district wildlife site biodiversity guidelines … local plan 2/5.27a bwd...district wildlife site...

District Wildlife Site Biodiversity Guidelines for Blackburn with Darwen, The Wildlife Trust Final, June 2011

District Wildlife Site Biodiversity Guidelines Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Prepared by Lancashire Wildlife Trust for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council May 2011

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CONTENTS Local Wildlife Sites in Blackburn with Darwen ................................................................................... 3 Guidelines for the selection of Local Wildlife Sites in Blackburn with Darwen ............................... 7

1. Habitats ............................................................................................................................... 8 1.1 Woodland ............................................................................................................................ 8 1.2 Parkland and scattered trees .......................................................................................... 10 1.3 Grassland .......................................................................................................................... 11 1.4 Swamp, fen and reedbed ................................................................................................. 12 1.5 Bog ..................................................................................................................................... 13 1.6 Heathland .......................................................................................................................... 15 1.7 Freshwater habitats ......................................................................................................... 16 1.8 Rock habitats .................................................................................................................... 17 1.9 Coastal habitats ................................................................................................................ 18 1.10 Artificial habitats ............................................................................................................. 19 1.11 Other areas of semi-natural habitat and habitat mosaics ............................................ 20

2. Species ............................................................................................................................... 21 2.1 Flowering plants and ferns .............................................................................................. 23 2.2 Non-vascular plants i.e. Lichens, Mosses and Liverworts (Bryophytes), Stoneworts

and other algae. ................................................................................................................ 24 2.3 Fungi .................................................................................................................................. 25 2.4 Mammals........................................................................................................................... 26 2.5 Birds (avifauna) ................................................................................................................ 27 2.6 Reptiles and Amphibians ................................................................................................ 29 2.7 Fish .................................................................................................................................... 30 2.8 Invertebrates..................................................................................................................... 31

3. Implementation ................................................................................................................ 32 References .............................................................................................................................................. 34 Appendices ............................................................................................................................................. 35

Table 1 Woodland species .......................................................................................................... 35 Table 2. Features of ‘old’ trees ................................................................................................... 37 Table 3 Plant species of semi-natural grasslands ..................................................................... 38 Table 4a. Plant species of acidic (base-poor) fen......................................................................... 41 Table 4b. Plant species of neutral and alkaline (moderate to base-rich) fen ............................ 41 Table 5a. Features of small rivers and streams ........................................................................... 43 Table 5b. Features of large rivers and streams ........................................................................... 43 Table 5c Associated aquatic plants ............................................................................................. 43 Table 6. A scoring system for the selection of sites with assemblages of amphibians ........... 45


Local Wildlife Sites in Blackburn with Darwen Introduction The Lancashire Wildlife Trust first started compiling lists of non-statutory wildlife sites (Sites of Biological Importance) in the 1970s. Up until 1992, however, there had been no systematic survey or evaluation of these sites. In 1992 Lancashire County Council, Lancashire Wildlife Trust and English Nature formed a partnership, known as the Biological Heritage Site Partnership, to define the most important non-statutory wildlife sites in Lancashire. Guidelines for the selection of Biological Heritage Site were published by Lancashire County Council in 1998 (available online at www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/ecology/bhs.asp ). Together with Regionally Important Geological Sites, Biological Heritage Sites form part of the Lancashire County Heritage Sites Scheme. The Blackburn with Darwen Borough Local Plan was formally adopted by the council in April 2002 and Policies LNC4 - 10 relate to a variety of sites and species. Defra (2006) recognises that in most areas local authorities, working with other local partners, have set up systems of locally valued non-statutory sites. Supporting in the region of 35,000 Local Sites, these systems contribute significantly to delivering both UK and Local Biodiversity and Geodiversity Action Plan targets. The Defra guidance promotes a more transparent and consistent approach in the operation of Local Sites systems across the country, embracing regional and local diversity and variation within the natural environment. It outlines the purposes of Local Sites systems and proposes frameworks, standards and roles for their operation as well as for the selection, protection and management of the sites themselves (see www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/ewd/local-sites/localsites.pdf). Defra recommends that the term Local Site, which may be sub-divided to Local Wildlife, Local Geological or “Local Wildlife/Geological Site” if the interests coincide, should be used as a standard generic term to promote common understanding. Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation provides a statement of national planning policy for biodiversity and geological conservation in England. It recognises that Local Sites have a fundamental role to play in helping to meet overall national biodiversity targets, contributing to the quality of life and the well-being of the community and in supporting research and education. Planning Policy Statement 12: Local Development Frameworks states that Local Development Frameworks should identify all local nature conservation areas on the proposals map. Defra recognises that Local Sites may be best derived with reference to the Natural Areas covering the administrative areas in question. However, in producing these guidelines Lancashire County Council and the Wildlife Trust decided to use a simplified system by taking Lancashire as three geographical Zones as follows: A Assemblage of parts of Pendle Hill, the South Pennine Moors and the West Pennine Moors B Bowland Fells, Lancaster and Arnside/Silverdale C Coastal Plain

http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/ecology/bhs.asp


LCC to produce a map of zone boundaries. The Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 and the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006 place a legal responsibility upon local authorities and public bodies to have regard for the conservation of biodiversity in all of their activities, inside and outside of sites of nature conservation value. Designations in Blackburn with Darwen There are no sites of international or European importance in the Blackburn with Darwen, i.e. designated under the Ramsar Convention, the ‘Birds’ or ‘Habitat’ Directives respectively. There are three Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), designated on biological not geological grounds, in the Borough, i.e. Gale Clough & Shooterslee Wood, Longworth Clough and Oak Field, which amount to a total of 53.7 hectares. These are sites of national importance. The number of Biological Heritage Sites in Blackburn with Darwen currently stands at 107 and covers an area of 3,697 ha (LCC 2010) or approx. 27% of the Borough. Not, there are 1,300 BHS in Lancashire amounting to 33,644ha. Blackburn with Darwen has approx. 8% of the BHS in Lancashire by number and 11% by area, as compared to the Borough comprising 4.5% of Lancashire (13,704.6 out of 306,456ha). These are sites of County or regional importance. Four biological heritage sites, River Darwen Parkway, Pleasington Old Hall, Sunnyhurst Woods and The Arran Trail were designated by the Council between 2004 and 2007 as Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) and all are managed by the Wildlife Trust under a service level agreement with the Council. Local Authorities can designate LNRs under the National Parks & Access to the Countryside Act 1949. Government guidelines recommend 1 hectare (ha) of LNR per 1,000 of population, hence with a population of 137,000 (2001 census data) Blackburn with Darwen should work towards designating at least 137 ha of LNR. The four LNRs designated in the Borough to date amount to 81 ha. The Wildlife Trust initiated Phase 1 of the East Lancashire Local Nature Reserve Project in January 2003 with the intention of identifying the most suitable candidate LNR sites. As a result of a community consultation exercise 13 sites, including Darwen Parkway, amounting to 374 ha were nominated as potential Local Nature Reserves in Blackburn with Darwen. The sites were then assessed by scoring them against selection criteria specially prepared by the Wildlife Trust and tailored to fit East Lancashire (LWT 2005). The criteria include ownership, geological and ecological values, education and community values, other considerations (including derelict land, ward deprivation, government and local initiatives, arts and cultural values). In 1991 Blackburn with Darwen Local Plan commissioned Lancashire Wildlife Trust to survey sites of wildlife value and potential in the borough and a report was produced (LWT 1992). In 2005 the Council commissioned the Wildlife Trust to re-survey the sites and the results were presented on an Access database. This survey recorded habitats and species but was not intended to designate local wildlife sites. Identification of Local Wildlife Sites As part of the preparatory work leading up to the production of its Local Development Framework (LDF) Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council commissioned the Wildlife Trust, in February 2011, to test the results of the 2005 wildlife survey of the Borough against District Wildlife Site guidelines.

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These were to be written as part of the commission, but based upon guidelines already drafted by the Wildlife Trust in 2007 for the neighbouring authority of Hyndburn. In 2007 the Trust produced a set of guidelines for Local Wildlife Sites in Lancashire, based on the three geographical zones outlined above, that can be applied to any individual Borough in the County. Any site in any Borough can then be compared to the relevant selection guideline(s) according to the site’s location and composition of habitat types and recorded species. Defra recommends that criteria based policies should be established in Development Plan Documents within the LDF against which proposals for any development on or affecting such sites will be judged. Clear distinctions should be made between the hierarchy of international, national, regional, and locally designated sites. Application of the criteria should result in the selection of a series of sites that together with other site networks provide the full range of the important species, habitats features at a level necessary to maintain the nature conservation interest of the area. The most comprehensive assessment of the natural and artificial habitat types present in the area was the Phase 1 habitat survey of Lancashire 1988-1992 (Kelly & Harwood 1993). According to Defra (2006):

• Local Sites networks provide a comprehensive rather than representative suite of sites.

• Local Sites provide wildlife refuges for most of the UK’s fauna and flora and through their connecting and buffering qualities, they complement other site networks.

• Local Sites have a significant role to play in meeting overall national biodiversity targets.

• Local Sites represent local character and distinctiveness.

• Local Sites contribute to the quality of life and the well-being of the community, with many sites providing opportunities for research and education.

Implementation of planning policy, Defra guidance and biodiversity targets at the Borough level will require non-statutory sites to be identified, managed and linked, where relevant, into wildlife corridors and areas selected for habitat re-creation in order to establish a functional ecological framework that extends throughout and beyond the Borough boundary. To summarise Local Wildlife Sites at the Borough or District level (i.e. DWS) have a valuable role to play in:

1 Connectivity Helping to maintain connectivity of habitats and limit fragmentation,

2 Quality of Life Providing opportunities for recreation and education that can be seen as social factors or enhancing people’s quality of life,

3 Biodiversity Conserving biodiversity and consequently the characteristic landscape of the Borough.

Note that an area of land could qualify for one or both of the Connectivity and Quality of Life guidelines as well as one or more of the Biodiversity guidelines.

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However, for the purposes of the local sites assessment 2011 for Blackburn with Darwen, sites have been tested only against the biodiversity guidelines to confirm whether or not they qualify as a District Wildlife Site on the understanding that sites that provide connectivity and con tribute to people’s quality of life will be identified separately. The guidelines below have been developed by officers from Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Lancashire County Council and Natural England based on the following:

Guidelines for the selection of Important Wildlife Sites in Rossendale produced by the Wildlife Trust for the Borough of Rossendale in 2003, Guidelines for the selection of Important Wildlife Sites in Hyndburn produced by the Wildlife Trust for the Borough of Hyndburn in 2007,

Guidelines for the Selection of Local Nature Conservation Sites (LNCS) in West Lancashire produced by Bowland Ecology for West Lancashire District Council in October 2006, and

Local Sites, Guidance on their identification, Selection and Management produced by Defra in 2006

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Guidelines for the selection of Local Wildlife Sites in Blackburn with Darwen Introduction

These guidelines, forming the basis for the selection of District Wildlife Sites (DWS), are based on the BHS Guidelines for Site Selection (LCC 1998). This ensures consistency of approach. However, the BHS guidelines apply to the entire county and, rather than develop DWS systems for one or more boroughs in Lancashire, these guidelines have been written for three geographical zones that cover the entire County.

Blackburn with Darwen lies within geographical Zone A in Lancashire: Assemblage of parts of Pendle Hill, the South Pennine Moors and the West Pennine Moors, hence sites should be tested against the relevant guidelines for Zone A.

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1. Habitats 1.1 Woodland

Justification:

Old oak woods with Holly and Hard Fern, bog woodland and residual alluvial forests (with Alder) are habitats listed in European Directives.

Upland oakwood, Lowland beech and yew woodland, Upland mixed ashwoods, Wet woodland, Lowland mixed deciduous woodland, Upland birchwoods and Native pine woodlands are on the Revised UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitats List 2007.

Upland oakwood, Lowland beech and yew woodland, Upland mixed ashwoods, Wet woodland and Lowland mixed deciduous woodland are Headline Indicators (H3).

Situation in Blackburn with Darwen:

Blackburn with Darwen has a mixture of coniferous and broadleaved plantations as well as semi-natural broadleaved woodland; however, broadleaved woodland is a scarce and fragmented habitat in the Borough. The existing broadleaved woodland is an important resource in terms of the role it plays in providing stepping-stones between fragments of woodland across the Borough and increasing its biodiversity. The semi-natural woodland in the Borough tends to occupy small pockets often associated with cloughs where tree cover can be very sparse. Many of these sites have been wooded for hundreds of years while the surrounding countryside has largely been utilised for agriculture. The Phase 1 habitat survey of the Borough in 1988 identified 494.8 ha of semi-natural woodland and scrub, i.e. 3.6% of the Borough. The additional 371.9 ha of plantation brought the total up to 866.7ha, which equates to 6.3% woodland cover in the Borough. Lancashire’s Ancient Woodland Inventory identified 25 woodlands over two hectares in size (Phillips 1994), amounting to 165 hectares, which is significantly more than in the Boroughs of Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale combined, although some has since been felled. In 2002 ELWOOD (an East Lancashire Woodland Initiative) commissioned a land use potential study to identify existing woodland and the consultants report (Eamonn Wall, 2002) identified 1,330ha, or 9.7% of the Borough. The increase in woodland area from 6.3% in 1988 to 9.7% in 2002 can be explained by new woodland planting by the Council, ELWOOD and through Lancashire Rural Futures.

DWS guidelines for woodland:

Guideline DWS Wd10: Semi-natural woodlands (or re-planted with native broad-leaved species) >0.5ha in all Boroughs, except Lancaster and Ribble Valley, where field evidence indicates they are ancient in origin.


Guideline DWS Wd11: Other upland mixed ashwoods, wet woodland, lowland mixed deciduous woodland, upland birchwoods greater than 0.5ha where the species list conforms to the relevant National Vegetation Classification (NVC) or UK Priority woodland type(s).

Guideline DWS Wd12: Other woodlands greater than 1ha in Zone B or 0.5ha in zones A and C with at least the following numbers of species from the list in Table 1: SEVEN in Zone A, TEN* in Zone B and FIVE* in Zone C.

Guideline DWS Wd13: Broad-leaved woodlands over 1ha in all 3 zones which have >3 ‘old’ trees with FOUR features from Table 2 [Features of ‘old’ trees].

Guideline DWS Wd14: Wet willow, birch or Alder dominated woodlands >0.25ha in all 3 zones with the water table seasonally near or above the surface.

Guideline DWS Wd15: Other upland oak woodland greater than 0.25ha of stand types W11, W16 and/or W17 either as single stands or in combination.

* Numbers to be confirmed following field data being tested against the guideline

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1.2 Parkland and scattered trees

Justification:

Traditional orchards and Wood-pasture and parkland are on the Revised UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitats List 2007 and Lowland wood-pasture and parkland is a Headline Indicator (H3).


These habitat types was not mapped or measured as part of the Phase 1 habitat survey of the Borough, or Lancashire, and there are no BHS in Blackburn with Darwen that have been selected for guideline Pk1 Parkland and scattered trees, hence no statistics are available. The nearest site that has been selected under Pk1 is the Huntroyde Demesne, which straddles the Burnley/Ribble Valley boundary. There are, however, examples of parkland and scattered trees in the Borough, for e.g. at Witton Country Park.

DWS guideline for parkland and scattered trees:

Guideline DWS Pk2: Scattered native or non native trees that include some ‘old’1 trees in parkland or similar (includes churchyards). Trees must have FOUR features from Table 2 [Features of ‘old’ trees].

1 The term ‘old’ tree has been used to differentiate between these mature trees with some features useful for wildlife and the term ‘veteran’ tree, which is very specific and refers to trees of higher wildlife value


1.3 Grassland Justification: Lowland hay meadow habitat is listed in European Directives,

Lowland dry acid grassland, Lowland calcareous grassland, Upland calcareous grassland, Lowland meadows and Upland hay meadows are on the Revised UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitats List 2007 and are Headline Indicators (H3).

Note that Purple Moor-grass and rush pastures and Coastal and floodplain grazing marsh are also grassland habitat but are considered under the Fen and Swamp and Coastal Guidelines respectively.


Grasslands are mostly a product of human-activity exhibiting a range of characteristics depending on many factors including soil nutrient status, slope etc. The Phase 1 habitat survey of the Borough in 1988 identified 3,055.1 ha of semi-natural grassland, i.e. over 22% of the Borough, of which 721.1 ha (23.6%) was neutral (pH between 7.5 and 5.5), 1,091.9 ha (35.7%) was marshy and 1,242.1 ha (40.7) was acidic (pH < 5.5). Species-rich neutral grasslands are a scarce resource in Blackburn with Darwen. These habitats are extremely vulnerable to agricultural improvement and neglect, being difficult or impossible to recreate once lost. Recognition of their value and subsequent encouragement of sympathetic management is therefore very important. Wet grasslands can be very rich in invertebrates and also provide valuable feeding and nesting sites for birds, especially waders. Acid grassland is often associated with lowland dwarf shrub heath communities and in some circumstances may be derived from such communities as a result of heavy grazing and/or burning. The majority of acid grassland in Blackburn with Darwen tends to have low species diversity as a consequence of intensive grazing. However, areas of more species-rich acid grassland do exist but tend to be smaller in size.

DWS guideline for grassland:

Guideline DWS Gr4: Areas of semi-natural grassland over 0.25 hectare with TEN or more species occurring at least occasionally within the sward from the list in Table 3:

Application:

This guideline can be applied to an individual field or parcel of land that is greater than 0.25ha or to a group of fields that qualify collectively and form part of an ecological unit.


1.4 Swamp, fen and reedbed

Justification: Upland flushes, fens and swamps, Lowland fens, Purple moor-grass and rush pasture

and Reedbeds are on the Revised UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitats List 2007 and are Habitats of Principal Importance under Section 41 of the NERC Act 2006.

Fens and Reedbeds are Headline Indicators (H3).


The Phase 1 habitat survey of the Borough in 1988 identified just 1.6 ha of swamp vegetation, i.e. 0.01% of the Borough, but only 160.2 ha of swamp was identified in the whole county with the tiny area in Blackburn with Darwen representing almost 1%. The survey also identified 11.6 ha of flush and spring. Two areas of swamp vegetation were recorded, i.e. 1.2 ha at White House Pond in Woodfold Park and the other area was in Witton Country Park. It is possible that additional areas of swamp vegetation have developed since 1988 and other areas of fen vegetation may also exist in the Borough. Almost all the swamp vegetation in East Lancashire occurs in disused reservoirs and ponds (Dullaghan and Kelly 1991).

DWS guidelines for swamp, fen and reedbed:

Guideline DWS Fe6: Stands of fen, swamp and reedbed >0.3ha. This can include species poor stands.

Guideline DWS Fe7: Stands of fen, swamp and mire that support THREE or more species from Table 4a or 6 or more species from Table 4b.

Application:

The above guidelines include emergent fringes and transitions to marshy ground. Stands may be dominated by Common Reed, Reed Canary grass, sedges, horsetails, Yellow Iris etc. For NVC types see BHS guideline Fe1. Fe6 is intended to include blocks of reedbed habitat rather than reed-fringed watercourses, unless the reedbeds exceed 12 metres in width on average.


1.5 Bog

Justification:

Degraded raised bog (still capable of regeneration) is listed as a habitat in European Directives. Lowland raised bog and Blanket bog are on the Revised UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitats List 2007 and both are Headline Indicators (H3).

Definition:

Peat bogs receive their water and nutrients primarily from rainfall and not from groundwater sources. Bogs will normally comprise semi-natural vegetation developed over peat. Bog habitats include raised bogs and blanket bogs. Large areas of moorland dominated by Heather and Purple Moor-grass are derived from blanket bog that has been drained, burnt and/or grazed to a sufficient extent to cause changes in species composition. This is termed degraded bog and is referred to as either wet or dry modified bog. The presence and extent of cover of any of the species below increases the value of the bog as these indicate more favourable conditions of bog habitats: Sphagnum species Bog-mosses Vaccinium oxycoccus Cranberry Narthecium ossifragum Bog Asphodel


Blackburn with Darwen’s moorland still supports remnant areas of blanket bog, which is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitat, and as such the Council has a responsibility to conserve and enhance areas where blanket bog occurs. The Phase 1 habitat survey of the Borough in 1988 identified 2.6 ha of blanket bog and 1,444.1 ha of dry modified bog, i.e. 10.6% of the Borough. Almost all of the bog in Blackburn with Darwen was found on Darwen Moor (Dullaghan & Kelly 1991).

DWS guidelines for bog:

Guideline DWS Bo8: Any area of lowland raised mire in zone C supporting Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus, Empetrum nigrum and/or Sphagnum species.

Guideline DWS Bo9: Areas of blanket bog or blanket mire in zones A and B supporting moorland vegetation over peat, i.e. comprising any of the following:


Scientific Name Common Name Andromeda polifolia Bog-rosemary Calluna vulgaris Heather Drosera rotundifolia Round-leaved Sundew Empetrum nigrum Crowberry Erica tetralix Cross-leaved Heath Eriophorum angustifolium Common Cottongrass Eriophorum vaginatum Hare’s-tail Cottongrass Molinia caerulea Purple Moor-grass Narthecium ossifragum Bog Asphodel Sphagnum species Bog-mosses Vaccinium myrtillus Bilberry

Guideline DWS Bo10: Areas of bog/mire supporting SEVEN* or more species of Bog-moss (Sphagnum species).

* Number to be confirmed following field data being tested against the guideline

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1.6 Heathland Justification:

Dry heath is a habitat listed in European Directives. Lowland heathland and Upland heathland are on the Revised UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitats List 2007 and are both Headline Indicators (H3).

Definition:

“Heathland” refers to areas of semi-natural vegetation in which dwarf shrubs are prominent, developed over mineral or thin organic soils. Land dominated by heather but growing on peat is in fact modified bog (see 1.5).


Heathland is rare in Blackburn with Darwen as sustained agricultural management practices has meant that much of the heathland resource has degraded to species-poor acid grassland through the effects of intensive grazing. The Phase 1 habitat survey of the Borough in 1988 identified 300.7 ha of heathland, i.e. just over 2% of the Borough. Heathland can occur in more-or-less pure stands or in mosaics with acid grassland and can occur on moorland, along disused railway lines, within golf courses, associated with quarries and on steep slopes in cloughs/river valleys.

DWS guideline for heathland: Guideline DWS He4: Areas of heathland on mineral or thin organic soils greater than FIVE hectares in zone A or 0.25ha in zone C, in which dwarf shrubs occur frequently either individually or combined.


1.7 Freshwater habitats

Justification:

Rivers, Oligotrophic and Dystrophic Lakes, Ponds, Mesotrophic Lakes, Eutrophic Standing Waters and Aquifer-fed Naturally Fluctuating Water Bodies are on the Revised UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitats List 2007. Aquifer-fed Naturally Fluctuating Water Bodies, Chalk Rivers, Eutrophic Standing Waters and Mesotrophic Standing Waters are Headline Indicators (H3).


The Phase 1 habitat survey of the Borough in 1988 identified 251.3 ha of standing water and 0.4ha of running water, i.e. together comprising 1.8% of the Borough.

DWS guideline for Freshwater habitats:

Guideline DWS Ri1: Rivers and streams with at least SEVEN* features from Table 5a, FIVE* features from Table 5b and TEN *species from Table 5c.

* Number to be confirmed following field data being tested against the guideline


1.8 Rock habitats Justification:

Inland rock outcrop and scree habitats is on the Revised UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitats List 2007.


There was no inland rock and scree habitat recorded during the Phase 1 habitat survey of the Borough in 1988. However, rocky cliffs were recorded at Belmont Gorge, Buryfold Brook and Old Briggs Brook.

DWS guideline for Rock Habitats:

Guideline DWS Ro2: Natural cliffs more than THREE metres high and/or screes that support species indicative of a UK BAP habitat type(s) or one or more UK BAP priority species.


1.9 Coastal habitats Justification:

Maritime cliff and slope, Coastal vegetated shingle, Machair and Coastal sand dunes are on the Revised UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitats List 2007 and al are Headline Indicators (H3).


There are no coastal habitats in the land-locked Borough. DWS guidelines for Coastal Habitats: Not applicable.


1.10 Artificial habitats Justification:

Arable field margins and Hedgerows are on the Revised UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitats List 2007. Cereal field margins and Ancient and/or species-rich hedgerows are Headline Indicators (H3). The landscape of the borough has been heavily modified by human activity, often of an industrial nature. Small-scale landscape features can support habitats that make an important contribution to the biodiversity of the borough while not satisfying other habitat guidelines.

Application:

A site qualifying under this guideline must have biological features which are peculiarly a function of the sites’ artificial origin and which can be demonstrated to contribute significantly to the biodiversity of the Borough. A good example is disused quarries, many of which have colonised naturally by vegetation and now exhibit habitats typical of dry acid grassland and/or heathland, or are developing into woodland. Whilst it is recognised that the habitats within artificial sites are secondary to the main habitat types in 1.1 – 1.9 above, they are attributable to UK BAP habitat types, can be locally distinctive and are important in providing connectivity to other sites and habitats within and between neighbouring Boroughs.

DWS guideline for artificial habitats:

Guideline DWS Ar3: Any of the following habitats, which are considered to contribute significantly to the biodiversity of the Borough:

Hedgerows Walls Churchyards Parks and golf courses Reservoirs, mill lodges and ponds Gravel pits Quarries and mines Spoil heaps and landfill Derelict and unmanaged land Sewage works Roadside verges Railway land including cuttings, sidings and embankments, whether active or disused

The 2005-7 UK BAP Priority Habitats Review covers all hedgerows predominantly (i.e. 80% or more cover) of at least one woody UK native species. In addition hedgerows may qualify as “Important” under The Hedgerow Regulations 1997.


1.11 Other areas of semi-natural habitat and habitat mosaics

Justification: Open mosaic habitats on previously developed land is a new habitat added to the Revised UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitats List 2007 for reasons of its decline and in supporting a number of key species. Lancashire has large areas of previously developed land much of which has or is developing open mosaic habitats hence the county has a key national and international obligation in this area. These sites can be important for biodiversity and in terms of connectivity with other sites, thus they are crucial to the areas ecological network and an important part of the regions green infrastructure.

Application:

This guideline covers sites that support a mosaic of habitats that may or may not qualify individually for DWS status but which collectively make a significant contribution to the biodiversity of the Borough. Note: the requirement for habitats to qualify as DWS in their own right does not apply to this guideline.

Land which supports transitions between complementary habitats may provide an additional range of niches for species that depend on a variety of habitats through their life cycle. Habitat mosaics are also valuable in that they demonstrate processes of natural succession between habitats and these can be important for education.

DWS guideline for habitat mosaics:

Guideline DWS Hm4: Habitat mosaics between 5-10 hectares, which contribute significantly to the biodiversity of the Borough.


2. Species Justification:

Certain species such as bats and Great Crested Newt are subject to statutory protection under the provisions of European legislation. Under the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 and the NERC Act 2006, public bodies, including local authorities, have a responsibility to conserve biodiversity.

The following species on the Revised UKBAP Priority List occur in Lancashire and are part of Headline Indicator H3, of which those highlighted in BOLD have been recorded in Blackburn with Darwen:

Scientific name Common name Alchemilla acutiloba a lady’s-mantle Alchemilla wichurae a lady’s-mantle Allium oleraceum Field Garlic Anagallis minima Chaffweed Baldellia ranunculoides Lesser Water-plantain Blysmus compressus Flat-sedge Calamagrostis stricta Narrow Small-reed Cardamine impatiens Narrow-leaved Bitter-cress Carex diandra Lesser Tussock-sedge Carex ericetorum Rare Spring-sedge Carex lasiocarpa Slender Sedge Clinopodium acinos Basil Thyme Cornus suecica Dwarf Cornel Crepis mollis Northern Hawk’s-beard Cynoglossum officinale Hound’s-tongue Cypripedium calceolus Lady’s-slipper Daphne mezereum Mezereum Epipactis dunensis Dune Helleborine Equisetum fluviatile x telmateia = E. x willmotii Wilmott’s Horsetail Euphorbia exigua Dwarf Spurge Euphrasia rostkoviana subsp. Rostkoviana an eyebright Filago vulgaris Common Cudweed Fumaria purpurea Purple Ramping-fumitory Galeopsis angustifolia Red Hemp-nettle Gentianella campestris Field Gentian Glaucium flavum Yellow Horned-poppy Gnaphalium sylvaticum Heath Cudweed Groenlandia densa Opposite-leaved Pondweed Hymenophyllum wilsonii Wilson’s Filmy-fern Hyoscyamus niger Henbane Hypericum montanum Pale St John’s-wort Juniperus communis Juniper Limonium britannicum subsp. Celticum Rock Sea-lavendar Luronium natans Floating Water-plantain Monotropa hypopitys Yellow Bird’s-nest


Scientific name Common name Oenanthe fistulosa Tubular Water-dropwort Ophrys insectifera Fly Orchid Platanthera bifolia Lesser Butterfly-orchid Platanthera chlorantha Greater Butterfly-orchid Primula farinosa Bird’s-eye Primrose Rumex longifolius Northern Dock Saxifraga hypnoides Mossy Saxifrage Scleranthus annuus Annual Knawel Sorbus lancastriensis Lancaster Whitebeam Spiranthes spiralis Autumn Lady’s-tresses Trichomanes speciosum Killarney Fern Viola canina Heath Dog-violet Wahlenbergia hederacea Ivy-leaved Bellflower

Application:

Sites may be selected due to the presence of particular species of plants or animals. These may include species that are priority species in the UKBAP, additional species with Species Action Plans in Lancashire’s BAP and others considered to be rare in Lancashire. Species Action Plans currently exist for a range of species that occur in Lancashire. The Revised UKBAP Priority List 2007 includes additional species, some of which occur in Lancashire. Nationally notable species and others identified as significant in Lancashire represent the range of species whose populations are under threat, in need of monitoring, protecting from development and/or require sympathetic conservation management. In order to conserve biodiversity at the Borough level and to be able to demonstrate that development is sustainable, additional species may also be identified. The presence of notable species is a positive attribute that can make a significant contribution to site selection. Sites that fail habitat guidelines may be selected if they support a certain species or exceed a minimum population size. Note: The decision on which species qualify under the guideline rests with the BHS panel or its successor.

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2.1 Flowering plants and ferns Application:

Site selection for plants that are protected by the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), are in the British Red Data Book, or are nationally “scarce” is covered by the BHS guidelines Ff1 and Ff2. Additional species that are in the provisional Lancashire Red Data List of Vascular Plants are covered by Ff3 and Ff4 (see LCC 1998). There are currently 11 plant species that have Species Action Plans in the Lancashire BAP. The Revised UKBAP Priority List 2007 also includes the species listed above, which occur in Lancashire. These are good examples of notable species and together with work carried out by Lancashire’s Endangered Plants Group (c/o Lancashire’s Biodiversity Partnership), represent the range of vascular plants whose populations are under threat, in need of monitoring, protection from development and/or in need of sympathetic conservation management.

Situation in Blackburn with Darwen: Of the 11 plant species that have Species Action Plans in the Lancashire BAP, three

occur in Blackburn with Darwen, i.e. Black Poplar, Dwarf Cornel and Narrow Small-reed and for the latter species, the site in Blackburn is the only site in the county and is a BHS.

Of the 48 plant species on the Revised UKBAP Priority List 2007 that occur in

Lancashire, seven (Alchemilla acutiloba, Calamagrostis stricta, Clinopodium acinos, Cornus suecica, Daphne mezereum, Monotropa hypopitys and Rumex longifolius) have been recorded in Blackburn with Darwen.

DWS guideline for flowering plants and ferns:

Guideline DWS Ff5 Flowering plants and ferns: A site that supports a population of a native notable species where it can be demonstrated that the site makes a significant contribution to the distribution pattern, or the total population size, of that species in the Borough. Sites that support a native species recorded from THREE or fewer localities in the Borough may be considered where this can be demonstrated.


2.2 Non-vascular plants i.e. Lichens, Mosses and Liverworts (Bryophytes), Stoneworts and other algae.

DWS guidelines for non-vascular plants:

Guidelines for Non-vascular plants: DWS Li7 for Lichens DWS Br6 for Bryophytes, and DWS St5 for Stoneworts A site which supports a population of a native notable species where it can be demonstrated that the site makes a significant contribution to the distribution pattern, or the total population size, of that species in the Borough. Sites that support a native species recorded from THREE or fewer localities in the Borough may be considered where this can be justified.


2.3 Fungi DWS guideline for fungi:

Guideline DWS Fu4 Fungi: A site which supports a population of a native notable species where it can be demonstrated that the site makes a significant contribution to the distribution pattern, or the total population size, of that species in the Borough. Sites that support a native species recorded from THREE or fewer localities in the Borough may be considered where this can be justified.


2.4 Mammals

Application:

Site selection for mammals such as bats, Water Vole, Otter and Red Squirrel that are protected by the Habitats Directive and/or the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) is covered by the BHS guidelines Ma1(a) and Ma1(b). Additional species are covered by Ma2 and Ma3. UK Species Action Plans currently exist for mammals that occur in Lancashire including Water Vole, Brown Hare, Otter, Soprano Pipistrelle and Red Squirrel. The Revised UKBAP Priority List 2007 also includes Water Vole, West European Hedgehog and Brown Hare, which have been recorded in the Borough. The Hedgehog and Brown Hare are UK BAP Priority Mammals that are not covered by the BHS guidelines. Whilst it is not intended that DWS would be selected for these species alone, the presence of a notable population (thresholds yet to be determined) could be added as a secondary qualifying guideline as part of site selection (a new guideline would have to be written, however). Note: the Common Pipistrelle bat does not meet the criteria in the UK Priority list, due to its population being stable, and has been removed from the UK BAP List 2007, which formerly had Species Action Plans. The Soprano Pipistrelle is still a Priority species.


2.5 Birds (avifauna) Application:

The 1998 BHS Guidelines for breeding birds have been reviewed in light of new data collected for the “Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Lancashire and North Merseyside” (Lancashire and Cheshire Fauna Society 2001). Sites identified for their ornithological interest have been re-evaluated against the revised guidelines for birds and the following DWS criteria for birds are based on 60% of the figures in the most-up-to-date BHS guideline.

DWS guidelines for birds:

Guideline DWS Birds Av3: A site which regularly supports a significant population of a scarce Lancashire breeding bird species. The species, together with their individual threshold population size (in pairs), to which this guideline should be presently applied include:

Grey Heron (3 occupied nests), Gadwall (1), Shoveler (1), Little Ringed Plover (1), Ringed Plover (1), Golden Plover (1), Long-eared Owl (1), and Yellow Wagtail (1).

Guideline DWS Birds Av7: A site which regularly supports a significant non-breeding population in Lancashire of a bird species not included in BHS Guideline Av11. At present, this DWS guideline can be applied to Hirundine flocks (swallows and martins) of 180 birds or more. Consideration may be given to other species in the future as adequate data becomes available. Guideline DWS Birds Av8: A site which supports a breeding bird assemblage with a total score, calculated from the values in Table of Breeding Bird Assemblages of Different Habitats of the BHS Guidelines for Site Selection, which equals or exceeds 60% of the threshold site-index values shown in that Table. The most up-to-date values are to be used.


Guideline DWS Birds Av9: A site comprising inbye land or lowland pasture* which regularly supports a significant breeding population of a wader species not included under the relevant BHS guideline. This DWS guideline can be applied to sites that support:

6 pairs of breeding Lapwing, or 2 pairs of breeding Snipe, or 2 or 3 pairs of breeding Curlew, or 2 pairs of breeding Redshank.

This can be applied to individual fields or clusters of adjacent fields, which are managed in a similar way. Guideline DWS Birds Av10: A site from which the following have been recorded:

(a) 27 breeding bird species; or (b) 36 breeding and wintering bird species; or (c) 60 breeding, wintering and passage bird species.

* Arable fields and short-term leys are not covered by this guideline

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2.6 Reptiles and Amphibians

Application:

Site selection for Adder, Grass Snake, Slow-worm, Great Crested Newt and Natterjack Toad is covered by the BHS guidelines Am1a and Am1b. Site supporting notable combinations of amphibian species are covered by Am2 and Am3. UK Species Action Plans currently exist for Slow-worm, Natterjack Toad and Great Crested Newt, which occur in Lancashire. The Revised UKBAP Priority List 2007 also includes the Common Toad, Common Lizard and Grass Snake, which occur in Lancashire. The Common Lizard is a UK BAP Priority Species that is not covered by the BHS guidelines. Whilst it is not intended that DWS would be selected for this species alone, the presence of a notable population (threshold yet to be determined) could be added as a secondary qualifying guideline as part of site selection (a new guideline would have to be written). The DWS guidelines are based on the BHS guidelines Am2 and Am3b.

DWS guidelines for reptiles and amphibians:

Guideline DWS Am2: Any site which regularly supports a “good” population of any amphibian species, as defined in Table 6. Guideline DWS Am3c: Any site with an amphibian score of FIVE or more, as defined in Table 6.


2.7 Fish Application:

Sites that support native populations of fish species that are protected under the EC Habitats Directive are already covered by the BHS guideline Fi1 and applies to four species: Bullhead, River Lamprey, Brook Lamprey and Salmon. There is a national and international obligation to protect these species and their habitats. At present there is insufficient information regarding the distribution and population of fish species in Lancashire from which to develop detailed DWS selection guidelines.


2.8 Invertebrates Application:

Sites that support native populations of invertebrate species that are specially protected under the Habitats Directive, and/or are listed in Schedule 5 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), and/or are British Red Data Book species, Nationally Scarce and/or support other notable populations are already covered by the BHS guidelines Le1-5, Od1-5, Or1-5, Mo1-4 and In1-4. At present there is no intention to develop detailed DWS selection guidelines for invertebrates in Lancashire.


3. Implementation

Implementation of the Local Wildlife Sites system should involve: • Appropriate dialogue and involvement across the range of relevant stakeholders; • Operation according to clearly understood processes and criteria for the selection of sites; • Maintenance of a suite of sites that remain relevant at any point in time; and, • Delivery in a transparent way that can be communicated with confidence to all parties from

landowners to developers. The system should be reviewed, the current position reassessed and changes implemented in order to meet existing nature conservation policy objectives.

Many organisations have an interest in biodiversity and geological conservation. They may have a general interest, hold information about these subjects, or have responsibilities or carry out activities that impinge on them. The establishment and management of a Local Sites system, whilst needing a clear focus of responsibility, should be based on a partnership approach involving such organisations.

Defra recommends that Local Sites partnerships should:

• Build or draw upon such established partnerships where they exist. • Review existing arrangements for managing Local Sites systems against the good practice

principles, which recognise that a partnership could structure itself in a variety of ways. • Consider the need to inform and involve wider nature conservation and community

interests at relevant stages in the selection process, and • Consider how it can support the management and protection of Local Sites once selected.

Defra recommends that the partnership should include representatives from the following:

• Local Authorities; • Voluntary and community sector; • Statutory agencies and bodies; and • Land-owning interests

It is intended that a Lancashire Local Sites Partnership comprising current members of the BHS panel and GeoConservation (formerly RIGS) group will be set up to deal with BHS, RIGS, District Wildlife Sites and, should guidelines be developed, District Geological Sites.

The role of the Local Sites Partnership will be to:

• Agree the basis for site selection; • Co-ordinate site selection procedures including survey and identification of candidate sites; • Actively promote and support site management; • Co-ordinate funding provision and/or identify and promote the taking up of funding

opportunities; • Promote educational use where appropriate; • Establish a process for monitoring the condition of the selected sites; • Review the operation of the Local Sites system at suitable intervals; • Promote the role and importance of Local Sites at a strategic level (for example in

delivering BAP targets, targeting of agri-environmental schemes) and; • Promote the enhancement of sites through buffering and increasing connectivity.


The partnership will agree clear roles and responsibilities for the partners involved and set out the process it will follow, and the criteria it will use, in selecting Local Sites. Once the partnership has agreed and documented the criteria, candidate sites should be assessed against them. The objective of site selection is to select all sites that meet the criteria. After the sites have been selected, a Register of Local Sites will be set up, maintained and periodically reviewed. It will be important to make every effort to ensure that activities affecting the sites are managed so as to be sympathetic to the interests of the sites. A number of organizations, partnerships and initiatives already exist and which are already involved in, to varying degrees, the processes of data compilation, site/species surveying, site management and provision of advice in Lancashire: • Local authorities (Borough Councils and Lancashire County Council),

• Voluntary and community groups (Lancashire Wildlife Trust, RSPB, Prospects, Friends of groups, Pond Conservation etc.),

• Statutory agencies and bodies (Natural England, Forestry Commission, Environment Agency),

• Partnerships (Lancashire’s Biodiversity Partnership, Lancashire Woodland Project, West Pennine Moors Partnership),

• Landowner interests (FWAG, CLA, NFU and land agents), and

• Others (private consultants, local naturalists etc).

The partnership will provide a coordinated approach to finding out who is doing what, where and when and find out if there are gaps in baseline information, condition assessments and levels of management activity. Defra also recommends that their general condition is monitored to ensure that they retain the interests for which they were selected. Similarly, the system itself will require ongoing maintenance and the administration of Local Sites systems in this way will require resourcing at a local level.

As new information comes to light, for species in particular, the selection and review process may take a number of years and it may be best to operate as a rolling programme of work. This should be planned such that individual sites are revisited at regular and consistent intervals.

Information about the importance of the sites within a local system should be publicly available and locational details should be sent to relevant decision-makers.

33


References Blackburn with Darwen Borough (2002) Blackburn with Darwen Borough Local Plan 1991-2006. Blackburn with Darwen Borough, Blackburn.

Bowland Ecology (2006) Guidelines for the Selection of Local Nature Conservation Sites (LNCS) in West Lancashire. Bowland Ecology, unpublished report.

Defra (2006) Local Sites. Guidance on their identification, Selection and Management. Dullaghan, P. and Kelly, P. (1991) Phase 1 Habitat Survey of Blackburn District. Nature Conservancy Council, Bowness-on-Windermere.

Eamonn Wall & Co. (2002) Report to ELWOOD. Eamonn Wall, unpublished.

Kelly, P.J. and Harwood, T. (1993) Wildlife Habitats in Lancashire. Lancashire County Council/English Nature.

Lancashire Biodiversity Partnership (2001) Lancashire’s Biodiversity Action Plan. www.lbap.org.uk

Lancashire & Cheshire Fauna Society (2001) Atlas of Breeding Birds of Lancashire and North Merseyside 1997-2000. Hobby Publications, Maghull.

Lancashire County Council (1998) Guidelines for the selection of Biological Heritage Sites. Lancashire County Council, Preston (www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/ecology/bhs.asp )

Lancashire County Council (2010) BHS Review 2010. Lancashire County Council, Preston

Lancashire Trust for Nature Conservation (1992) Borough of Blackburn Wildlife Survey. 3 volumes. Unpublished report to Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. Lancashire Trust for Nature Conservation, Preston.

Lancashire Wildlife Trust (2003) Guidelines for the selection of Important Wildlife Sites in Rossendale. Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Preston, unpublished report.

Lancashire Wildlife Trust (2005) An assessment of community nominated Local Nature Reserve sites in Blackburn with Darwen. Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Preston.

Lancashire Wildlife Trust (2007) Draft Guidelines for the selection of Important Wildlife Sites in Hyndburn. Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Preston, unpublished report.

Motley, G.S. and Kelly, P. (1991) Lancashire Phase One Habitat Survey. Blackburn with Darwen District Report. English Nature, Bowness-on-Windermere.

Phillips, P.M. (1994) Inventory of ancient woodland (provisional) Lancashire. English Nature, Peterborough.

Rodwell, J. editor (1991) British Plant Communities Volume 1 Woodlands and scrub. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Stace, C. (2010) New Flora of the British Isles. Third Edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

http://www.lbap.org.uk/

http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/ecology/bhs.asp


Appendices Table 1 Woodland species

(applicable to DWS guidelines Wd12).

Scientific Name Common Name Habitat (from Stace (2010)

Ajuga reptans Bugle Wood, shade, grass Allium ursinum Ramsons Wood, shade Anemone nemorosa Wood Anemone Wood, hedge, grass Arum maculatum Lords-and-Ladies Wood, hedge Brachypodium sylvaticum Wood False-brome Wood, scrub, shade Bromopsis ramosa Hairy-brome Wood, margins, hedge Campanula latifolia Greater Bell-flower Wood Carex laevigata Smooth-stalked Sedge Shade, wood Carex pendula Pendulus Sedge Wood, copse

Carex remota Remote Sedge Wood, hedge, shade, ditch

Carex strigosa Thin-spiked Wood-sedge Wood, glade Carex sylvatica Wood Sedge Wood, hedge, scrub Ceratocapnos claviculata Climbing Corydalis Wood, shade Circaea lutetiana Enchanter’s-nightshade Wood, hedge, shade Circaea x intermedia Upland Enchanter’s-nightshade Wood, shady rocks Conopodium majus Pignut Grass, hedge, wood

Dryopteris dilatata Broad Buckler-fern Wood, hedge, ditch, shade

Epipactis helleborine Broad-leaved Helleborine Wood, scrub, hedge, dune Equisetum telmateia Great Horsetail Shade, wood, wayside Festuca altissima Wood Fescue Wood, copse Schedonorus (Festuca) giganteus Giant Fescue Wood, hedge, shade Fragaria vesca Wild Strawberry Wood, scrub, hedge Galium odoratum Woodruff Wood, hedge Geum urbanum Wood Avens Wood, hedge Gymnocarpium dryopteris Oak Fern Wood, shade Helleborus foetidus Stinking Hellebore Wood, scrub Holcus mollis Creeping Soft-grass Wood, hedge, grass, Hordelymus europaeus Wood Barley Wood, copse

Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell Wood, hedge, shade, grass

Hypericum pulchrum Slender St John's-wort Open wood, hedge, heath Lamiastrum galeobdolon Yellow Archangel Wood, border, hedge Lathraea squamaria Toothwort Wood, hedge

Lathyrus linifolius Bitter-vetch Wood-border, hedge, scrub

Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle Wood, scrub, hedge

Luzula pilosa Hairy Wood-rush Wood, hedge, heather moor

Luzula sylvatica Greater Woodrush Wood, moor, shady streamside

Lysimachia nemorum Yellow Pimpernel Wood, copse Melampyrum pratense Common Cow-wheat Wood, scrub, heath Melica nutans Mountain Melick Wood, scrub, shady rock-


Scientific Name Common Name Habitat (from Stace (2010) crevice

Melica uniflora Wood Melick Wood, hedge Mercurialis perennis Dog’s Mercury Wood, hedge, shady rock Millium effusum Wood Millet wood Hypopitys (Monotropa) hypopitys Yellow Bird's-nest Wood, dune Orchis mascula Early Purple-orchid Grass, scrub, wood Oreopteris limbosperma Lemon-scented Fern Damp shade inc wood Oxalis acetosella Wood Sorrel Wood, hedge, shady rock Paris quadrifolia Herb Paris wood

Phegopteris connectilis Beech Fern Wood, shady rocky places & banks

Poa nemoralis Wood Meadow-grass Wood, hedge, wall, shade Polystichum aculeatum Hard Shield-fern Wood, hedge Polystichum setiferum Soft Shield-fern Wood, hedge

Potentilla sterilis Barren Strawberry Wood margins & glades, scrub, hedge

Primula vulgaris Primrose Wood, hedge, damp grass Ranunculus auricomus Goldilocks Buttercup Wood, hedge

Rumex sanguineus Wood Dock Damp shade – wood, hedge & water

Sanicula europaea Sanicle wood Stellaria holostea Greater Stitchwort Wood, shady hedge

Tamus communis Black Bryony Hedge, scrub, wood-margins

Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell Wood, hedge, grass Veronica montana Wood Speedwell wood

Vicia sylvatica Wood Vetch Wood, wood-border, scree, scrub, maritime cliff & shingle

Viola odorata Sweet Violet Wood, scrub, hedge Viola reichenbachiana Early Dog-violet Wood, hedgebank Viola riviniana Common Dog-violet Wood, grass

Note: Species in Table 1 have been taken from a longer list but only those species that occur in predominantly woodland habitats, i.e. copse, hedge, wood, scrub and shade representing 50% or more of the habitat types for the species as listed in Stace (2010), have been included.

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Table 2. Features of ‘old’ trees (applicable to DWS guideline Wd13)

Feature Threshold Trees with a large girth, measured at 1.3m above the ground >1m Large cavities in the trunk Present Naturally forming water pools e.g. in branch forks Present Decay holes >2 Naturally occurring bark loss Present Large amount of dead wood in the canopy >20% Sap runs Present Crevices in the bark or under branches sheltered from direct rainfall Present Fungal fruiting bodies Present Epiphytic plants Present Pollarded form Present A prominent position in the landscape Present


Table 3 Plant species of semi-natural grasslands (applicable to DWS guideline Gr4)

Scientific Name Common Name Achillea ptarmica Sneezewort Ajuga reptans Bugle Alchemilla spp Lady's mantle Anemone nemorosa Wood Anemone Anthyllis vulneraria Kidney Vetch Botrychium lunaria Moonwort Briza media Quaking-grass Caltha palustris Marsh-marigold Campanula rotundifolia Harebell Cardamine pratensis Cuckoo-flower (addition to Gr3) Carex caryophyllea Spring Sedge Carex disticha Brown Sedge Carex flacca Glaucous Sedge Carex hostiana Tawny Sedge Carex nigra Common Sedge (addition to Gr3) Carex pallescens Pale Sedge Carex panicea Carnation Sedge Carex pilulifera Pill Sedge (addition to Gr3) Carex pulicaris Flea Sedge Carex spicata Spiked Sedge Centaurea nigra Common Knapweed Cirsium heterophyllum Melancholy Thistle Conopodium majus Pignut Crepis paludosa Marsh Hawk's-beard Dactylorhiza spp Marsh and Spotted-orchids Danthonia decumbens Heath-grass Equisetum sylvaticum Wood Horsetail Euphrasia spp Eyebright Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet Galium sterneri Limestone Bedstraw Galium verum Lady's Bedstraw Genista tinctoria Dyer's Greenweed Geranium columbinum Long-stalked Crane's-bill Geranium pratense Meadow Crane's-bill Geranium sylvaticum Wood Crane's-bill Geum rivale Water Avens Gymnadenia conopsea Fragrant Orchid Helianthemum nummularium Common Rock-rose Helictotrichon pubescens Downy Oat-grass Helioctotrichon pratense Meadow Oat-grass Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell Hypericum pulchrum Slender St John's-wort Hypochoeris radicata Cat's-ear Knautia arvensis Field Scabious


Scientific Name Common Name Lathyrus linifolius Bitter-vetch Lathyrus pratensis Meadow Vetchling Leontodon autumnalis Autumn Hawkbit Leontodon hispidus Rough Hawkbit Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye Daisy Linum catharticum Fairy Flax Listera ovata Common Ttayblade Lotus corniculatus Common Bird's-foot-trefoil Lotus pedunculatus Greater Bird's-foot-trefoil Luzula campestris/multiflora Field/Heath Woodrush Lychnis flos-cuculi Ragged-Robin Ophioglossum vulgatum Adder's-tongue Orchis mascula Early-purple Orchid Parnassia palustris Grass-of-Parnassus Pedicularis sylvatica Lousewort Pilosella officinarum Mouse-ear Hawkweed Pimpinella major Greater Burnet-saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet-saxifrage Polygala spp Milkwort Polygonum bistorta Common Bistort Potentilla erecta Tormentil (addition to Gr3) Primula farinosa Bird’s-eye Primrose Primula veris Cowslip Prunella vulgaris Selfheal Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous Buttercup Rhinanthus minor Yellow-rattle Rumex acetosa* Common Sorrel (addition to Gr3) Sanguisorba minor Salad Burnet Sanguisorba officinalis Great Burnet Saxifraga granulata Meadow Saxifrage Saxifraga tridactylites Rue-leaved Saxifrage Scabiosa columbaria Small Scabious Serratula tinctoria Saw-wort Sesleria caerulea Blue Moor-grass Stachys officinalis Betony Stellaria graminea Lesser Stitchwort Succisa pratensis Devil's-bit Scabious Taraxacum sect Erythrosperma Dandelion Taraxacum sect Spectabilia or Naevosa Dandelion Thalictrum flavum Common Meadow-rue Thymus polytrichus Wild Thyme Trifolium medium Zigzag Clover Trisetum flavescens Yellow Oat-grass

* included because of its importance as a food source for the twite, a UKBAP Priority bird which breeds on the moors and has suffered historical and recent population declines

39


Scientific Name Common Name Trollius europaeus Globeflower Valeriana dioica Marsh Valerian Veronica officinalis Heath Speedwell

40


Table 4a. Plant species of acidic (base-poor) fen (applicable to DWS guideline Fe7).

Scientific name Common name Carex canescens (C.curta) White Sedge Carex echinata Star Sedge Drosera rotundifolia Round-leaved Sundew Erica tetralix Cross-leaved Heath Eriophorum angustifolium Common Cottongrass Narthecium ossifragum Bog Asphodel Philonotis fontana Fountain Apple-moss Ranunculus omiophyllus Round-leaved Crowfoot Sphagnum denticulatum or Sphagnum fallax Cow-horn Bog-moss or Flat-topped Bog-

moss Sphagnum palustre Blunt-leaved Bog-moss Trichophorum germanicum Deergrass Vaccinium oxycoccus Cranberry

Table 4b. Plant species of neutral and alkaline (moderate to base-rich) fen

(applicable to DWS guideline Fe7). Scientific name Common name Vascular plants: Anagallis tenella Bog Pimpernel Briza media Common Quaking-grass Caltha palustris Marsh-marigold Carex canescens (C.curta) White Sedge Carex demissa (C. viridula ssp. oedocarpa) Common Yellow-sedge Carex echinata Star Sedge Carex dioica Dioecious Sedge Carex flacca Glaucous Sedge Carex hostiana Tawny Sedge Carex lepidocarpa (C. viridula ssp. brachyrrhyncha)

Long-stalked Yellow-sedge

Carex panicea Carnation Sedge Carex paniculata Great Tussock-sedge Carex pulicaris Flea Sedge Carex rostrata Bottle Sedge Crepis paludosa Marsh Hawk’s-beard Dactylorhiza spp. Spotted/Marsh-orchid Eleocharis quinqueflora Few-flowered Spike-rush Equisetum fluviatile Water Horsetail Eriophorum latifolium Broad-leaved Cottongrass Galium uliginosum Fen Bedstraw Hydrocotyle vulgaris Marsh Pennywort Juncus acutiflorus (including J. x surrejanus) Sharp-flowered Rush Juncus subnodulosus Blunt-flowered Rush Lychnis flos-cuculi Ragged-Robin Menyanthes trifoliata Bogbean


Scientific name Common name Myosotis secunda Creeping Forget-me-not Myosotis stolonifera Pale Forget-me-not Narthecium ossifragum Bog Asphodel Parnassia palustris Grass-of-Parnassus Pedicularis sylvatica Lousewort Pinguicula vulgaris Common Butterwort Potamogeton polygonifolius Bog Pondweed Potentilla palustris Marsh Cinquefoil Primula farinosa Bird’s-eye Primrose Ranunculus flammula Lesser Spearwort Selaginella selaginoides Lesser Clubmoss Triglochin palustre Marsh Arrowgrass Valeriana dioica Marsh Valerian Viola palustris Marsh Violet Bryophytes: Calliergonella cuspidate Pointed Spear-moss Ctenidium molluscum Chalk Comb-moss Drepanocladus revolvens Rusty Hook-moss Philonotis fontana Fountain Apple-moss

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Table 5a. Features of small rivers and streams (applicable to DWS guideline Ri1)

Feature Size threshold Riffle and pool system none Braided channel none Gravel substrate 20m stretch Sedimentary bar exposed in periods of low flow and not subject to excessive trampling

4m2

Earth cliff eroded by water course 1m high Waterfall 1.5m high Moss-covered bedrock or boulders none Riparian trees with exposed roots and overhanging branches on rivers wider than three metres

trees >10m high

Presence of pondweeds (Potamogeton sp., except P. pectinatus) or water-crowfoots (Ranunculus sp.)

none

Table 5b. Features of large rivers and streams

(applicable to DWS guideline Ri1)

Feature Size threshold Sedimentary bar exposed in periods of low flow and not subject to excessive trampling.

20m2

Earth cliff eroded by water course. 1.5m high Riparian trees with exposed roots and overhanging branches. trees >10m high Presence of pondweed, (Potamogeton sp. except P. pectinatus), water crowfoot (Ranunculus sp.), or water milfoils (Myriophyllum sp.)

none

Fringes of emergent vegetation along 75% of one bank. per 1 km stretch Stands or fringes of at least TEN* species in the list below per 1 km stretch Mats of floating vegetation of one or more species in the list below

500m2 per 1km stretch

Table 5c Associated aquatic plants

(applicable to DWS guideline Ri1, after Palmer and Newbold, 1983):

Scientific name Common name Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent Apium nodiflorum Fool's-water-cress Berula erecta Lesser Water-parsnip Callitriche hamulata Intermediate Water-starwort Callitriche stagnalis Common Water-starwort Caltha palustris Marsh-marigold Carex acuta Slender Tufted-sedge Carex acutiformis Lesser Pond-sedge Carex nigra Common Sedge Carex paniculata Greater Tussock-sedge Carex riparia Greater Pond-sedge


Scientific name Common name Carex rostrata Bottle Sedge Carex vesicaria Bladder-sedge (very rare in Lancashire) Catabrosa aquatica Whorl-grass Drosera rotundifolia Round-leaved Sundew Eleocharis palustris Common Spike-rush Equisetum fluviatile Water Horsetail Equisetum palustre Marsh Horsetail Eriophorum angustifolium Common Cottongrass Galium palustre Common Marsh-bedstraw Glyceria declinata Small Sweet-grass (rare, possibly over-looked in Lancashire) Glyceria fluitans Floating Sweet-grass Glyceria maxima Reed Sweet-grass Glyceria notata Plicate Sweet-grass Hippuris vulgaris Mare's-tail Hydrocotyle vulgaris Marsh Pennywort Iris pseudacorus Yellow Iris Juncus bulbosus Bulbous Rush Juncus effusus Soft-rush Lemna minor Common Duckweed Littorella uniflora Shoreweed (rare in Lancashire) Mentha aquatica Water Mint Menyanthes trifoliata Bogbean Myosotis laxa Tufted Forget-me-not Myosotis scorpioides Water Forget-me-not Myosotis secunda Creeping Forget-me-not Myriophyllum spp. water mil-foil species Nuphar lutea Yellow Water-lily Nymphaea alba White Water-lily Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water-dropwort Phalaris arundinacea Reed Canary-grass Phragmites australis Common Reed Persicaria amphibia Amphibious Bistort Persicaria hydropiper Water-pepper Potentilla palustris Marsh Cinquefoil Potamogeton spp. pondweed Ranunculus spp. water-crowfoot Ranunculus sceleratus Celery-leaved Buttercup Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum Water-cress Schoenoplectus lacustris Common Club-rush Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet Sparganium emersum Unbranched Bur-reed Sparganium erectum Branched Bur-reed Typha latifolia Bulrush Veronica anagallis-aquatica Blue Water-speedwell Veronica beccabunga Brooklime Veronica scutellata Marsh Speedwell

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Table 6. A scoring system for the selection of sites with assemblages of amphibians (applicable to DWS guideline Am2 and Am3c, after NCC 1989).

Species Method ‘Low’ ‘Good’ ‘Exceptional’ Population Population Population Score 1 Score 2 Score 3 Great Crested Newt Seen or netted in day

Counted at night <5 <10

5-50 10-100

>50 >100

Smooth Newt Netted in day} Counted at night}

<10 10-100 >100

Palmate Newt Netted in day} Counted at night}

<10 10-100 >100

Common Toad Estimated Counted

<500 <100

500-5,000 100-1,000

>5,000 >1,000

Common Frog Spawn clumps counted <50 50-500 >500