Elvetham Heath Local Nature Reserve

A Botanical Survey Summery 2006

The Botanist Mr Chris Hall carried out a full botanical survey during the summer of 2006.  The following is a summery of his detailed report for the release to and general use of the Friends of Elvetham Heath.  

Overview

A total of 243 species were recorded in the Nature Reserve during the summer visit.  These include plants of heathland, mire, grassland, wetland and woodland.

Just over one tenth qualify in one or more categories of species of conservation interest or concern.

Three species are assigned a threat category in the new Red Data List for Great Britain.  

Some uncommon species have been lost to the area since the housing development.  

Many non-native species have been introduced to the Reserve, deliberately in seed mixes or via imported soil.

Species of conservation interest

Red Data Species

• Heath cudweed is endangered.

Formally found on the forest tracks which are all now part of the housing parcels.  Over 200 plants found in the dry heat of the north compartment and a few beside the track in the south.  Populations require open conditions with short turf, with light disturbances.

• Dodder is vulnerable.

Is a parasitic plant of the bindweed family found on the short heather in the dry heath.   Requires young heather to survive.

• Cudweed is near threatened.

Also known as common cudweed, this plant is found in well-drained places and does best where the sward is short or is open with patches of bare ground.  

Nationally uncommon species

Dwarf gorse: Two shrubs have appeared in the dry heath of the north compartment and by the road verge of Morrisons.

Regionally scarce species

Bog Myrtle, Hop sedge, Bottle Sedge, Heath spikerush, Floating club-rush, Long-leaved sundew, Creeping forget-me-not, Hairy buttercup (imported in soil),

Regionally uncommon

Moor sedge, Star sedge, Cotton grass, Bristle clubrush, Heath rush, Bog pimpernel, round-leaved sundew, Heath milkwort, Bog pondweed, Lesser skullcap, Haresfoot clover, Marsh speedwell,

Bog Pimpernel

Lost Species

16 species of conservation interest have lost to the area.  Of these species 5 are from the dryer heathlands and 9 from the wetter heaths.  Most of this is due to the housing development and cycle track.  Forestry and dense vegetation have overcome the remainder.  

Comments

The survey has shown good regeneration of typical species considering the short time that the Nature Reserve has had to recover.  Many species of conservation interest are beginning to emerge and this perhaps shows the potential that the site has of being and important heathland community along with Fleet Pond and Ansells Farm.  

The majority of the important species (along with the lost species) are associated with disturbed open ground created by the forestry works on site, which the grazing is likely to encourage and develop over the years.  Scraping in selected areas will also help this along and may restore some of the species that have been lost.

Alien species are of quite a concern.  The plantation and associated rhododendrons has smothered the heathland and increased the litter layer.  Imported herbaceous plants and escapees from the surrounding houses must be identified and controlled if this heathland is to reach its