The Woodland Education Centre
Heathland Project Report

Report Introduction  Contents Summary

Blueblls.jpg (44256 bytes)The Effects of Management - Brush cutting

left: Bluebells on the Heathland Restoration site.

b) Timing

Bluebells were initially found over all of sections 1 - 4 (Figure below). However, from 1997 - 1998, the bluebells have declined in abundance except in section 3 ( Figure below). They have been almost eliminated from sections 2 and 4 (Figure). They still occur in these two sections, but their abundance is greatly reduced and they did not occur in any of the samples taken in 1997 and 1998 (Figure)

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The distribution of Bluebells on the project site.
(belt transect data only)

The gradual elimination of bluebells from sections 2 and 4 must be a result of the management regime in these two sections. Sections 2 and 4 are duplicates of the same management regime which is a spring brushcut (Table). In the spring, the bluebells are just regenerating after the winter. They use up storage reserves in the underground bulbs to produce foliage and then the characteristic flowers. Cutting the bluebells before they have had time to replenish the reserves in the bulbs must be leading to their gradual elimination in these areas.

 

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For an
Ecological Sampling Exercise
Processing & Interpreting Raw Data
based on Bluebell distribution in strips 1 - 4 in 2002
click here

 

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Heathland Restoration Project Report

Contents

Summary 

Description

Management

Methods

Conclusions

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Other Lowland Heaths in East Devon