Staff member responsible: |
Jo Dear |
Unit Id: |
1029289 |
Unit area (ha): |
207.2194 |
Unit Status: |
Live |
Gridref: |
TR 022 186 |
Main habitat: |
SUPRALITTORAL SEDIMENT |
Condition and Comments (click for history): |
Unfavourable - Recovering |
Assessed by: |
GREENSLADE, (PETER) |
Last assessed: |
19/08/2009 |
Last assessment field visit: |
19/08/2009 |
ISA Survey: |
View Surveys |
Date of last site check: |
|
Last CSM assessment: |
19/08/2009 |
Estimated year unit will go Favourable: |
|
Confidence in estimate: |
|
Comment: |
The unit includes one of the major shingle ridges in the area. It is in the centre of the training area and has been subject to gross disturbance in the past and there is on-going, localised damage associated with the training serials. However, large areas are now left undisturbed and there is evidence of some vegetation recolonisation. The vegetation reflects the disturbance in the past.
The fossil geomorphology has been significantly affected by the operation of the firing ranges and the movement of shingle associated with the construction of the narrow-gauge railway in the southern part of the unit. This has resulted in the irretrievable loss of topography over the vast majority of the unit although it is still possible to pick out patterns of sorted pebbles in places and the pattern of ridge crests can be seen along the margins, at least in the southern part. The pattern of ridge crests can also still be seen amongst the holly bushes in the northern part of the unit although this area has clearly suffered disturbance in the past.
Small areas of dry shingle ridge vegetation are present at the extreme northern end of the area where there is short, rabbit-grazed turf with a characteristic composition. Plants present include bent grass, sheep?s sorrel, English stonecrop, and bryophyte/lichen mats with occasional thrift |
Number of adverse condition reasons: |
1 |