.25 . Location of 1984 meadow survey .! grassland quadrat samples .!

.! .! .! .! .! Key: .! .! .! .!.! .! .! .! .! Quadrat sample location .! .! .! TWINSPAN Groups* .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! Group 5 .! .! .! .! .! .! .! Group 4 .! .!.! .! .! .! .! .! Group 3 .! .! .! .! .! .! .! Group 2

.! .! Group 1 .!

.!.!.!.! .! Urban area .! .! .! .! Local authority boundary

.! .! .! .! .! .!.! .! .! *Non-grassland TWINSPAN groups are not shown .!

.! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .!

.! .! .!.! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .! .!

.! .! .! .! .!.! .! .! .! .! .!.! .! .! .! .! .!

Date: 12/06/2011 Job reference no: AELInsert 403 number here Status: Final Drawn by: 0 5 10 15 Kilometers RG Checked by: RJH

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Table 3.1: Grassland types found within each study site

Number of samples within each grassland group/sub-group Survey site G1 G2 G3 G4 SG5a SG5b SG5c SG5d Alpham-stone - - - 7 - 1 - 3 Arkesden ------3 1 Ashdon ------2 Basildon - - - - 8 - - - Basildon Langdon Hills - - - - 2 - - - Beau-champ Roding Marsh - - - 1 - - - - Belchamp St. Paul - - - - - 1 - 1 Benfleet - - - - 2 - - - Billericay Basildon 1 - 1 1 - - 3 - Bobbingworth - - - - 2 - - - Borley ------3 1 Bradwell juxta Cogges-hall - - - - - 1 - 1 By towpath Sawb'worth & ------2 - Castle Heding-ham ------Castle Point - - - 1 2 4 - 1 Chignall Smealy - - - 2 - 2 - - Chigwell - - - - - 1 - 1 Chrishall ------2 - Clavering ------2 - Coxtie Green - - - - 2 1 - 1 Daws Cross Bures - - - - - 2 - - Dodding-hurst Marsh - - - 3 - - - 1 Downham Chelmsford ------2 - Earls Colne - - - 4 - 4 1 - East Hanning-field - - - 1 - - - 1 Epping Upland ------2 Foxearth ------2 2 Fyfield - - - - 2 - - - Gesting-thorpe - - - 1 - - - 1 Gosfield - - - 2 - 3 1 - Gt. & Lt. Leighs - - - - - 2 - 1 Gt. Bardfield - - - 3 - - 2 - Gt. Chester-ford ------2 Gt. Maple-stead - - - - - 1 1 - Gt. Saling - - - 2 - - - 3 Gt. Sampford ------1 1 Gt. Waltham - - - - - 2 - 3 Gt. Warley - - - - 2 - - - Halstead - 1 - 5 - 4 - 3 Hazeleigh - - - - 2 - - - Hempstead ------2 Hemp-stead - - - - - 1 - 2 High Ongar - - - - - 2 - - Horndon-on-the-Hill - - - - 5 - - - Ivy Chimneys, Epping - - - 1 2 1 - - Ivy Chimneys, N side - - 1 - 1 1 3 - Lamarsh - - - 1 - - 1 - Lamarsh Bures Hamlet - - - - - 2 - - Leaden Roding ------5 - Lindsell ------2 Little Chester-ford - - - - - 2 - - Little Halling-bury Marsh - - - 1 - - - - Lt. Bardfield - - - 1 - - 3 1

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Number of samples within each grassland group/sub-group Survey site G1 G2 G3 G4 SG5a SG5b SG5c SG5d Lt. Waltham - - - - - 3 - - Margaret-ting - - - - - 2 - - Matching Airfield ------2 - Matching Green - - - - - 3 2 - Moreton - - - - - 3 1 - Navestock - 1 - 1 2 - - - North Weald - - - - 2 - - - Ovington ------1 1 Pebmarsh - - - 2 - - - - Purleigh - - - - 1 - 1 - Radwinter ------2 Rettendon - - - - 5 - - - Ridgewell ------2 Rochford ------1 1 Roman River Valley 4b ------1 Roman River Valley Site 5 - 4 - - - 2 - - S of Roman River Site 3d - 2 - 3 - - - - Seward-stone - - - - 1 2 1 - Sible Heding-ham - - - 2 - - - - Southend - - - - 1 1 2 1 Spell-brook - - - 3 - - - - Stam-bourne ------6 Stebbing - - - 1 - 2 - - Steeple Bumpstead - - - - - 3 1 2 Steeple Bump-stead ------1 Stock - - - - 1 - 1 - Thundersley 4 - - 2 1 - - 1 Thunders-ley - - - - 2 - - - Thurrock Langdon Hills - - - - 2 1 - - Wakes Colne - - - 1 - - - - Warley Place Meadows - - - - 2 4 - - West Mersea Donkey Meadow - - - 2 2 - - - Wickham Bishops ------2 2 Wintry Wood Heath - - - - - 2 - Writtle Hylands Pk. - - - - 2 - - - Yardley Hill Meadow - - - - - 4 - 1

Group 1

3.3.3 Summary description: This grassland type was usually dominated by wavy hair- grass Deschampsia flexuosa, together with a range of other grasses and forbs typical of acid soil conditions. Ericaceous/woody shrubs and trees were also occasional including heather Calluna vulgaris, common gorse Ulex europaeus and birch Betula species. This is a calcifugous grassland type and would be classified as U2 Deschampsia flexuosa grassland under the NVC scheme.

3.3.4 Constant and frequent species: Wavy hair-grass Deschampsia flexuosa (V), common bent Agrostis capillaris (IV), purple moor-grass Molinea caerulea (IV), and heather Calluna vulgaris (III).

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3.3.5 Rare species: Velvet bent Agrostis canina (ERDL), brown bent Agrostis vinealis (ERDL), and common cow-wheat Melampyrum pratense (ERDL).

Group 2

3.3.6 Summary description: Damp inundation type grassland usually dominated by creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens and marsh foxtail Alopecurus geniculatus, together with a wide range of damp ground and water edge plant species. This is a mesotrophic grassland type and would be classified as MG13 Agrostis stolonifera-Alopecurus geniculatus under the NVC scheme.

3.3.7 Constant and frequent species: Creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens (V), marsh foxtail Alopecurus geniculatus (IV) and floating sweet-grass Glyceria fluitans (III).

3.3.8 Rare species: Velvet bent Agrostis canina (ERDL), common sedge Carex nigra (ERDL), and marsh willowherb Epilobium palustre (ERDL).

Group 3

3.3.9 Summary description – Permanently moist, usually rank and tussocky grassland dominated exclusively by tufted hair-grass Deschampsia cespitosa, together with a wide range of common associates. This is a mesotrophic grassland type and would be classified as MG9 Holcus lanatus-Deschampsia cespitosa grassland under the NVC scheme.

3.3.10 Constant and frequent species – Tufted hair-grass Deschampsia cespitosa (V), Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus (III), soft rush Juncus effusus (III), meadow foxtail Alopecurus pratensis (III), common couch Elytrigia repens (III), hard rush Juncus inflexus (III), gypsywort Lycopus europaeus (III), sweet vernal-grass Anthoxanthum odoratum (III), red fescue Festuca rubra (III) and compact rush Juncus conglomeratus (III).

3.3.11 Rare species – None.

Group 4

3.3.12 Summary description – Overall this group was characterised by damp grassland dominated by Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus and creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens, with locally abundant hard rush Juncus inflexus. It was the most common damp grassland found within the areas sampled, and is probably common throughout the county on permanent grassland sites, particularly damp semi-

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improved grazing pasture. This is a mesotrophic grassland type and would be classified as MG10 Holcus lanatus-Juncus effusus grassland under the NVC scheme, with the majority probably falling within the MG10b Juncus inflexus sub- community.

3.3.13 Constant and frequent species – Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus (V), creeping buttercup (V), hard rush Juncus inflexus (III), rough meadow-grass Poa trivialis (III) and hairy sedge Carex hirta (III).

3.3.14 Rare species – Sneezewort Achillea ptarmica (ERDL), velvet bent Agrostis canina (ERDL), brown bent Agrostis vinealis (ERDL), large bitter-cress Cardamine amara (ERLD), star sedge Carex echinata (ERDL), common sedge Carex nigra (ERDL), carnation sedge Carex panacea (ERDL), meadow thistle Cirsium dissectum (ERDL), marsh willowherb Epilobium palustre (ERDL), fen bedstraw Galium uliginosum (ERDL), swamp meadow-grass Poa palustris (ERDL), wood club-rush Scirpus sylvaticus (ERLD), and marsh arrowgrass Triglochin palustris (ERDL).

Group 5

3.3.15 Summary description – As a whole this group of samples represents the bulk of the dry neutral grassland meadow and although variable in terms of precise species composition, the vegetation is usually dominated a combination of Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus and red fescue Festuca rubra, together with a wide range of other grasses and forbs.

3.3.16 Additional TWINSPAN analysis of this large group split the samples into four separate sub-groups. The sub-groups resulting from this further analysis do not appear to provide a particularly robust classification of grassland types and do not appear to conform well to the community types described by the NVC.

3.3.17 In general terms, Sub-groups 5a and 5d probably represented the majority of the relatively species-rich semi-improved and actively managed meadow grasslands and pastures (probably mostly referable to NVC community MG5 Cynosurus cristatus-Centaurea nigra grassland). Sub-group 5b appeared to consist of more improved (or more coastal) swards, often with some perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne, white clover Trifolium repens and yarrow Achillea millefolium (probably MG6 Lolium perenne-Cynosurus cristatus grassland). Sub-group 5c were associated with false oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius, a species whose presence suggests these grasslands lack regular management (NVC community MG1 Arrhenatherum elatius grassland).

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3.3.18 Constant and frequent species of Group 5 – Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus (V) and red fescue Festuca rubra (VI).

3.3.19 Sub-group 5a preferentials – Red clover Trifolium pratense (V), sweet vernal-grass Anthoxanthum odoratum (IV), bird’s-foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus (VI) and meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris (IV).

3.3.20 Sub-group 5b preferentials – White clover Trifolium repens (V), yarrow Achillea millefolium (V), common bent-grass Agrostis capillaris (IV), common mouse-ear Cerastium fontanum (VI), perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne (IV), ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata (IV), cocks-foot Dactylis glomerata (IV).

3.3.21 Sub-group 5c preferentials – False oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius (IV).

3.3.22 Sub-group 5d preferentials – Creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens (III), meadow foxtail Alopecurus pratensis (III), rough meadow-grass Poa trivialis (III), creeping bent-grass Agrostis stoloinfera (III) and meadow fescue Festuca pratensis (III).

3.3.23 Rare species – Corn Buttercup Ranunculus arvensis (GBRDL, Critically Endangered, 5a), Bithynian vetch Vicia bithynica (GBRDL Nationally Vulnerable, 5c), sulphur clover Trifolium ochroleucon (GBRDL Nationally near threatened, 5b), velvet bent Agrostis canina (ERDL, all sub-groups), sneezewort Achillea ptarmica (ERDL, 5a, 5c and 5d), flattened meadow-grass Poa compressa (ERDL, 5c and 5d), brown bent Agrostis vinealis (ERDL, 5a and 5d), adder's-tongue Ophioglossum vulgatum, downy oat-grass Helictotrichon pubescens (ERDL, 5a and 5b), meadow thistle Cirsium dissectum (ERDL, 5c), meadow saxifrage Saxifraga granulata, marsh ragwort Senecio aquaticus (ERDL, 5c), , carnation sedge Carex panacea (ERDL, 5c), bird's-foot clover Trifolium ornithopodioides (ERDL, 5b), and green-winged orchid Orchis morio (ERDL, 5a).

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4 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER WORK

4.1.1 On the basis of discussions with ECC, the following recommendations can be given in relation to future steps/survey work to inform the grazing project going forward:

• Complete field survey of low and medium value inventory sites, or at least complete select ground-truthing field survey of a representative range of grasslands.

• Select resurvey of the 1984 meadow sites, perhaps focusing on less well characterised HAP types within the county such as Thames terrace and calcareous grasslands.

• Investigate the value and extent of species-rich grasslands within other Essex BAP habitat types, for example within wood-pasture/parkland, coastal and floodplain grazing marshes and sea walls.

• Promote discussion between EBP/ECC/Natural England Stewardship advisors to target high and medium sites not currently in stewardship.

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Appendix 1 Inventory grassland areas

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Map ref Name Area (ha) Primary BAP type Wet grassland present Designation Local authority Stewardship scheme (10% + of site) Bas1 Barrenleys Meadow 3.65 Acid grassland LoWS Basildon Parkhill Wood Meadow Bas2 1.66 Acid grassland LoWS Basildon 1 Neutral meadows Bas3 All Saints Grassland 1.92 LoWS Basildon and pastures Neutral meadows Bas4 Basildon Meadows 6.25 SSSI Basildon and pastures Neutral meadows Bas5 Basildon Recreation 1.77 LoWS Basildon and pastures Neutral meadows Bas6 Bells Hill Meadow 1.49 LoWS Basildon and pastures Neutral meadows Bas7 Bowers Gifford Grass 43.51 LoWS Basildon and pastures Neutral meadows Bas8 Crays Hall Meadow 1.14 LoWS Basildon and pastures Neutral meadows Bas9 Dry Street Pastures 24.99 LoWS Basildon and pastures Neutral meadows Bas10 Gloucester Park Mead 3.20 LoWS Basildon and pastures Neutral meadows Bas11 Hawkesbury Manor 1.32 LoWS Basildon and pastures Neutral meadows Bas12 Home Farm Meadow 1.54 LoWS Basildon and pastures Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Bas13 Langdon Complex 11.31 LoWS Basildon and pastures Stewardship Neutral meadows Bas14 Mill Meadows LNR 14.85 LoWS Basildon Higher Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Bas15 Mill Meadows, Billericay 6.52 SSSI Basildon Higher Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Bas16 Norsey Meadow 1.38 LoWS Basildon and pastures Parkhill Wood Meadow Neutral meadows Bas17 1.31 Yes LoWS Basildon 2 and pastures Neutral meadows Bas18 Queens Park Meadow 2.60 Yes LoWS Basildon and pastures

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Neutral meadows Bas19 St Nicholas Church 4.65 LoWS Basildon and pastures Tompkins Farm Neutral meadows Bas20 2.86 LoWS Basildon Meadow and pastures Neutral meadows Bas21 Vange Hill 7.38 LoWS Basildon and pastures Bra22 Pods Brook Complex 2 5.44 Acid grassland LoWS Braintree Neutral meadows Bra23 Alphamstone Meadows 4.01 Yes LoWS Braintree and pastures Neutral meadows Bra24 Beazley End 5.25 Yes LoWS Braintree and pastures Belchamp Brook Valley Neutral meadows Bra25 7.13 Yes LoWS Braintree Entry Level Stewardship Marsh and pastures Belchamp Hall Neutral meadows Bra26 2.25 Yes LoWS Braintree Meadows and pastures Neutral meadows Bra27 Borley Mill Meadow 2.55 LoWS Braintree Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Bra28 Bounce's Farm Meadow 1.21 Yes LoWS Braintree and pastures Neutral meadows Bra29 Bounce's Farm Paddock 0.97 LoWS Braintree and pastures Neutral meadows Bra30 Bourne Brook Complex 38.45 Yes LoWS Braintree Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Brickfield and Long Neutral meadows Bra31 2.53 Yes LoWS Braintree Entry Level Stewardship Meado and pastures Neutral meadows Bra32 Bridge End Meadows 2.63 Yes LoWS Braintree and pastures Neutral meadows Bra33 Brockwell Meadows 1.08 Yes LoWS Braintree and pastures Neutral meadows Bra34 Chapel Hill Meadow 1.58 Yes LoWS Braintree and pastures Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Bra35 Coggeshall Hall Farm 7.02 LoWS Braintree and pastures Stewardship Daws Cross Nursery Neutral meadows Bra36 1.29 Yes LoWS Braintree Farm and pastures Neutral meadows Bra37 Daws Hall 1.13 LoWS Braintree and pastures Neutral meadows Bra38 Edgars Farm East 2.74 Yes LoWS Braintree and pastures

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Neutral meadows Bra39 Glebe Meadow 1.02 Yes LoWS Braintree and pastures Neutral meadows Bra40 Great Bardfield Marsh 2.41 Yes LoWS Braintree and pastures Neutral meadows Bra41 Hall Farm Meadows 4.29 Yes LoWS Braintree Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Bra42 Hoo Hall Meadow 2.05 Yes LoWS Braintree and pastures Neutral meadows Bra43 Howe Farm Meadow 1.48 Yes LoWS Braintree and pastures Neutral meadows Bra44 Howe Meadow 3.70 Yes LoWS Braintree and pastures Neutral meadows Bra45 Lapwing Meadows 2.40 Yes LoWS Braintree and pastures Neutral meadows Bra46 Mill Race Marsh 2.32 Yes LoWS Braintree Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Netherhall Marsh Neutral meadows Bra47 1.91 Yes LoWS Braintree Entry Level Stewardship Meadow and pastures Neutral meadows Bra48 Park House Meadow 2.70 LoWS Braintree and pastures Parsonage Farm Neutral meadows Bra49 1.03 LoWS Braintree Meadow and pastures Neutral meadows Bra50 Pebmarsh Marsh 1.29 Yes LoWS Braintree and pastures Neutral meadows Bra51 Perces Meadow 5.35 Yes LoWS Braintree and pastures Neutral meadows Bra52 Pods Brook Complex 1 1.99 Yes LoWS Braintree and pastures Neutral meadows Bra53 Purshill Grassland 4.94 Yes LoWS Braintree and pastures Ridgewell Hall Meadow Neutral meadows Bra54 4.30 LoWS Braintree Entry Level Stewardship and and pastures Neutral meadows Bra55 Riverview Meadows 3.52 Yes LoWS Braintree and pastures Robin Hood Farm Neutral meadows Bra56 1.30 Yes LoWS Braintree Meadow and pastures Neutral meadows Bra57 Shrubs Farm 1.00 Yes LoWS Braintree Entry Level Stewardship and pastures

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Neutral meadows Bra58 Sloe Cottage Meadow 2.46 Yes LoWS Braintree and pastures Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Bra59 Stewardship 2 17.34 None Braintree and pastures Stewardship Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Bra60 Stewardship 3 5.08 None Braintree and pastures Stewardship Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Bra61 Stewardship 4 7.29 None Braintree and pastures Stewardship Neutral meadows Bra62 Stewardship 6 1.60 None Braintree Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Bra63 Stewardship 7 13.30 None Braintree and pastures Stewardship The Old Rectory Neutral meadows Bra64 3.34 LoWS Braintree Meadows and pastures UK BAP Inventory - Neutral meadows Bra65 0.99 LoWS Braintree Entry Level Stewardship Park Farm Meadow and pastures Neutral meadows Bra66 Whet Mead LNR 11.36 LoWS Braintree and pastures Neutral meadows Bra67 Witham Marsh 11.65 Yes LoWS Braintree and pastures Neutral meadows Bra68 Yeldham Station Marsh 2.17 Yes LoWS Braintree and pastures Bre69 Little Warley Common 7.42 Acid grassland LoWS Brentwood Bre70 Mill Green Heath 0.87 Acid grassland LoWS Brentwood Bre71 Navestock Heath 6.01 Acid grassland Yes LoWS Brentwood Bre72 Weald Country Park 4.65 Acid grassland LoWS Brentwood Higher Level Stewardship Brentwood Radio Neutral meadows Bre73 3.54 LoWS Brentwood Station and pastures Neutral meadows Bre74 Coxtie Green Pasture 7.19 Yes LoWS Brentwood and pastures Neutral meadows Bre75 Curtismill Green 5.19 Yes SSSI Brentwood Higher Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Bre76 Hall Wood Meadows 8.62 LoWS Brentwood and pastures Neutral meadows Bre77 Jericho Priory 1.99 LoWS Brentwood and pastures Neutral meadows Bre78 Jury Hill 4.09 LoWS Brentwood Higher Level Stewardship and pastures

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Merlincock Wood Neutral meadows Bre79 2.55 Yes LoWS Brentwood Entry Level Stewardship Pasture and pastures Castle Farm/Hadleigh Cas80 2.28 Acid grassland LoWS Castle Point Castle 2 Thundersley Great Cas81 3.11 Acid grassland SSSI Castle Point Higher Level Stewardship Common Benfleet & Southend Neutral meadows Cas82 19.74 SSSI Castle Point Higher Level Stewardship Marshes and pastures Neutral meadows Cas83 Benfleet Sewage Works 4.02 LoWS Castle Point and pastures Castle Farm/Hadleigh Neutral meadows Cas84 16.59 LoWS Castle Point Castle 1 and pastures Neutral meadows Cas85 Fane Road Meadows 2.11 LoWS Castle Point and pastures Neutral meadows Cas86 Garrold's Meadow 5.02 SSSI Castle Point and pastures Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Cas87 Little Haven Complex 2.05 LoWS Castle Point and pastures Stewardship Montgomery School Neutral meadows Cas88 3.80 LoWS Castle Point Meadow and pastures Neutral meadows Cas89 Oakwood Reservoirs 2.43 LoWS Castle Point and pastures Neutral meadows Cas90 Reeds Hill Pasture 1.56 LoWS Castle Point and pastures Rushbottom Lane Flood Neutral meadows Cas91 3.15 Yes LoWS Castle Point Pound and pastures Neutral meadows Cas92 Shipwrights Meadow 1.14 LoWS Castle Point and pastures Neutral meadows Cas93 The Chase Paddocks 5.23 LoWS Castle Point and pastures Vicarage Hall Neutral meadows Cas94 5.72 LoWS Castle Point Grasslands and pastures Che95 Danbury Common 2 8.14 Acid grassland SSSI Chelmsford Che96 Danbury Common 3 1.55 Acid grassland SSSI Chelmsford Che97 Danbury Palace 2.77 Acid grassland LoWS Chelmsford Che98 Galleywood Common 13.13 Acid grassland LoWS Chelmsford Neutral meadows Che99 Blythhedges Meadow 1.32 LoWS Chelmsford and pastures

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Neutral meadows Che100 Boreham Meads 9.37 LoWS Chelmsford and pastures Broomfield - Little Neutral meadows Che101 7.35 Yes LoWS Chelmsford Entry Level Stewardship Waltham and pastures Neutral meadows Che102 Bushey Hill 12.13 LoWS Chelmsford and pastures Neutral meadows Che103 Canterburys Meadows 2.94 LoWS Chelmsford and pastures Chalybeate Spring Neutral meadows Che104 2.19 Yes LoWS Chelmsford Entry Level Stewardship Meadow and pastures Neutral meadows Che105 Charlie's Bit 2.18 LoWS Chelmsford and pastures Crowsheath Wood and Neutral meadows Che106 1.24 LoWS Chelmsford Entry Level Stewardship Meado and pastures Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Che107 Danbury Common 1 2.00 SSSI Chelmsford and pastures Stewardship Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Che108 Dell Meadow 1.54 LoWS Chelmsford and pastures Stewardship Neutral meadows Che109 Hylands Park 56.60 LoWS Chelmsford and pastures Little Waltham Village Neutral meadows Che110 3.19 LoWS Chelmsford Meadow and pastures Neutral meadows Che111 Littley Park Meadows 21.40 LoWS Chelmsford Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Che112 Oak Stables Meadow 1.61 LoWS Chelmsford and pastures Neutral meadows Che113 Overshot Complex 11.20 Yes LoWS Chelmsford Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Che114 Pheasanthouse Farm 7.24 LoWS Chelmsford and pastures Plough and Sail Neutral meadows Che115 3.49 LoWS Chelmsford Meadows and pastures Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Che116 Stewardship - Osiers 2.05 Part LoWS Chelmsford and pastures Stewardship Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Che117 Stewardship 1 5.27 None Chelmsford and pastures Stewardship Neutral meadows Che118 Stock Brook Meadow 1.21 LoWS Chelmsford and pastures

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Essex Grassland Study Final Report

Neutral meadows Che119 The Willows 6.28 LoWS Chelmsford and pastures Neutral meadows Che120 Waterhall Meadows 1.56 LoWS Chelmsford and pastures Neutral meadows Che121 Wellhope Meadow 1.40 Yes LoWS Chelmsford Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Che122 Writtle Bridge Meadow 14.61 Yes LoWS Chelmsford and pastures Stewardship Col123 Black Brook 1 2.63 Acid grassland LoWS Colchester Col124 Black Brook 3 1.60 Acid grassland Yes LoWS Colchester Entry Level Stewardship Col125 Black Brook 4 2.84 Acid grassland LoWS Colchester Entry Level Stewardship Col126 Cadgers 3.30 Acid grassland LoWS Colchester Col127 Cook's Lane, Lexden 1.93 Acid grassland LoWS Colchester Col128 Fordham Heath 3.87 Acid grassland LoWS Colchester Col129 Hilly Fields 24.90 Acid grassland Yes LoWS Colchester Entry Level Stewardship Col130 Layer Breton Heath 5.33 Acid grassland LoWS Colchester Entry Level plus Higher Level Col131 Lodge Hills 9.76 Acid grassland LoWS Colchester Stewardship Col132 Malting Green 1.15 Acid grassland LoWS Colchester Col133 Manwood Chase 2 1.23 Acid grassland LoWS Colchester Col134 Middlewick Ranges 59.81 Acid grassland LoWS Colchester Col135 Roman River 1 79.59 Acid grassland SSSI Colchester Higher Level Stewardship Col136 Roman River East 11.39 Acid grassland LoWS Colchester Entry Level Stewardship Neutral meadows Col137 Ball Grove 1.18 LoWS Colchester and pastures Neutral meadows Col138 Black Brook 2 5.01 Yes LoWS Colchester Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Col139 Bounstead Bridge 1.28 LoWS Colchester and pastures Neutral meadows Col140 Bounstead Bridge West 1.52 Yes LoWS Colchester Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Col141 Bridges Farm 16.36 Yes LoWS Colchester and pastures

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Essex Grassland Study Final Report

Neutral meadows Col142 Cymbeline Meadows 46.70 Yes LoWS Colchester Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Col143 Domsey Brook Pasture 1.61 Yes LoWS Colchester and pastures Fordham Bridge Neutral meadows Col144 4.46 Yes LoWS Colchester Entry Level Stewardship Meadow and pastures Neutral meadows Col145 High Woods 47.55 LoWS Colchester and pastures Neutral meadows Col146 Iron Latch 2.12 LoWS Colchester Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Langham Road Neutral meadows Col147 2.55 Yes LoWS Colchester Grassland and pastures Neutral meadows Col148 Lexden Park 1.75 LoWS Colchester and pastures Neutral meadows Col149 Lexden Springs LNR 1.54 Yes LoWS Colchester and pastures Neutral meadows Col150 Manwood Chase 1 2.30 LoWS Colchester and pastures Neutral meadows Col151 Manwood Chase 3 6.76 Yes LoWS Colchester and pastures Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Col152 Pete Tye Common 13.10 LoWS Colchester and pastures Stewardship Neutral meadows Col153 Roman River 2 13.36 SSSI Colchester and pastures Neutral meadows Col154 Roman River 3 1.48 Yes SSSI Colchester and pastures Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Col155 Salary Brook 18.50 Yes LoWS Colchester and pastures Stewardship Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Col156 Stewardship 5 2.32 None Colchester and pastures Stewardship Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Col157 Stewardship 9 10.00 None Colchester and pastures Stewardship Neutral meadows Col158 Wakes Colne Meadow 1.40 Yes LoWS Colchester and pastures Bell Common/Ivy Epp159 2.58 Acid grassland LoWS Epping Forest Chimneys 2 Chigwell Heath and Epp160 4.00 Acid grassland LoWS Epping Forest Wood

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Essex Grassland Study Final Report

Entry Level plus Higher Level Epp161 Copped Hall Green 2.03 Acid grassland Yes LoWS Epping Forest Stewardship Epp162 Day's Farm Paddocks 3.22 Acid grassland LoWS Epping Forest Hainault Forest Golf Epp163 2.53 Acid grassland LoWS Epping Forest Course Epp164 Oak Farm Grassland 1.38 Acid grassland LoWS Epping Forest Bell Common/Ivy Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Epp165 6.02 LoWS Epping Forest Chimneys 1 and pastures Stewardship Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Epp166 Birch Hall Pastures 6.23 LoWS Epping Forest and pastures Stewardship Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Epp167 Carroll's Farm Complex 10.17 LoWS Epping Forest and pastures Stewardship Neutral meadows Epp168 Chevers Hall Meadow 1.66 LoWS Epping Forest and pastures Church Lane Flood Neutral meadows Epp169 2.83 Yes LoWS Epping Forest Meadow and pastures Cornmill Stream & Old Neutral meadows Epp170 9.32 Yes SSSI Epping Forest River Lea and pastures Neutral meadows Epp171 Crabtree Hill Paddocks 1.87 LoWS Epping Forest and pastures Neutral meadows Epp172 Dorkings Farm Meadow 1.03 LoWS Epping Forest and pastures Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Epp173 Epping Long Green East 2.58 LoWS Epping Forest and pastures Stewardship Epping Long Green Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Epp174 1.25 LoWS Epping Forest West and pastures Stewardship Neutral meadows Epp175 Gilwell Park South 2.38 LoWS Epping Forest and pastures Neutral meadows Epp176 Grange Farm Grasslands 6.37 LoWS Epping Forest and pastures Neutral meadows Epp177 Hainault Forest Meadow 3.31 LoWS Epping Forest and pastures Hallsford Bridge Neutral meadows Epp178 2.63 Yes LoWS Epping Forest Meadow and pastures Neutral meadows Epp179 Hawksmere Springs 1.53 LoWS Epping Forest and pastures Neutral meadows Epp180 Housham Tye Green 1.39 LoWS Epping Forest and pastures

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Essex Grassland Study Final Report

Neutral meadows Epp181 Hunsdon Mead 7.55 Yes SSSI Epping Forest and pastures Neutral meadows Epp182 Linder's Field 1.50 LoWS Epping Forest and pastures Matching Airfield Neutral meadows Epp183 3.20 LoWS Epping Forest Mosaic and pastures Neutral meadows Epp184 Matching Green 3.79 LoWS Epping Forest and pastures Neutral meadows Epp185 Mill Street Green 2.74 LoWS Epping Forest and pastures Neutral meadows Epp186 Nazeing Church Fields 2.11 LoWS Epping Forest and pastures Neutral meadows Epp187 Northfield Marsh 6.96 Yes LoWS Epping Forest Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Epp188 Obelisk field 10.08 None Epping Forest Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Epp189 Ongar Radio Station 7.18 LoWS Epping Forest and pastures Roding Valley Meadows Neutral meadows Epp190 17.70 Yes SSSI Epping Forest 1 and pastures Roding Valley Meadows Neutral meadows Epp191 6.98 Yes LoWS Epping Forest 2 and pastures Roding Valley Meadows Neutral meadows Epp192 15.90 LoWS Epping Forest 3 and pastures Roydon Brickfields Neutral meadows Epp193 4.71 LoWS Epping Forest North and pastures Neutral meadows Epp194 Roydon Mead 7.95 Yes LoWS Epping Forest and pastures Sewardstone Green Neutral meadows Epp195 1.58 LoWS Epping Forest Paddock and pastures Neutral meadows Epp196 Sparks Farm Marsh 1.94 Yes LoWS Epping Forest and pastures Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Epp197 Swaines Green 3.21 LoWS Epping Forest and pastures Stewardship Neutral meadows Epp198 The Moors 1.76 Yes LoWS Epping Forest Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Epp199 Thornwood LNR 2.98 Yes LoWS Epping Forest and pastures

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Essex Grassland Study Final Report

Neutral meadows Epp200 Tyler's Green Grasslands 3.31 Yes LoWS Epping Forest and pastures Neutral meadows Epp201 UK BAP Inventory 2 3.13 None Epping Forest and pastures Neutral meadows Epp202 UK BAP Inventory 3 3.09 None Epping Forest Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Epp203 UK BAP Inventory 5 1.89 None Epping Forest and pastures Neutral meadows Epp204 Weald Bridge Meadow 1.05 Yes LoWS Epping Forest and pastures Neutral meadows Epp205 Weald LNR 1.24 Yes LoWS Epping Forest and pastures Woodlands Farm Neutral meadows Epp206 2.78 LoWS Epping Forest Meadow and pastures Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Epp207 Yardley Hill Meadow 10.11 LoWS Epping Forest and pastures Stewardship Neutral meadows Har208 Harlow Station Marsh 3.07 Yes LoWS Harlow and pastures Neutral meadows Har209 Latton Common 27.05 LoWS Harlow and pastures Maymead Marsh and Neutral meadows Har210 1.55 Yes LoWS Harlow Meadow and pastures Neutral meadows Har211 Parndon Mill Mead 12.20 Yes LoWS Harlow and pastures Neutral meadows Har212 Todd Brook Meadows 7.66 LoWS Harlow and pastures Mal213 Asheldham Camp 2.55 Acid grassland LoWS Maldon Mal214 Manor Road Complex 4.58 Acid grassland LoWS Maldon Mal215 Warren Pit 4.60 Acid grassland LoWS Maldon Neutral meadows Mal216 Chigborough Lakes 1.88 LoWS Maldon Higher Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Mal217 Hilly Fields 3.15 LoWS Maldon and pastures Neutral meadows Mal218 Langford Cut Meadows 5.24 LoWS Maldon Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Mal219 Oaklands Park Complex 2.15 LoWS Maldon and pastures

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Essex Grassland Study Final Report

Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Mal220 Oxley Meadow 3.56 LoWS Maldon and pastures Stewardship Neutral meadows Mal221 UK BAP Inventory 1 1.57 None Maldon and pastures EDWARDS HALL Neutral meadows Roc222 11.62 LoWS Rochford PARK and pastures MAGNOLIA NATURE Neutral meadows Roc223 14.35 LoWS Rochford RESERVE and pastures Neutral meadows Southend-on- Sou224 Belton Hills 8.40 LoWS and pastures Sea Ten225 Manor House Meadow 1.59 Acid grassland LoWS Tendring Ten226 Mill Dam Meadow 1.64 Acid grassland LoWS Tendring Shir Burn Wood and Ten227 2.68 Acid grassland Yes LoWS Tendring Entry Level Stewardship Meadow Springhead Corner Ten228 1.95 Acid grassland LoWS Tendring Meadow Ten229 St Osyth Parkland 43.54 Acid grassland Yes LoWS Tendring Ten230 Thors Park Meadow 2.58 Acid grassland LoWS Tendring Ten231 Wignall Street Grassland 2.50 Acid grassland LoWS Tendring Neutral meadows Ten232 Bentley Brook 28.38 Yes LoWS Tendring Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Ten233 Bentley Green (West) 1.40 LoWS Tendring and pastures Neutral meadows Ten234 Burcart's Meadow 4.13 LoWS Tendring and pastures Neutral meadows Ten235 Bursville Park 7.70 LoWS Tendring and pastures Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Ten236 Churn Wood Meadow 1.28 Yes LoWS Tendring and pastures Stewardship Neutral meadows Ten237 East End Green 2.03 LoWS Tendring and pastures Neutral meadows Ten238 Far Thorpe Green 2.23 LoWS Tendring and pastures Neutral meadows Ten239 Furze Hills Complex 9.77 Yes LoWS Tendring Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Great Bentley Pumping Neutral meadows Ten240 2.07 LoWS Tendring Station and pastures

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Essex Grassland Study Final Report

Neutral meadows Ten241 Lower Botany Farm 4.36 LoWS Tendring and pastures Stewardship - Great Neutral meadows Entry Level plus Higher Level Ten242 1.13 LoWS Tendring Holland Pits and pastures Stewardship Wignall Brook Neutral meadows Ten243 14.03 Yes LoWS Tendring Grasslands and pastures Thu244 Belhus Park East 10.11 Acid grassland LoWS Thurrock Thu245 Buckingham Hill 11.16 Acid grassland LoWS Thurrock Thu246 Jill's Field 8.63 Acid grassland Yes LoWS Thurrock Entry Level Stewardship Thu247 One Tree Hill 2.81 Acid grassland LoWS Thurrock Thu248 Orsett Camp Quarry 8.50 Acid grassland LoWS Thurrock Calcareous Thu249 Warren Gorge 5.21 LoWS Thurrock grassland Neutral meadows Thu250 Goldsmith's Meadow 3.32 LoWS Thurrock and pastures Neutral meadows Thu251 Hawkesbury Grasslands 12.03 LoWS Thurrock and pastures Neutral meadows Thu252 Martinhole Meadow 1.27 LoWS Thurrock and pastures Neutral meadows Thu253 Stanford Meadow 2.57 Yes LoWS Thurrock and pastures Neutral meadows Thu254 Vange Depot 2.76 LoWS Thurrock and pastures Thames terrace Thu255 Broom Hill 11.30 LoWS Thurrock grassland Thames terrace Thu256 Low Street Pit 3.09 LoWS Thurrock grassland Thames terrace Thu257 West Tilbury Hall 1.99 LoWS Thurrock grassland Calcareous Utt258 Ashdon Meadows 1.02 Yes SSSI Uttlesford Entry Level Stewardship grassland Calcareous Utt259 Building End Meadows 3.41 LoWS Uttlesford grassland Calcareous Utt260 Cowless Hall Meadows 2.72 LoWS Uttlesford Entry Level Stewardship grassland Calcareous Utt261 Debden Water 12.12 SSSI Uttlesford Entry Level Stewardship grassland

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Essex Grassland Study Final Report

Calcareous Utt262 Farnham Green 3.74 LoWS Uttlesford grassland Calcareous Utt263 Quendon Park 21.26 LoWS Uttlesford Entry Level Stewardship grassland Calcareous Utt264 The Mount, Stansted 5.01 LoWS Uttlesford grassland Neutral meadows Utt265 Aubrey Buxton Reserve 2.38 Yes LoWS Uttlesford Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Utt266 Audley Park Pastures 8.34 LoWS Uttlesford Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Utt267 Bran End 8.24 Yes LoWS Uttlesford and pastures Neutral meadows Utt268 Bustard Green 3.05 LoWS Uttlesford and pastures Neutral meadows Utt269 Canfield End Pastures 2.45 LoWS Uttlesford Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Utt270 Chalks Green 1.22 LoWS Uttlesford Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Utt271 Chickney Hall 2.25 Yes LoWS Uttlesford and pastures Neutral meadows Utt272 Cutlers Green 1.00 LoWS Uttlesford and pastures Neutral meadows Utt273 Ellis Green 1.00 LoWS Uttlesford Organic Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Utt274 Fitzjohns Marsh 1.99 Yes LoWS Uttlesford Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Hallingbury Mill Neutral meadows Utt275 6.94 Yes LoWS Uttlesford Pastures and pastures Neutral meadows Utt276 Hatfield Heath 1.25 LoWS Uttlesford and pastures Neutral meadows Utt277 Kiora Pastures 1.45 LoWS Uttlesford and pastures Neutral meadows Utt278 Molehill Green 1.42 LoWS Uttlesford and pastures Neutral meadows Utt279 Pelham Centre Meadow 1.87 LoWS Uttlesford and pastures Neutral meadows Utt280 Pledgdon Green 2.20 LoWS Uttlesford and pastures

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Essex Grassland Study Final Report

Neutral meadows Utt281 Radwinter Manor Place 2.73 LoWS Uttlesford and pastures Neutral meadows Utt282 Stansted Marsh 1.81 Yes LoWS Uttlesford and pastures Neutral meadows Utt283 Stebbing Green 2.83 LoWS Uttlesford and pastures Neutral meadows Utt284 Stewardship 8 1.65 None Uttlesford Entry Level Stewardship and pastures Neutral meadows Utt285 Tilty Mill Meadow 2.49 Yes LoWS Uttlesford and pastures Turner's Spring/The Neutral meadows Utt286 0.98 Yes LoWS Uttlesford Bourn and pastures Neutral meadows Utt287 UK BAP Inventory 4 1.36 None Uttlesford and pastures Neutral meadows Utt288 UK BAP Inventory 5 1.13 None Uttlesford and pastures

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Essex Grassland Study Final Report

Appendix 2 Floristic Tables

Applied Ecology Ltd

Essex Grassland Study Final Report

Summary floristic table for TWINSPAN groups 1-3

Species Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Deschampsia flexuosa V (1-9) - - - - Agrostis canina IV (3-4) I (2) - - Molinia caerulea IV (2-9) - - - - Calluna vulgaris III (4-6) - - - -

Ranunculus repens - - V (1-8) III (6) Alopecurus geniculatus - - IV (1-9) - - Glyceria fluitans - - III (3-8) - -

Deschampsia cespitosa - - - - V (6) Juncus effusus - - II 2-5 III (4) Alopecurus pratensis - - I (1) III (1) Elytrigia repens I (2) - - III (1) Juncus inflexus I (1) - - III (1) Lycopus europaeus I (2) - - III (2) Anthoxanthum odoratum - - - - III (1) Festuca rubra - - - - III (2) Juncus conglomeratus - - - - III (1)

Holcus lanatus - - II (3-6) III (1) Agrostis stolonifera II (2-5) II (1-2) - - Poa trivialis - - II (2) - - Carex hirta ------

Betula sp. II (1-2) - - - - Carex sp. II (1-3) - - - - Potentilla erecta II (3-7) - - - - Ulex europaeus II (1-2) - - - - Cardamine pratensis - - II (1) - - Glyceria declinata - - II (4-7) - - Phalaris arundinacea - - II (1-2) - - Polygonum persicaria - - II (1-2) - - Ranunculus flammula - - II (5) - - Agrostis vinealis II (4-5) - - - - Callitriche sp. - - II (1-2) - -

Bryophytes ------Litter - - - - III (3) Bare ground II (1-4) I (4) III (7)

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Essex Grassland Study Final Report

Summary floristic table for TWINSPAN group 4

Species Group 4 Holcus lanatus V (1-7) Ranunculus repens V (1-9)

Carex hirta III (1-8) Juncus inflexus III (1-7) Poa trivialis III (1-9)

Agrostis stolonifera II (1-7) Alopecurus pratensis II (1-8) Cardamine pratensis II (1-3) Cerastium fontanum II (1-5) Cirsium arvense II (1-4) Cirsium palustre II (1-3) Festuca rubra II (1-7) Filipendula ulmaria II (1-6) Juncus articulatus II (2-7) Juncus effusus II (1-7) Lathyrus pratensis II (1-3) Lotus pedunculatus II (1-7) Poa pratensis II (1-7) Ranunculus acris II (1-8) Rumex acetosa II (1-4) Trifolium repens II (1-8)

Bryophytes I (1-6) Litter - - Bare ground I (2-5)

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Essex Grassland Study Final Report

Summary floristic table for TWINSPAN Group 5 (sub-groups 5a-5d)

Species Sub-group 5a Sub-group 5b Sub-group 5c Sub-group 5d

Constant species Holcus lanatus V (1-7) V (1-6) V (1-8) V 1-8 Festuca rubra IV (1-8) V (1-9) IV (1-9) IV 1-8

Group 5a preferentials Trifolium pratense V (1-6) II (1-6) II (1-8) I 1-4 Anthoxanthum odoratum IV (1-9) III (1-8) II (1-6) I 1-6 Lotus corniculatus IV (1-5) III (1-6) I (4-5) I 1-3 Ranunculus acris IV (1-6) III (1-7) II (1-7) I 1-4

Group 5b preferentials Trifolium repens III (1-6) V (1-7) I (1-4) II 1-4 Achillea millefolium I (1-3) V (1-6) III (1-4) III 1-6 Agrostis capillaris I (1-7) V (1-9) II (1-7) II 1-8 Cerastium fontanum III (1-5) IV (1-3) II (1-3) III 1-4 Lolium perenne III (1-7) IV (1-7) I (1-4) IV 1-8 Plantago lanceolata III (1-3) IV (1-7) II (1-3) II 1-4 Dactylis glomerata II (1-5) IV (1-6) IV (1-7) V 1-8

Group 5c preferentials Arrhenatherum elatius I (1-3) I (1-5) IV (1-8) II 1-5 Cirsium arvense II (1-5) II (1-5) III (1-5) II 1-3

Group 5d preferentials Ranunculus repens II (1-4) II 1-7 III 1-5 III 1-6 Alopecurus pratensis I (1-8) II 1-6 II 1-6 III 1-8 Poa trivialis I (1-7) II 1-5 II 1-4 III 1-7 Agrostis stolonifera II (1-7) I 1-5 II 1-7 III 1-7 Festuca pratensis I (1-3) I 1-4 II 1-6 III 1-7

Other species Phleum pratense II (1-7) III 1-6 II 1-6 II 1-6 Poa pratensis II (1-4) III 1-5 II 1-6 II 1-5 Rumex acetosa II (1-5) III 1-6 II 1-4 II 1-4 Potentilla reptans II (1-7) II 1-6 II 1-4 II 1-5 Elytrigia repens I (1-3) I 1-2 II 1-7 II 1-7 Prunella vulgaris II (1-3) II 1-5 I 1-5 II 1-5 Trisetum flavescens II (1-5) II 1-4 I 1-5 II 1-6 Veronica chamaedrys I (1-5) I 1-3 I 1-3 II 1-4 Centaurea nigra II (1-7) III 1-4 III 1-8 I 1-4 Agrimonia eupatoria I (1-4) I 1-2 II 1-4 I 1-1 Heracleum sphondylium I (1) I 1-2 II 1-4 I 1-3 Convolvulus arvensis - - I 1-3 II 1-3 I 1-3 Galium verum - I 1-4 II 1-8 I 1-6

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Essex Grassland Study Final Report

Cynosurus cristatus III (1-8) III 1-8 I 1-4 I 1-5 Bellis perennis II (1-4) III 1-5 I 1-2 I 1-4 Luzula campestris II (1-4) III 1-5 I 1-1 I 1-3 Lathyrus pratensis III (1-4) II 1-3 I 1-6 I 1-4 Senecio jacobaea II (1-4) II 1-4 I 1-2 I 1-5 Carex hirta I (1-3) II 1-5 I 1-4 I 1-2 Taraxacum sp. I (1-4) II 1-3 I 1-5 I 1-2 Trifolium dubium I (1-2) II 1-5 I 1-2 I 1-7 Carex flacca II (1-9) I 1-4 I 3-5 I 2-5 Crataegus monogyna II (1-2) I 1-3 I 1-1 I 1-1 Ranunculus bulbosus II (1-5) I 1-5 I 1-2 I 1-5 Vicia sativa II (1-3) I 1-1 I 1-4 I 1-3

Bryophytes II 0.2-7 II 1-8 I 1-9 I 1-7 Litter I 0.5-1 I 1-4 I 2-6 I 0.5-2 Bare ground II 0.2-7 I 1-3 I 1-3 I 1-4

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