DOCSLIB.ORG

Grazing Management and Plant Community Composition on Bodmin Moor by Gavin Stewart

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Grazing Management and Plant Community Composition on Bodmin Moor by Gavin Stewart Grazing Management and Plant Community Composition on Bodmin Moor by Gavin Stewart A thesis submitted to the University of Plymouth in partial fulfilment for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Geographical and Geological Sciences and School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science November 2002 iv UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH Item No. ~ 0 \ <Sb~ Daie - 3 t-EB 2003 ~ Class No. J -r £ Table of contents List of figures X Lists of tables xiv Acknowledgements xvii Summary xviii 1. General Introduction 1 1.2 Introduction 1 1.2.1 Project rationale ............... ... .......... ................................. ! 1.2.2 The upland resource .............. ....... ................................. ! 1.3 Grazing in upland systems 3 1.4 Environmental heterogeneity within the British uplands 5 1.5 Bodmin Moor 5 1.6 Aims 6 1. 7 Thesis outline 7 2. The ecological character of Bodmin Moor 10 2.1 Introduction 10 2.2 Physical features 10 2.2.1 Geology and Geomorphology .. .. .............. ...................... 10 2.2.2 Landform, drainage and settlement. ............................. 13 2.3 Climate 15 2.3.1 General description ....... .... .... ...... ........................... ...... 15 2.3.2 Quantifying rainfall and oceanicity ............................... 16 2.4 Soils 18 2.4.1 Introduction. ........ ........................................................ IS 2.4.2 The Soils of Bodmin Moor ..... ................. ...................... 19 2.4.3 Vegetation and soils .......................... ......... .................. 22 2.5 Land use on Bodmin Moor 23 2.5.1 Past management and vegetation history ..................... 23 2.5.2 Vegetation management and land use during the 20th century .......................... ............................................................ ...... 31 2.6 Vegetation and conservation 37 2.6.1 The vegetation of Bodmin Moor and its conservation value ............................................................................................ 37 2.6.2 Conservation legislation and objectives. The future management of Bodmin Moor? .............................................. 45 2. 7 Conclusions 51 3. Grazing management and vegetation in upland habitats 53 3.1 Introduction 53 3.2 The direct and indirect mechanisms by which grazing affects vegetation 53 V Table of contents 3.2.1 Grazing and species diversity .......... ... .......... ................ 53 3 .2 .2 Trampling effects ........... ....... ... ... ... ............... .... .. ... .... .. 54 3.2.3 Effects of defecation .. .................... ............................... 55 3.3 The effect of different species and breeds of grazer within and between plant communities 56 3 .3 .1 Introduction ................................... ............. ................. 56 3.3.2 The effects of different stocking intensities ................... 64 3 .3.3 The effects of timing .. ............ ......... ..... ......... ................ 66 3 .3.4 The effect of supplementary feed .. .. ............. .. ....... ........ 67 3 .3.5 The effect of stock control (shepherding) .. ... .... .............. 68 3 .3.6 Interactions between grazing and other environmental variables ............................ ....... ................ ... ....... .. ................ 68 3.4 Conclusions 70 4. Succession in relation to grazing 72 4.1 Introduction 72 4 .1.1 The need for a coherent su ccessional paradigm .. .. ........ 72 4 .1.2 Definitions of succession .................... .. .. ...................... 72 4.2 Models of succession 74 4.2.1 Introduction ......................... ............... ............ ........... .. 74 4.2.2 Discrepancies between the models ....... .. ... ................... 74 4.3 Reductionism and competition theory 77 4.4 Multiple pathways 82 4.5 The effect of burning and grazing on upland plant community succession 83 4 .5 .1 Introduction ............... .................. .. ..... .............. ........... 83 4.5.2 Mire and wet heath communities ....... .......................... 88 4.5.3 Heathland communities ........... ... .. ...... .. .............. ......... 90 4.5.4 Grassland communities .... ... ...... ... .. .................... ......... 93 4.5.5 Overall implications for Countryside Stewardship prescriptions .. .. ... .......... ................................. .... .................. 95 4.6 Predictive models 95 4.7 The problem of scale 96 4.8 Models like methods are dependent upon objectives 98 4.9 Conclusions 98 5. The plant communities and environmental gradients of Bodmin Moor 102 5.1 INTRODUCTION 102 5.1.1 The history of vegetation description in Britain ... ....... 102 5 .1.2 Vegetation description in the South-west uplands of Britain ......... ................................. ......... .......... ................ .. .. ......... 103 5.1.3. Aims .. ..... ... ............. .............. .............. ................ ...... 104 5.2 Methods 104 5 .2.1 Sampling strategy ... .......... .. .............. ......................... 104 5 .2.2 Vegetation description ..... ...................... ...... .. .. .... ....... 105 5.2.3 Collection of environmental data ................................ 106 5 .2.4 Analysis of vegetation and environmental data ........... l lO 5.3 Results 115 vi Table of contents 5.3.1 Classification ............................................................. 115 5.3 .2 Ordination ........................... ...................................... 120 5.4 Discussion 131 5.4.1 Interpretation of species assemblages ........................ 131 5.4.2 The relationships between the different surveys and their classifications .... .................................. ........................ ....... 149 5.4.3 The use of vegetation classification for hypothesis generation concerning grazing mediated transitions ............................. 154 5.4.4 Interpretation of environmental gradients .................. 157 5 .5 Conclusions 160 6. The Soil Seed Banks of Bodmin Moor 162 6.1 Introduction 162 6 .1.1 Aims ............. .. .. ................... ....... ... .. .......................... 164 6.2 Methods 164 6.2.1 Collection of soil seed bank samples .......................... 164 6.2.2 Treatment of seed bank samples and seedling emergence counts ............................. ......................... ........ ...... .. .......... 165 6 .2.3 Data analysis ............................................................. 167 6 .3 Results 168 6 .3 .1 Surface Vegetation and seed bank composition .......... 168 6 .3 .2 Propagule availability .......... ... ...................... .. ............ 170 6 .3 .3 Germination timing .................................................... 173 6 .3.4 Variation in seed bank composition with depth .... ...... 174 6 .4 Discussion 188 6.4.1 Surface vegetation ........... .. ........ ................................ 188 6.4.2 Spatial variation in the composition of seed bank samples ..................... ...................... ......... ................ ... ................... 189 6.4.3 Propagule availability for dwarf-shrub regeneration .... 190 6.4.4 Competitive interactions between germinating species within safe-sites ................. ............... ........................................ .... 193 6.4.5 Heathland restoration: The spatial distribution of germinating propagules within assemblages on Bodmin Moor ................ 197 6.4.6 Heathland restoration: Variation in the timing of germination ................ ....... ...... .. .. ......................................................... 198 6.4.7 Does variation in seed bank composition with depth reflect seed bank persistence and temporal variability? ................. 199 6.4.8 Management implications .. ........................................ 202 6 .5 Conclusions 205 7 . Countryside Stewardship monitoring 207 7 .1 Introduction 207 7 .1.1 General Introduction .................................................. 207 7.1.2 Aims ................... ....................................................... 207 7 .2 Methods 208 7. 2.1 Data collection ....................................... .................... 208 7.2.2 Data analysis ..... ................. ....................................... 2 11 7.3 Results 2 13 vii Table of contents 7.3.1 Temporal variation in plant community composition assessed by frequency ................................. .. ....................... ............. 213 7 .3.2 Temporal variation in plant community composition assessed by biomass .................................. .. .... ................................. 221 7.3.3 Differences between patterns of frequency and biomass225 7 .3.4 Temporal variation in abundance of individual species225 7.4 Discussion 229 7 .4.1 Plant community responses ... ......................... ........... 229 7 .4.2 Individual species responses ...................................... 233 7 .4.3 Management implications .......................................... 236 7 .5 Conclusions 240 8. The response of Molinia caerulea to defoliation 243 8.1 Introduction 243 8.1.1 General Introduction .................................................. 243 8 .1.2 Aims ........................................................... ............... 246 8.2 Methods 246 8.2.1 Fieldwork .. .................... ........ ..................................... 246 8 .2.2 Data analysis ........ ..................................................... 249 8.3 Results 249 8.3.1 Species composition within the experimental plot.. ..... 249 8.3.2 Molinia response to experimental treatments ............. 253 8.4 Discussion 256
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Copyrighted Material
    176 Exchange (Penzance), Rail Ale Trail, 114 43, 49 Seven Stones pub (St Index Falmouth Art Gallery, Martin’s), 168 Index 101–102 Skinner’s Brewery A Foundry Gallery (Truro), 138 Abbey Gardens (Tresco), 167 (St Ives), 48 Barton Farm Museum Accommodations, 7, 167 Gallery Tresco (New (Lostwithiel), 149 in Bodmin, 95 Gimsby), 167 Beaches, 66–71, 159, 160, on Bryher, 168 Goldfish (Penzance), 49 164, 166, 167 in Bude, 98–99 Great Atlantic Gallery Beacon Farm, 81 in Falmouth, 102, 103 (St Just), 45 Beady Pool (St Agnes), 168 in Fowey, 106, 107 Hayle Gallery, 48 Bedruthan Steps, 15, 122 helpful websites, 25 Leach Pottery, 47, 49 Betjeman, Sir John, 77, 109, in Launceston, 110–111 Little Picture Gallery 118, 147 in Looe, 115 (Mousehole), 43 Bicycling, 74–75 in Lostwithiel, 119 Market House Gallery Camel Trail, 3, 15, 74, in Newquay, 122–123 (Marazion), 48 84–85, 93, 94, 126 in Padstow, 126 Newlyn Art Gallery, Cardinham Woods in Penzance, 130–131 43, 49 (Bodmin), 94 in St Ives, 135–136 Out of the Blue (Maraz- Clay Trails, 75 self-catering, 25 ion), 48 Coast-to-Coast Trail, in Truro, 139–140 Over the Moon Gallery 86–87, 138 Active-8 (Liskeard), 90 (St Just), 45 Cornish Way, 75 Airports, 165, 173 Pendeen Pottery & Gal- Mineral Tramways Amusement parks, 36–37 lery (Pendeen), 46 Coast-to-Coast, 74 Ancient Cornwall, 50–55 Penlee House Gallery & National Cycle Route, 75 Animal parks and Museum (Penzance), rentals, 75, 85, 87, sanctuaries 11, 43, 49, 129 165, 173 Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Round House & Capstan tours, 84–87 113 Gallery (Sennen Cove, Birding,
    [Show full text]
  • Environment Agency South West Region
    ENVIRONMENT AGENCY SOUTH WEST REGION 1997 ANNUAL HYDROMETRIC REPORT Environment Agency Manley House, Kestrel Way Sowton Industrial Estate Exeter EX2 7LQ Tel 01392 444000 Fax 01392 444238 GTN 7-24-X 1000 Foreword The 1997 Hydrometric Report is the third document of its kind to be produced since the formation of the Environment Agency (South West Region) from the National Rivers Authority, Her Majesty Inspectorate of Pollution and Waste Regulation Authorities. The document is the fourth in a series of reports produced on an annua! basis when all available data for the year has been archived. The principal purpose of the report is to increase the awareness of the hydrometry within the South West Region through listing the current and historic hydrometric networks, key hydrometric staff contacts, what data is available and the reporting options available to users. If you have any comments regarding the content or format of this report then please direct these to the Regional Hydrometric Section at Exeter. A questionnaire is attached to collate your views on the annual hydrometric report. Your time in filling in the questionnaire is appreciated. ENVIRONMENT AGENCY Contents Page number 1.1 Introduction.............................. .................................................... ........-................1 1.2 Hydrometric staff contacts.................................................................................. 2 1.3 South West Region hydrometric network overview......................................3 2.1 Hydrological summary: overview
    [Show full text]
  • [email protected] 27Th May 2016 De
    Hawks Tor Drive Lewannick Launceston Cornwall PL15 7QY Tel. 01566 782262 E-Mail: [email protected] 27textth May 2016 Dear Parent/Carer, As previously stated in the school newsletter, a grant has been secured from The Royal Society enabling Year 5/6 pupils in Trewortha to undertake an exciting Science & Geography project entitled ‘Water Warriors’. Pupils will explore aspects of the River Tamar from source to where it meets the sea and develop their understanding of habitats, water quality, uses of the river, the water cycle and food chains. The project will take place during a two week period beginning Monday 13th June and involve a variety of off site visits and field studies, providing pupils with an exciting and unique opportunity to explore practical scientific techniques while working with related professionals. The project has been developed in partnership with the Westcountry Rivers Trust. Please be aware of the following off site visits and requirements: Monday 13th June – Davidstow & Crowdy Reservoir Visit to Davidstow to seek out the source of the River Inny, along with a visit to Crowdy Reservoir where pupils will meet Nigel Tomkinson, the SW Lakes Trust warden for the area who will talk about conservation/land management at Crowdy and then Jack McCarey from South West Water who will talk about the water supply/dam. Please Note: Pupils selected to attend the Bodmin Swimming Gala will not be able to attend but we will provide an additional opportunity for them to visit the source at a later date. This is a morning trip, with the coach leaving school at 9.30am and returning in time for lunch.
    [Show full text]
  • Review of Coverage of the National Vegetation Classification
    JNCC Report No. 302 Review of coverage of the National Vegetation Classification JS Rodwell, JC Dring, ABG Averis, MCF Proctor, AJC Malloch, JHJ Schaminée, & TCD Dargie July 2000 This report should be cited as: Rodwell, JS, Dring, JC, Averis, ABG, Proctor, MCF, Malloch, AJC, Schaminée, JNJ, & Dargie TCD, 2000 Review of coverage of the National Vegetation Classification JNCC Report, No. 302 © JNCC, Peterborough 2000 For further information please contact: Habitats Advice Joint Nature Conservation Committee Monkstone House, City Road, Peterborough PE1 1JY UK ISSN 0963-8091 1 2 Contents Preface .............................................................................................................................................................. 4 Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................................................... 4 1 Introduction.............................................................................................................................................. 5 1.1 Coverage of the original NVC project......................................................................................................... 5 1.2 Generation of NVC-related data by the community of users ...................................................................... 5 2 Methodology............................................................................................................................................. 7 2.1 Reviewing the wider European scene.........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • River Water Quality 1992 Classification by Determinand
    N f\A - S oo-Ha (jO$*\z'3'Z2 Environmental Protection Final Draft Report RIVER WATER QUALITY 1992 CLASSIFICATION BY DETERMINAND May 1993 Water Quality Technical Note FWS/93/005 Author: R J Broome Freshwater Scientist NRA CV.M. Davies National Rivers A h ority Environmental Protection Manager South West Region RIVER WATER QUALITY 1992 CLASSIFICATION BY DETERMINAND 1. INTRODUCTION River water quality is monitored in 34 catchments in the region. Samples are collected at a minimum frequency of once a month from 422 watercourses at 890 locations within the Regional Monitoring Network. Each sample is analysed for a range of chemical and physical determinands. These sample results are stored in the Water Quality Archive. A computerised system assigns a quality class to each monitoring location and associated upstream river reach. This report contains the results of the 1992 river water quality classifications for each determinand used in the classification process. 2. RIVER WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT The assessment of river water quality is by comparison of current water quality against River Quality Objectives (RQO's) which have been set for many river lengths in the region. Individual determinands have been classified in accordance with the requirements of the National Water Council (NWC) river classification system which identifies river water quality as being one of five classes as shown in Table 1 below: TABLE 1 NATIONAL WATER COUNCIL - CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM CLASS DESCRIPTION 1A Good quality IB Lesser good quality 2 Fair quality 3 Poor quality 4 Bad quality The classification criteria used for attributing a quality class to each criteria are shown in Appendix 1.
    [Show full text]
  • SOUTH WEST REGION a G E N C Y
    y , D A O f n i ENVIRONMENT AGENCY E n v i r o n m e n t SOUTH WEST REGION A g e n c y 1998 ANNUAL HYDROMETRIC REPORT Environment Agency Manley House, Kestrel Way Sowton Industrial Estate Exeter EX2 7LQ Tel 01392 444000 Fax 01392 444238 GTN 7-24-X 1000 En v ir o n m e n t Ag e n c y NATIONAL LIBRARY & INFORMATION SERVICE SOUTH WEST REGION Manley House, Kestrel Way, Exeter EX 2 7LQ Ww+ 100 •1 -T ' C o p y V ENVIRONMENT AGENCY SOUTH WEST REGION 1998 ANNUAL HYDROMETRIC REPORT Environment Agency Manley House, Kestrel Way Sowton Indutrial Estate Exeter EX2 7LQ Tel: 01392 444000 Fax: 01392 333238 ENVIRONMENT AGENCY uiiiiiiiiiin047228 TABLE OF CONTENTS HYDROMETRIC SUMMARY AND DATA FOR 1998 Page No. 1.0 INTRODUCTION........................................................................... ................................................. 1 1.1 Hydrometric Staff Contacts............................................................................................................1 1.2 South West Region Hydrometric Network Overview..............................................................3 2.0 HYDROLOGICAL SUMMARY.................................................................................................... 6 2.1 Annual Summary 1998....................................................................................................................6 2.2 1998 Monthly Hydrological Summary........................................................................................ 7 3.0 SURFACE WATER GAUGING STATIONS...........................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Application on Behalf of Cornwall Council and Caradon Observatory for Bodmin Moor to Be Considered As an International Dark Sky Landscape
    1 Executive Summary Bodmin Moor is a special place. Amongst the many environmental designations ranging from the international to the local, Bodmin Moor forms part of an Area of Outstanding Beauty. This means it benefits from the same planning status and protection as English National Parks. Visitors are already drawn to the dramatic panoramas, varied wildlife and intriguing history, with those already in the know also appreciating and learning about the stars in the exceptionally dark night sky. Caradon Observatory readings taken in and around Bodmin Moor quantify the remarkable quality of the sky’s darkness and correspond with the findings of the Campaign to Protect Rural England Night Blight study. The results show that even around the villages there are impressive views of the night sky. There is considerable support from the public and stakeholder organisations for the establishment of Bodmin Moor as an International Dark Sky Landscape with “Park” status. Feedback from residents, businesses, landowners, farmers, astronomers, educators, environmental bodies and other statutory and charitable organisations has helped shape the proposals. Enthusiasm is such that there have already been calls to widen the buffer zone if the designation is successful. The alternative title for the designation stems from local feedback and reflects the AONB status. Bodmin Moor comprises a varied moorland landscape with a few small villages and hamlets so there is very little artificial light. Nevertheless, steps have been taken and are continuing to be made to reduce light pollution, particularly from streets. This means that the vast majority of lighting is sensitive to the dark night sky and is becoming even more sympathetic.
    [Show full text]
  • Edited by IJ Bennallick & DA Pearman
    BOTANICAL CORNWALL 2010 No. 14 Edited by I.J. Bennallick & D.A. Pearman BOTANICAL CORNWALL No. 14 Edited by I.J.Bennallick & D.A.Pearman ISSN 1364 - 4335 © I.J. Bennallick & D.A. Pearman 2010 No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the copyright holder. Published by - the Environmental Records Centre for Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly (ERCCIS) based at the- Cornwall Wildlife Trust Five Acres, Allet, Truro, Cornwall, TR4 9DJ Tel: (01872) 273939 Fax: (01872) 225476 Website: www.erccis.co.uk and www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk Cover photo: Perennial Centaury Centaurium scilloides at Gwennap Head, 2010. © I J Bennallick 2 Contents Introduction - I. J. Bennallick & D. A. Pearman 4 A new dandelion - Taraxacum ronae - and its distribution in Cornwall - L. J. Margetts 5 Recording in Cornwall 2006 to 2009 – C. N. French 9 Fitch‟s Illustrations of the British Flora – C. N. French 15 Important Plant Areas – C. N. French 17 The decline of Illecebrum verticillatum – D. A. Pearman 22 Bryological Field Meetings 2006 – 2007 – N. de Sausmarez 29 Centaurium scilloides, Juncus subnodulosus and Phegopteris connectilis rediscovered in Cornwall after many years – I. J. Bennallick 36 Plant records for Cornwall up to September 2009 – I. J. Bennallick 43 Plant records and update from the Isles of Scilly 2006 – 2009 – R. E. Parslow 93 3 Introduction We can only apologise for the very long gestation of this number. There is so much going on in the Cornwall botanical world – a New Red Data Book, an imminent Fern Atlas, plans for a new Flora and a Rare Plant Register, plus masses of fieldwork, most notably for Natural England for rare plants on SSSIs, that somehow this publication has kept on being put back as other more urgent tasks vie for precedence.
    [Show full text]
  • Euphrasia Vigursii.Pub
    Watsonia 26: 347–358 (2007) ECOLOGY OF EUPHRASIA VIGURSII 347 A fine scale study of selected environmental and floristic parameters in three populations of Euphrasia vigursii (Davey), a rare annual endemic to Devon and Cornwall L. GRANADOS1 and S. D. LANE2 School of Biological Science, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA ABSTRACT surveys have revealed only 25 active sites. This represents approximately 50% loss of localities Euphrasia vigursii is an endangered hemiparasitic in Cornwall mainly due to habitat destruction annual, endemic in Devon and Cornwall. This (French et al. 1999). In Devon there are only 2 investigation has evaluated fine scale patterns of sites, rediscovered in 1995 and 1998 and floristic composition and nutrient distribution in situated on the north-west perimeter of selected populations of E. vigursii in Devon and Cornwall to increase understanding of their ecology Dartmoor National Park. Ecologists at the for use in future management strategies in Devon. National Park aim to conserve and increase the Two particular questions were formulated: population of E. vigursii as part of the 1. Is E. vigursii immediately surrounded by other Dartmoor Biodiversity Action Plan, as it has particular plant species? been categorised in the priority list of the UK 2. If the soil was analysed in the direct location of steering group report on biodiversity as being the site of E. vigursii would the pH, Nitrogen, of ‘global conservation concern’ (HMSO Phosphorus and Potassium content be different from 1995). In order to establish a management the areas where E. vigursii is not present? strategy that would address the objectives of Phytosociological analysis indicated that E.
    [Show full text]
  • The Early Neolithic Tor Enclosures of Southwest Britain
    The Early Neolithic Tor Enclosures of Southwest Britain By Simon R. Davies A thesis submitted to The University of Birmingham For the degree of Ph.D. Funded by the AHRC. i University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. Abstract Along with causewayed enclosures, the tor enclosures of Cornwall and Devon represent the earliest enclosure of large open spaces in Britain and are the earliest form of surviving non-funerary monument. Their importance is at least as great as that of causewayed enclosures, and it might be argued that their proposed associations with settlement, farming, industry, trade and warfare indicate that they could reveal more about the Early Neolithic than many causewayed enclosure sites. Yet, despite being recognised as Neolithic in date as early as the 1920s, they have been subject to a disproportionately small amount of work. Indeed, the southwest, Cornwall especially, is almost treated like another country by many of those studying the Early Neolithic of southern Britain. When mentioned, this region is more likely to be included in studies of Ireland and the Irish Sea zone than studies concerning England.
    [Show full text]
  • BSBI News Back Panel of Referees and Specialists Catalogue with Google
    CONTENTS Notes from the Receiving Editor............. 2 Vascular plant Red Data List: year 5 amendments Editorial..................................................... 3 ................ S.J. Leach & K.J. Walker 51 Marsh Botany Awards.............................. 4 New Flora of RHS Wisley and the Diary.......................................................... 4 host range of Lathraea clandestina Notes..................................................... 5-59 .........................................J. Armitage 57 Alopecurus aequalis at the Great Fen, Honorary membership..........T.G. Evans 59 Huntingdonshire. P. Stroh & M. Burton 5 Aliens.................................................. 60-78 Utricularia bremii in the New Forest Indian Balsam – triffid or treat? ...............................................M. Rand 8 .........................................J. Presland 60 Mire and wet heath restoration and Sedum kamtschaticum var. ellacombianum in management in Burnham Beeches. Johnston (v.c.45)..... S.D.S. Bosanquet 69 ....A.R. Westgarth-Smith, A. McVeigh Epilobium tournefortii...........M. Wilcox 70 .......................................& H.J. Read 10 Red Arum................................A. Galton 11 Focus on Apium leptophyllum Population structure and conservation of Genista .......................................E.J. Clement 76 anglica.....................................P.A. Vaughan 12 No future for Prunus mahaleb in Britain? Wild flower twitching.............C. Jacobs 17 .......................................E.J. Clement
    [Show full text]
  • English Nature Research Reports, No
    6. Cambridgeshire 6.1 Physical Geology The solid geology of Cambridgeshire is simple, with bard$ of progressively older socks from the Chalk in the southeast, to Oolitic limestones in the north west. In between Jurassic and Cretaceous clays are dominant. A narrow band of Lower Greensand crosses the county but this is mostly obscured by drift. Much of the county is in fact covered by thick drift including boulder clay, alluvium, peat and limited amounts of glacial sands and gravels. Soils Boulder clay, alluvial and chalk and limestone soils occupy most of thc county but soil associations dominated by brown sands do occur around Gamlingay on the Lower Greensand in the east, an extension of the Bedfordshire Greensand outcrop. The blown sands of Breckland also just penetrate the county in the eat around Kennet and Chippenham to Newmarket Heath, where therc are polygons and stripes (Map Id). 6.2 Landscape history 19th Century On the 1830’s 1 inch OS map, Gamlingay Heath is marked as still menclosed with the valley mires specifically shown. In the east, Kennet Heath still existed, although by then in a generally enclosed countryside. Current landscapes and Natural Areas The county is dominated by the West Angllan Plain (NA52) and the Fens (NA37) Natural Areas which are unlikely territory for acid grassland. To the south the East Angllan Chalk Natural Area (NA5 1) also has limited potential for acid grassland but small areas of Brmkland (NA46) and the Bedfordshire Greensand Ridge (NA53) Natural Areas just enter the county and both contain areas of soil associations dominated by brown sands.
    [Show full text]