Biodiversity Action Plan 2017 Prepared by Joshua Styles, BSc Ecology – Ecologist Document Review Date: 01 July 2018 Table of Contents 1. Objectives 2. Site Context 3. Designated Sites and Habitat Connectivity 4. Phase 1 Habitat Survey 5. UK and Local Biodiversity Action Plans (BAP) 6. Site Related Specially Protected Species 7. Invasive Botanical Species 8. Proposed Management Strategies for: 8.1 University Meadows 8.2 Dune Helleborine (Epipactis dunensis) 8.3 Lakes 1 & 2 8.4 Ponds 1 & 2 9. Biodiversity Improvement Measures: 9.1 Landscaping using Native Species 9.2 Provisions for Bats and Birds 9.3 Green Hay 9.4 Pond Creation 9.5 Plant Translocations 10. Acknowledgements 11. References Appendix 1 – Biological Records Data Set for Edge Hill University Meadows (excel spreadsheet) Appendix 2 –Site Photographs Appendix 3 –Dune Helleborine (Epipactis dunensis) survey (2016) Appendix 4 – Dune Helleborine survey (May 2017) 1. Objectives 1.1 The objectives of this Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) are to identify key habitats and species on Edge Hill University campus and within the immediate vicinity. This can provide a framework for managing these habitats and species and to improve biodiversity on campus. 1.2 Information on habitats and species was obtained from a desk study using resources such as Magic Mapping and LERN to obtain information on designated sites and species within the area. This was accompanied by three years of field surveys on campus. Most of the field work was completed in the summer of 2016. 2. Site Context 2.1 Edge Hill University is a large site (approximately 52.5 ha) situated close to the centre of Ormskirk, Lancashire. It is bisected by roads and residential development and is attended by approximately 16,000 students annually. The University backs onto farmland and is situated close to agricultural arable and pasture fields with relatively good connectivity between sites via hedgerows and lines of trees. A central grid reference is SD 42213 07362 (see Figure 1 & 2) 2.2 Several green spaces on campus support a variety of species. The main areas of value to wildlife being shown in Figure 3. Figure 1 – Existing campus site plan Figure 2 – Approximate site location and continuous habitat (Bing Maps, 2017) Lake 1 Lake 2 Pond 1 Pond 2 Figure 3 – Edge Hill University campus with meadow area boundary (red) and freshwater bodies on campus marked in blue 3. Designated Sites and Habitat Connectivity 3.1 Nearby is a series of farmland arable and pasture fields with moderate connectivity between sites via lines of trees, hedgerow and scattered areas of woodland listed within the National Forestry Inventory (Magic, 2017). These features are used by various bird and bat species for nesting/commuting/foraging purposes. 3.2 Within 1 km of the site there are five ponds, four of which are on campus. Connectivity between ponds is poor between the single pond located approximately 950 metres away and those on campus, providing little opportunity for commuting for Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus) and Water Vole (Arvicola amphibious). 3.3 No statutorily designated wildlife sites are within a 5 kilometre radius of Edge Hill University. There are however, five non-statutorily designated sites within a 2 kilometre radius (see Figure 4). These include two biological heritage sites (Ruff Wood and New Park Wood) and three district wildlife sites (Greetby Hill Railway Cutting, Ormskirk Sidings and Prescot Road Quarry). Additionally, farmland to the south of Edge Hill University is noted to be used by migratory Pink- Footed Geese (Anser brachyrhynchus). 3.4 A data search obtained from Lancashire Environmental Record Network (LERN) revealed several species and habitats of conservation importance within two kilometres of the site including Eurasian Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), Barn Owl (Tyto alba), Whiskered Bat (Myotis mystancinus) and Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). Figure 4 – Area of data search with Lancashire Key Species locations and Wildlife Sites marked Figure 5 – Location of EHU and surrounding landscape (Bing Maps, 2017) 4. Phase 1 Habitat Survey 4.1 Phase 1 habitat survey involves the identification of habitats and key species in a specified area, with an emphasis on plants. 4.2 Information on the habitats and species on the campus of Edge Hill University was collected over a three year period by the author, most recording being during the summer of 2016. 4.3 Habitat Types: All habitat descriptions below follow designations provided in the Handbook for Phase 1 habitat survey (JNCC, 2011). Broad habitat hypes on campus include: A3.2 Mixed Woodland (Planted) A2.1 Continuous Scrub A2.2 Scattered Scrub A3.3 Scattered Trees (Broadleaved & Coniferous) B2.2 Neutral Semi-Improved Grassland G1 Standing Water J1.2 Amenity Grassland J1.4 Introduced Shrub J2.1 Intact Hedgerow J3.6 Buildings/Hardstanding J4 Bare Ground Most biodiversity on Edge Hill campus is associated with the meadows (see figure 1). Appendix 1 lists all biological records within this area. Mixed Woodland (Planted) Mixed woodland occurs throughout the university campus but is largely restricted to the planted meadow areas to the north-east of campus. Here, a series of native trees including Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur), Silver Birch (Betula pendula), Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), Alder (Alnus glutinosa) and Grey Willow (Salix cinerea) have been planted in keeping with local native Oak-Birch woodland assemblages (National Vegetation Classifications W10 and W16) (1. Rodwell 1991). Scrub (Continuous and Scattered) Scrub is present throughout the site in the form of stands of Grey Willow (Salix cinerea), Goat Willow (Salix capraea), European Gorse (Ulex europaeus), Broom (Cytisus scoparius), Bramble (Rubus sp.) and other species. The largest portion of native scrub lies within the planted meadows and could be used by a variety of organisms. This habitat has value for commuting/foraging bats, nesting birds, as a refuge for Hedgehog, other terrestrial mammals and amphibian species. Scattered Trees Scattered trees are distributed across campus. Most are native species as described above, while those within areas of hardstanding on campus are generally non-native species and varieties such as Common Lime (Tilia x vulgaris), Corsican Pine (Pinus nigra), Cypress sp. (Cupressus sp.) and non-native species of Cherry (Prunus sp.). Generally, non-native species of tree have less value to wildlife than native taxa, such as Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) which can have hundreds of invertebrate species dependant on a single tree. Under planted trees within the Back Halls car park (OS: SD 42319 07537) is a large population of the nationally scarce and endemic Dune Helleborine (Epipactis dunensis). There is also a single plant near the Durning Centre (OS: SD 42432 07442). See appendix 3 for a 2016 survey of this species. The Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland maps this plant in only 38 hectads (10 km grid squares). Neutral Semi-improved Grassland Within the meadow compartment on campus is a large area cut on rotation with scrub. This semi-improved grassland supports 154 vascular plant species including a single plant of the nationally scarce Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bermudiana) and a few plants of Ragged Robin (Silene flos- cuculi). The latter is red-listed in England as ‘Near Threatened’ due to its large-scale decline throughout the country. Additionally, two regionally notable species in the form of Slender Trefoil (Trifolium micranthum) and Water Avens (Geum rivale) are present, both of which are rare and declining in Lancashire. On the 28th May 2017, Skylark was found nesting within the meadows area. The composition of species throughout the meadow varies, however often has local dominants including Black Knapweed (Centaurea nigra), Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), Creeping Bent (Agrostis stolonifera) and Tall Fescue (Schedonorus arundinacea). Standing Water At Edge Hill University there are four freshwater bodies in the form of two lakes and two ponds as identified in Figure 2. Pond 1: Located to the south of campus, Pond 1 is largely isolated from the surrounding landscape by hardstanding in the form of a large car park to the north and St. Helens Road to the south. This is the most floristically diverse freshwater body with locally dense marginal vegetation including Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus) Lesser Pond Sedge (Carex acutiformis) and one notable species: Ragged Robin (see Appendix two). No invasive species were identified in this pond. Pond 2: Is located within the meadows area (Figure 2) and has a greater degree of connectivity with the surrounding landscape. Marginal vegetation is relatively sparse and dominated by non-native Equisetum species, Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) and Bulrush (Typha latifolia). There was evidence of wildfowl in the form of Mallard, Moorhen and Canada Goose throughout the study period. There are two invasive species within the pond in the form of New Zealand Pygmyweed (Crassula helmsii) and Curly Waterweed (Lagarosiphon major). Lake 1: Lake 1 is a large water body with one notable marginal species, Northern Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella) which is largely coastal and regionally scarce. This is accompanied by the less notable Southern Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa) and the hybrid between Southern Marsh Orchid and Common Spotted Orchid (D. x grandis). The lake is largely isolated by hardstanding and has dense marginal vegetation including Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus), Bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) and Common Reed (Phragmites australis). No invasive species were recorded in or around Lake 1. Lake 2: Lake 2 beside the Creative Edge building is a linear freshwater body with little marginal vegetation. It has mostly steep concrete sides with little to no connectivity into the surrounding landscape due to its isolation in the middle of hardstanding. There is one invasive species present throughout, namely Curly Waterweed (Lagarosiphon major). Amenity Grassland Throughout the university campus are areas of amenity grassland dominated by Festuca hybrids, Creeping Bent (Agrostis stolonifera), Yorkshire Fog (Holcus lanatus) and the mosses Brachythecium rutabulum and Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus.