In May 2017 Lewis Saunders Ecology carried out an National Vegetation Classification (NVC) survey of a County Wildlife Site designated lowland meadow in Northamptonshire, which was close to the boundary of a large new development.
The site was a meadow on a north facing slope above a river valley grading to wetland habitats below and including several wet springs and flushes above. The survey was planned according to methods consistent with the National Vegetation Classification Survey and involved the recording of the vegetation composition from 2x2m quadrats in the grassland and 4x4m quadrats in the marsh. The data was compared to published accounts in British Plant Communities and analysed using computer programme MAVIS.
The meadow contained grassland stands with affinities to MG5 and calcareous grassland communities. The wet flushes had significant similarities with the MG9 community. The wetland was dominated by a mosaic of S4, S5, and S7 communities. Notable species present on the site included bee orchid (Ophrys apifera), common spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii), dropwort (Filipendula ulmaria), and skullcap (Scutellaria galericulata).
A comprehensive report was prepared and delivered to the client. The most ecological valuable parts of the site were considered to be the wet flush, marsh, and an area of grassland central to the site resembling a calcareous variant of MG5, including hairy oat grass (Avenula pupescens) and upright brome (Bromopsis erecta). Any development affecting the site will now give consideration to protecting these areas.
Relevant services
National Vegetation Classification
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