The Woodlands of Sidmouth

How were sites designated as 'woodland' within the Sidmouth Nature Project?


 Sites were designated as 'woodland' based on general observation, not strict scientific methodology. This was a pragmatic approach, using the principles of the Phase 1 analysis system but in a less formal way. The classification was acknowledged to be arbitrary and based on visual dominance of trees rather than a rigorous definition.

How was the initial observed habitat verified through vegetative analysis?


Following the initial observational attribution, a vegetative analysis was conducted to examine the nature of the sites designated as woodland. This involved analysing the recorded plant species on each site and focusing on the number of species specifically associated with woodland habitats. This analysis provided a subsequent verification of the initial observation-based classification.

Does the vegetative analysis indicate the specific type of woodland for each site?

Yes, the vegetative analysis, particularly by examining the dominance of woodland plant species and the presence of key indicator native tree species, provides an indication of the potential type or classification of woodland. The analysis also considered the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) system to understand ecological similarities and common factors among the sites.

What proportion of plants on the designated woodland sites are associated with woodland habitats?

All the sites designated as woodland in the Sidmouth Nature Project have in excess of 60% of the plants present that are associated with woodland habitats. This high proportion was used to justify their inclusion in the list of woodland sites.

Which woodland sites showed the highest dominance of woodland plant species?
Core Hill Wood, Riverside Wood, and Combe Head Wood exceeded 70% dominance of woodland plant species. This higher percentage suggests these sites may have been established as woodland for a longer period compared to others.

Are Harcombe Lane and Milltown Lane considered true woodland sites?
According to the strict sense of the Phase 1 analysis system, Harcombe Lane and Milltown Lane are not considered true woodland. They are described as 'lanes' lined with trees. The presence of woodland flora along the verges suggests they may have historically been footpaths through woodland that has since been cleared.

Which native tree species are frequently found across the woodland sites in the Sidmouth area?
Of the thirteen 'indicator' native tree species, only two – beech and ash – occur frequently across the designated woodland sites. Other native species may occur on woodland sites but are generally found more as 'casual' species in other habitat types.

What are the most likely natural woodland classifications in the Sidmouth area based on the analysis?

Based on the dominance of native tree species, particularly beech and ash, the most likely natural woodland classifications in the Sidmouth area appear to be those with a high density of these species. Considering the National Vegetation Classification (NVC), the analysis suggests the bulk of the remaining woodland sites are either ‘W14 Fagus sylvatica - Rubus fruticosus’ (Beech - Bramble) or have been artificially created as plantations. While other potential classifications were considered, the limited presence or specific locations of indicator species like yellow pimpernel and dog’s mercury made widespread classification under other NVC types unlikely.

 

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