Lewis Saunders Ecology undertook Botanical and National Vegetation Classification (NVC) surveys of a large complex of woodland and grassland on the chalk of Eastern England.
Many of the woodlands were mature but of relatively recent origin and consisted mostly of beech and sycamore with little ground flora of interest. Areas of grasslands between woodland blocks were much more interesting and contained areas of calcareous, neutral, and slightly acid flora. Important calcareous indicators included; spring sedge (Carex caryophylleae) and dropwort (Filipendula vulgaris).
The work was intended to inform and benefit the conservation management of the sites. This will be particularly important from the perspective of the grasslands, because the extent and quality of these areas was not fully captured by previous surveys.