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The aim of this protocol is to establish a baseline, and implement ongoing monitoring of the bog/fen/mire area at Agden Bog. Condition is assessed through the cover and frequency of positive and negative species. This method is not designed to compile a species list for the sites but will provide information in order to assess the health of the bog, and if the area is meeting requirements of agri-environment schemes.
Key attributes
- Within 0.5ha key area (bog/mire/fen/wet heath habitats).
- At least 2 positive indicators (see species list 1) occurring frequently (occurring in at least 40-60% of 10x10m grids) across key area.
- At least 2 positive indicators (see species list 1) occurring occasionally (occurring in at least 20-40%% of 10x10m grids) across key area.
- Presence of key species in core locations (see species list2 and map).
- Presence of key bryophytes (see table 3).
- Scrub and dense bracken are both <1 in each grid square.
- Mean Ellenberg F value of 8, from indicator species recorded.
Species list 1
Achillea ptarmica
Ajuga reptans
Anagallis tenella
Angelica sylvestris
Berula erecta
Briza media
Caltha palustris
Carex flacca
Carex laevigata
Carex nigra
Carex panicea
Carex pulicaris
Carex viridula subsp. oedocarpa
Cirsium dissectum
Crepis paludosa
Drosera rotundifolia
Erica tetralix
Eriophorum angustifolium
Eupatorium cannabinum
Filipendula ulmaria
Galium palustre
Galium uliginosum
Geum rivale
Hydrocotyle vulgaris
Hypericum pulchrum
Isolepis setacea
Juncus articulatus
Leontodon hispidus
Lotus pedunculatus
Lychnis flos-cuculi
Lysimachia nemorum
Melampyrum pratense
Narthecium ossifragum
Orchidaceae
Pinguicula vulgaris
Potentilla erecta
Potentilla palustris
Ranunculus flammula
Sanguisorba officinalis
Scutellaria minor
Serratula tinctoria
Succisa pratensis
Thalictrum flavum
Vaccinium oxycoccos
Valeriana dioica
Valeriana officinalis
Viola palustris
Species list 2
Anagallis tenella
Carex pulicaris
Drosera rotundifolia
Isolepis setacea
Narthecium ossifragum
Pinguicula vulgaris
Vaccinium oxycoccos
Melampyrum pratense
Species list 3
Aneur pinguis
Bryum pseudotriquetrum
Campylium stellatum
Ctenidium molluscum
Palustriella commutate
Pellia endiviifolia
Scorpidium cossonnii
Sphagnum spp
Protocol description
This protocol is carried out by completing a series of ticklists and measurements on a walk-through assessment of the bog.
Skill level
Surveyors should be able to identify the full list of positive indicator species, which includes identifying bryophytes. Surveyors should have botanical skills consummate with a FISC Level 4.
Materials/equipment
- Map with marked grid squares
- GPS with grid squares loaded & spare batteries
- Weather writer and pen/pencil
- Survey sheets
- Instructions / criteria (see below)
- Marker flags for marking out squares
Timing
One visit should be carried out between July and August.
Method
This protocol is carried out by completing a series of ticklists and measurements on a walk-through assessment of the bog.
The area has been separated into 10x10m squares, with a survey completed for each grid square. Species indicators are assessed using a ticklist and cover scores for scrub and bracken are made using a 0-3 scale whereby;
0- Absent
1- Rare
2- Frequent
3- Complete cover
A whole site Ellenberg score is calculated through frequency weighted averages, including the species F value in the calculation for each grid it is recorded in, rather than weighting the average by abundance, or counting each species only once.
References
Eades, P. (2018) Agden Bog Nature Reserve Vegetation Survey: Sheffield Lakeland Landscape Partnership.
HILL, M. O., MOUNTFORD, J. O., ROY, D. B. and BUNCE, R. G. H. (1999) Ellenberg's Indicator Values for British Plants. ECOFACT Volume 2. Technical Annex Institute of Terrestrial Ecology.
Natural England (2017) Entry Level and Higher Level Stewardship Agreement. Agreement number AG00712129.
TÖLGYESI, C., BÁTORI, Z. and ERDŐS, L. (2014) 'Using statistical tests on relative ecological indicator values to compare vegetation units -Different approaches and weighting.', Ecological Indicators, 36, pp. 441-446.