Key elements Shelter Bare ground and early-succession habitats Flower-rich habitats Scrub and scattered trees Sward structure Ecotones Large-scale mosaic BROWNFIELD SITES 108 priority species are associated with brownfield sites. The previous land use plays an important role in determining the species composition of these sites. Some brownfield habitats will qualify as the priority habitat Open mosaic habitats on previously developed land. This is characterised by a mosaic of early- succession communities, friable bare ground and scattered scrub. Click on image to view landscape, and then select some species or key elements Management guides for this habitat

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Shelter Photograph: Tony Robinson GO TO LANDSCAPERETURN TO START Shelter can be a difficult element to assess. However, sheltered areas are generally those that are open to direct sunlight but protected from excess wind by the topography, vegetation, or buildings Shelter provided by vegetation tends to occur in bays of scrub and along site boundaries on ‘better’ soils, or as areas of ruderal vegetation and scattered scrub. South-facing slopes, and semi-circular bays of vegetation open to the south, can be especially important. Waste products and rubble can also provide important shelter for heat-loving species. Key determining factors: Topography Succession - scrub development Disturbance – scrub and tree management. Go to example species

Shelter – associated priority species RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Bare ground and early-succession habitats These are important components of brownfield sites of high ecological value, and are key features for a site to meet priority habitat status. Disturbance that removes vegetation creates areas of bare and sparsely-vegetated ground. Bare ground includes industrial substrates, sand, exposed rock, and even small carpets of lichen and moss. It invariably includes a scatter of early colonisers, many of which are food plants or provide other critical resources such as nectar and pollen. Soil that is over-compacted or churned is not as good as well-drained loosely friable soil. Bare or sparsely-vegetated ground adjoining taller vegetation is often important. Key determining factors: Disturbance – rabbits; erosion on tracks and paths; operational disturbance. Substrate – hostile conditions may slow plant succession. Go to example species Photograph: Samantha Davenport RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Bare ground and early-succession habitats – associated priority species RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Flower-rich habitats Patches of tall flower-rich grasslands that are able to flower throughout the growing season can provide a source of nectar and seeds. They are often best represented by sheets of common flowering-plants, such as yellow composites and umbellifers. In brownfield sites there can also be large areas of ruderal habitat dominated by herbs associated with disturbance. Photograph: Dave Mitchell RETURN TO START The diversity of species and the nature of management can also result in a complex structure that includes tussocks and sheltered bays within a matrix of other vegetation. Key determining factors: Disturbance - often found in areas such as disused excavation or industrial sites. Best managed by infrequent cutting that retains some flower heads. Water/soil/air quality - substrate Go to example species GO TO LANDSCAPE

Herb-rich habitats – associated priority species RETURN TO START Around a half of all priority species on brownfield sites are associated with grassland. Of these about a quarter require herb-rich foraging areas. Examples, with their requirements, are: Shrill carder bee - scrub edge and tussocks (nesting); tall-sward grassland; large-scale flower-rich areas present spring-late summer. Large garden bumblebee – tall-sward grassland; large flower-rich areas in spring-late summer; flowers with long corolla. Chalk carpet moth - calcareous soils; sparse thinly-vegetated ground or short turf; flower-rich areas; disturbance. Return to Herb-rich habitats GO TO LANDSCAPE

Scrub and scattered trees Scrub is vegetation dominated by low, woody plants that typically forms an intermediate community between open ground and woodland. Scrub that contains gaps and shrubs of different sizes is of much greater value than scrub in large, homogenous blocks. RETURN TO START Occasional trees are beneficial as they provide further structural diversity and food sources. Species can use scrub and scattered trees for shelter, feeding, roosting and nesting. In some brownfield sites scrub can be plentiful, and it will be more important to control it than to encourage it. Levels of around 10% cover are appropriate for priority habitat sites. Key determining factors: Succession Disturbance - tree and scrub management. Go to example species Photograph: Tony Robinson GO TO LANDSCAPE

Scrub and scattered trees – associated priority species RETURN TO START 40% of priority species on brownfield sites are associated with scrub and scattered trees. Examples, with their requirements, are: House sparrow - scattered scrub and grassland; garden/arable and hedgerow; colonial hole-nesting species; close association with human settlements/farms; invertebrate food (for young in first week of life). Dingy skipper - sparse sward and bare ground in a mosaic; bird's-foot-trefoil (foodplant); nectar; sheltered locations (uneven topography or within scrub). Shrill carder bee - scrub edge, leaf litter and tussocks (nesting); tall-sward grassland; large-scale flower-rich resource present throughout the year. Return to Scrub and scattered trees GO TO LANDSCAPE

Sward structure Grassland swards on brownfield sites have a range of structures, each of which is important for different species. Many species require more than one structure within a mosaic. Short swards Tall swards and tussocks Open swards Key determining factors: Soil/Air/Water Quality Disturbance Succession Photograph: Tony Robinson RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Short swards Short swards are those that are only a few centimetres high. On brownfield land they are often found in a mosaic with bare ground. Extensive short swards are particularly favoured by vascular plants, some invertebrates and by birds. In contrast, many invertebrates often require smaller areas of short sward set within a mosaic of taller vegetation. Photograph: Tony Robinson RETURN TO START Key determining factors: Soil/Air/Water Quality - low soil nutrient and/or extreme pH can restrict plant diversity and growth. Disturbance – rabbits; erosion on tracks and paths. Go to example species Go to Sward structure GO TO LANDSCAPE

Short swards – associated priority species Over 55% of priority species in brownfield grassland are associated with short swards. Examples, with their requirements, are: RETURN TO START Lapwing - spring tilled arable land; extensive open short grassland; invertebrate abundance; wet areas, pools with surface water and winter flooding. Wall butterfly - short grassland; bare ground; nectar; sheltered locations (uneven topography or within scrub). Deptford pink - short grassland; herb-rich; unimproved; bare ground; well-drained. Return to Short swards Return to Sward structure GO TO LANDSCAPE

Tall swards and tussocks These swards are particularly favoured by invertebrates and certain bird species. Tall swards are often required all year round to provide a plentiful supply of nectar, pollen, food-plants, seeds, dead seed heads and prey items. Photograph: Samantha Davenport RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE Swards of common species in herb-rich habitats can also provide a very useful for resource for many species. herb-rich habitats Tussocks provide further structural diversity and a microclimate very different from their surroundings. These, and tussocky areas within a wider mosaic, should be considered as very beneficial. Go to example species Go to Sward structure

Tall swards and tussocks – associated priority species Over 10% of priority species in brownfield grassland are associated with tall swards or tussocks. Examples, with their requirements, are: Harvest mouse - tall grass throughout the year; bramble; rank swards. Large garden bumblebee – tall-sward grassland; large flower-rich areas in spring-late summer; flowers with long corolla. Rampion bellflower – tall sward; rough grassland; waste ground. Retun to Tall swards and tussocks Return to Sward structure RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Open swards Open swards can be short or tall, but are characterised by open spaces between plants (as opposed to a thick carpet of grass and other vegetation). These conditions are necessary for invertebrates and some shorter-growing plant species. Go to example speciesGo to example species Go to Sward structureGo to Sward structure Photograph: Samantha Davenport RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE Photograph: Mike Lush

Open swards – associated priority species Over 55% of priority species on brownfield grassland are associated with open swards. Examples, with their requirements, are: RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Ecotones These are the gradation between two adjoining habitats, for example grassland and woodland. Ecotones should not be severe; there should be a gradual change from one habitat to the other. Key determining factors: Succession Disturbance - various types of management that encourage a transition from one habitat to another. Go to example species Photograph: Samantha Davenport RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Ecotones – associated priority species Many priority species on brownfield sites are associated with ecotones. Examples, with their requirements, are: Song thrush - gardens; field boundaries; woodland edge; scrub and adjacent open grassland; invertebrate-rich damp areas (feeding). Red-shanked carder bee - scrub edge and tussocks to nest in; tall-sward grassland; large flower-rich areas present from spring to late summer. Man orchid - herb-rich calcareous grassland; abandoned quarries; unimproved; scrub edge; well drained. Return to Ecotones RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Large-scale mosaic This refers to the juxtaposition of different habitats within a landscape. For example, wetland and parkland or other green space adjacent to brownfield sites. Such mosaics are largely required by highly-mobile terrestrial species, and can include both priority and non-priority habitats. Key determining factors: Scale Go to example species RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE Photograph: Tony Robinson

Large-scale mosaic – associated priority species RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Habitat creation handbook for the minerals industry Managing brownfield and industrial land for bumblebees Brownfields for butterflies Buglife guides Planning for brownfield biodiversity – a best practice guide Managing aggregates sites for invertebrates – a best practice guide Note: after opening some documents you may need to exit the slideshow in order to view them. RETURN TO START Management guides GO TO LANDSCAPE