Habitat management plan by Amy Lee

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INTRODUCTION The Sheffield City Council has an ambition to develop a ‘green corridor’ extending from the Sunnybank Nature Reserve on Ecclesall Road through to the Devonshire Green site along the Gold Route. This document has been commissioned to give a conceptual idea on ways in which this can be achieved, and identifies a site within the corridor which could be specifically developed to improve the ecological value of the area including a simple management plan for developing and optimising biodiversity at this site.

THE BENEFITS OF A GREEN CORRIDOR In 2010 Sheffield adopted a Green and Open Space Strategy 2010 - 2030 (SGOSS) which realises the city’s position as one of the greenest in Britain and aims to affirm and capitalise on this image through the introduction of more sustainable green and open spaces of exceptional quality to encourage increased environmental, social and economic benefits. The SGOSS also feeds into and links other strategies including the Sheffield City Strategy, Nature Conservation Strategy and Culture Strategy as examples. The focus of this document is primarily on the ecological and environmental benefits described in the SGOSS which benefits also extend out into social and economic. Some example policy statements taken from the SGOSS which are particularly important to this document include:

Managing for nature and biodiversity. 

Manage all public spaces, where appropriate, to protect and enhance their potential value for wildlife and habitats.



Develop the wildlife potential of other non-public spaces, where appropriate, to support the sustainability of the wider green space network.



Promote awareness and understanding of the nature conservation value of green spaces as a core part of managing those sites for wildlife and biodiversity.

Green connections for wildlife and people 

Manage a network of urban 'green links' for nature conservation that link in with regional nature conservation corridors.



Connect communities to Sheffield's urban and rural green and open spaces by a network of attractive walking and cycling routes - 'green connections'.



Seek opportunities for environmental enhancement of the connections network and to create connections where sections are missing - to encourage public use or to enhance their value for biodiversity, as appropriate.

DEFRA’s Natural Environment White Paper outlines the Government’s vision for the natural environment over the next 50 years and within it includes a statement which says that to secure the value of nature we must see the landscape as a whole and link different areas of green through networks and corridors to provide greater ecological value overall and to allow species dispersal. Habitat fragmentation impoverishes habitats therefore there is increased likelihood of local extinction of species if areas are too far apart to allow for safe immigration.

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The green corridor is also in compliance with Sheffieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), Habitat Action Plans (HAPs) and Species Action Plans (SAPs). In improving the environment there are also social benefits which can include an increase in community pride in taking ownership of a space and a sense of belonging, evidence of a decrease in antisocial behaviour with increased usage of a site with natural surveillance, a change in public perceptions of a space and an increase in investors to boost the local economy. There are also health benefits which can include therapeutic and the use of the space for exercise and informal recreation. Green spaces also provide the opportunity to educate the public of these environmental benefits when they see the difference that they make to the area.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The following aims and objectives are adapted from the Sheffield Green and Open Space Strategy 2010 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2030 to ensure the city-wide strategy is met for the green corridor.

AIM 1. Environment sustainability To create the greenest city in Britain. OBJECTIVES 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4

Managing for nature & greater biodiversity. Making connections for people & wildlife. Increase total spatial extent of natural areas in the city centre. To maintain or increase populations of key species, and the extent and quality of key habitats in accordance with Sheffield, Yorkshire & Humber and UK Biodiversity Action Plans.

AIM 2. Places

To open up the space and make it a bigger part of the city. OBJECTIVES 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5

Creating a sustainable place. Creating a safe & welcoming publicly accessible place. Valuing local character & heritage. Encouraging engagement with place and recreation opportunities. Increasing visitor numbers to area.

AIM 3. People To create a shared resource for all current and future generations to enjoy. OBJECTIVES 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5

Encourage greater community use, care and management. Encouraging diversity & inclusion. Promoting health & activity. Supporting education & learning. Promoting safety & security.

STRATEGY The green corridor is situated alongside busy highways and heavily built up areas of both residential and commercial uses. In order to increase the biodiversity of the corridor the following strategy has been proposed.

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GREENCORRI DORPROPOSALS SUNNYBANKNATURERESERVE Cont i nuedmanagementbyTheWi l dl i f eT r us tf orShef f i el dandRot her ham i ncl udi ng: Coppi ci ngandpl ant i ngt omai nt ai ndi v er s ecanopys t r uct ur eandages , i ncor por t ai ngs t andi ngandl yi ngdeadwoodf ormax i mum habi t at sandni ches f orwi l dl i f e. Encour agi ngat t r act i v eandcol our f ulwoodl andwi l df l ower ses peci al l yatedges andl i ni ngpat hst oi ncr eas enect arf orpol l i nat or sandi nv er t ebr at esf orbi r ds ands mal lmammal saswel lasmak i ngt hewoodl andmor ev i s ual l yat t r act i v e f orpeopl ewhi chencour agesmor ei nf or malr ecr eat i on.

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At present the site is mainly used by the public and employees of the works as a thoroughfare and for its many car parks. It is a forgotten space and away from the public eye. The site feels separate to the rest of the Devonshire Quarter both in terms of investment and sense of community. In terms of landscape value the sites past industrial use has led to highly possible contamination of its soils. Iron, sulphates, coals and heavy metals (mostly bound in the soil) means that the soil is dry and acidic although concrete is calcareous the vegetation indicates acidic conditions. The vegetation presently consists of those found in urban common/post-industrial site habitat and includes wild cherry (Prunus avium.), buddleia (Buddleja davidii), rosebay willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium), greater plantain (Plantago major) and beaked hawk’s beard (Crepis vesicaria) and wildlife species found are those typical to urban common habitats.

DETAILED STRATEGY A detailed strategy has been drafted for a chosen site along the green corridor. This site sits at the junction between Egerton Street and Headford Street near Milton Street and is presently a private car park. It is in a strategic location aiming to increase species immigration opportunities and to decrease the boundaries between urban streetscape and residential gardens. The soils here are a combination of acidic due to possible contamination by past industrial use and calcareous from the abundance of concrete and post industrial building rubble. The soil is dry due to its location in the city centre and the site receives little shade except from around the southern edges where it is somewhat sheltered by the work buildings. The planting is to be sustainable and hence it is about starting and managing a successional process as opposed to designing specific positions of plants and where they will sit in the landscape which requires a higher level of expenditure to maintain. The site is little used by the general public so large public expenditure cannot be justified; therefore creating an environment with hardy species which thrive in current conditions is more site appropriate. The topography of the site will also be manipulated to form slopes and locally change microclimate and hence create more niches for wildlife to colonise. There will also be a woodchip woodland path which runs across the woodland for public access and ease of management. The site will be managed in accordance with the latest ecological management principles to compliment and affirm the city’s status as one of the greenest in England and pioneers in leading green infrastructure research and aspire to the aims and objectives listed.

HABITAT STRATEGY There are proposals for three types of habitats to be introduced:

Area A - W10 Penunculate Oak – Bracken – Bramble Woodland Area B - U1 Sheep’s Fescue – Common Bent – Sheep’s Sorrel Grassland Area C – Perennial Wildflower Meadow Their descriptions, establishment, maintenance and management are included in the management section.

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Table 1 Habitat Species Matrix

1&8

1&2

6&8

1, 2, 3, 4, 6 & 8

1, 2, 4, 6 & 8

1, 2, 6 & 8

3, 4, 5 & 6

Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne)

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta )

Banded Mining Bee (Andrena gravida )

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba )

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus )

Tawny Owl (Strix aluco )

Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis )

European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus )

Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes )

mammal - feeds on invertebrates mammal - feeds on small mammals and birds, reptiles and invertebrates

mammal - feeds on seeds, fruit and invertebrates

woodland bird - feeds on smaller birds, small mammals and beetles

urban bird - feeds on seeds and invertebrates

urban bird - feeds on invertebrates

bee â&#x20AC;&#x201C; relying on nectar

adult butterfly relying on nectar

APPROX. AREA ON PLAN (mÂ˛)

TARGET HABITATS 1300

1400

FEEDING

ROOSTING

8. Species with special aesthetic quality or interest to man e.g. beauty or tendency to use artificial refuges.

7. Indicator of good water quality.

6. Indicator of good populations of invertebrates.

5. Indicator of good populations of fish/amphibians.

4. Indicator of good populations of small birds.

3. Indicator of good populations of small mammals.

FEEDING ROOSTING

oak and birch woodland with shrub and herbaceous woodland open rank and amenity grassland with undercanopy few perennials

U1 LOWLAND ACIDIC GRASSLAND

W10 DRY ACIDIC WOODLAND

Indictaor species/umbrella species that indicate healthy populations of supporting species and/or good semi-natural environmental conditions.

2. Flagship species which indicates scheme success.

1. Priority/keystone species for nature conservation.

1&8

Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi )

EXAMPLES OF POSSIBLE SPECIES

FEEDING

ROOSTING

acid grassland with higher ratio of perennial wildflowers

650

PERENNIAL WILDFLOWER MEADOW

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Bluebell Wood Anemone

G G

Hyacinthoides non-scripta Anemone nemorosa

Corylus avellana Crataegus sp. Pteridium aquilinum Rubus fruticosus Lonicera periclymenum

30%

7 7 70%

4 4 6 6 7

10 10 5 4

Quercus sp. Betula sp. Tilia europaeus Carpinus betulus

Species Name

Rumex acetosella

Festuca ovina Agrostis capillaris

Species Name

45%

15 55%

20 20

Betony Bird's Foot Trefoil Buttercup, Meadow Foxglove Knapweed, Common

Lady's Bedstraw Ragged Robin Scabious, Devil's-Bit St. John's-Wort, Common Vetch, Tufted

Yarrow Yellow Rattle Scabious, Small Purple Loosetrife

Linseed

Phacelia Wild Carrot

Grasses

C D C S C

S S S C C

D C S S

S S

Phacelia tanacetifolia Daucus carota

Linum usitatissimum

Achillea millefolium Rhinanthus minor Scabiosa columbaria Lythrum salicaria

Galium verum Lychnis flos-cuculi Succisa pratensis Hypericum perforatum Vicia cracca

Stachys officinalis Lotus corniculatus Ranunculus acris Digitalis purpurea Centaurea nigra

Agrimonia procera

Species Name

20%

3 3 80%

6 5 3 4

4 4 3 5 5

5 6 5 6 5

Pale Blue White

Blue

White Pale Yellow Mauve Purple

Yellow Pinkish Red Violet - Blue Yellow Pink/Purple

Purple Red Yellow Yellow Dark Red Red Purple

Yellow

Colour

Blue White

White White

Colour

S = SCATTERED SPECIES

G = GROUNDCOVER SPECIES

C = COMPANION SPECIES

D = DOMINANT SPECIES

KEY

ESTIMATED COSTS - 1 Kg = £163.20 / 5 Kg @ £122.20 per kg = £733.20 from www.bostonseeds.com

Agrimony, Fragrant

Common Name

Area C Perennial Wildflower Meadow

Table 4

Annual and Perennials

Sheep's Sorrel

Sheep’s Fescue Common Bent

D D

Common Name

Area B U1 Lowland Dry Acid Grassland

Table 3

Hazel Hawthorn Bracken Bramble Honeysuckle

C C S S S

Other undercanopy species

Oak Birch Lime Hornbeam

D D C C

Common Name

60 - 90 30 - 100

40 - 70

20 - 100 25 - 50 20 - 60 100 - 150

50 - 80 30 - 90 50 - 80 30 - 90 100 - 150

25 - 50 15 - 40 30 - 100 50 - 150 30 - 80

80 - 150

Height (cms)

20 - 40

25 - 30 50 - 70

Height (cms)

30 - 40 50 - 150

1 - 3m 1 - 3m 100 - 700

Height (cms)

Area A W10 Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland

Table 2

annual biennial

annual

perennial annual perennial perennial

perennial perennial perennial perennial perennial

perennial perennial perennial biennial perennial

perennial

Type

grass

grass grass

Type

perennial bulb perennial

tree tree shrub shrub climber

tree tree tree tree

Type

Flowering Period JAN FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

Annual Cycle

NOV

DEC

SPECIES STRATEGY There are many species associated with dry acidic woodland, grassland and wildflower meadows including those of conservation concern to the UK (BAP priority species) and locally in Sheffield (LBAP) including several species of birds associated with acid grassland habitats such as green woodpecker (Picus viridis) and common urban birds such as pied wagtail (Motacilla alba), house sparrow (Passer domesticus), starling (Sturnus vulgaris) and song thrush (Turdus philomelos). Many of the invertebrates that occur in acid grassland are specialist species, which do not occur in other types of grasslands. There are also several BAP priority species including certain species of bees, wasps, flies, spiders, beetles, butterflies and moths. There are small animals associated with urban green spaces including European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) which may immigrate to the site when the habitats become more established and niches become available. Some examples of how these species interact with the proposed habitats are included in Table 1 Habitat Species Matrix.

CASE STUDIES Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

HABITAT This highly migratory species of butterfly is found in a wide range of habitats throughout Britain making it one of the most common species and one of the most widely recognised due to its vivid colouring.

LIFE CYCLE The adults feed primarily on the nectar sources found in hop (Humulus lupulus), thistles (Cirsium spp. and Carduus spp.), bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.), common nettle (Urtica dioica), small nettle (U. urens) and their related species. These plant species are found in abundance in many of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s habitats, occurring mostly in unmanaged and even in managed sites, giving rise to the Red Admiralâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success.

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In spring the males choose a territory initially close to the south coast, then moves inland to hillsides, gardens, or clearings in woodland and parkland. The females spend most of their time in nettle beds where during the summer they lay their eggs by flitting from leaf to leaf of the food plant and depositing an egg if the leaf is deemed suitable between periods of nectaring and resting. In late summer and early autumn this species become attracted to any flower-rich habitat, especially those where buddleia is present. They also favour orchards where fruit is rotting on the ground. Eggs are laid singly on the upper surface of a leaf of the food plant and several eggs are often laid in the same nettle patch hatching within the week. The lava that emerges then feed on the food plant.

MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS The management implications are to allow for some nettle and buddleia to grow in some less used areas of the site or leave areas of urban common along the green corridor. Cutting should not take place in summer to prevent destruction of the sites where females are laying their eggs.

Tawny Owl (Strix aluco)

HABITAT The Tawny Owl is a lowland bird and in the urban environment is found primarily in deciduous and mixed woodlands, parklands, cemeteries and gardens where mature trees are present and preferring where there is permanent access to water. This owl is non-migratory and highly territorial. They nest typically in a tree hole where it can protect its eggs and young against potential predators.

LIFE CYCLE The Tawny Owl is nocturnal and mainly hunts at night though occasionally they will hunt in daylight when it has young to feed and food is scarce. This species in the urban environment primarily hunts birds but will also feed on other small mammals such as rodents as well as earthworms and beetles. Tawny Owls will pair off with a mate from the age of one year and stay together for life. An established pair's territory is defended year-round with its boundary unchanged from year to year. The young hatch in spring and the parents care for the young birds for two or three months, but from August to November the young will

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leave the nest to find territory of their own. It the young birds cannot find a vacant territory once they have left their parents they will starve.

MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS The primary management implication here is to avoid felling of mature trees if it is known that an established pair has set up territory there. There also needs to be a number of vacant mature trees along the green corridor in which the young birds can create new territory for themselves. The provision and management of over-winter seeding and fruiting vegetation for small rodents and birds is also important so that the owl has a sufficient food source all year round and decrease the likeliness of starvation especially in the young.

MANAGEMENT The management of the site will be carried out in phases which consists of an initial maintenance work programme for years 1 – 5 during establishment, and an annual management work programme which will be carried our routinely for the successional years after that.

Area A - W10 Pedunculate Oak – Bracken – Bramble Woodland HABITAT DESCRIPTION The description given in the NVC community guidelines states that a W10 woodland is a planted mixed deciduous woodland typically found in the lowlands where soils are well-drained and neither very acidic nor very calcareous. The warmer and longer summers give abundance to maples, dogwoods, limes and hornbeams and the low rainfall allows for pedunculate oak & silver birch to dominate the higher canopy. Ash, elm and sycamore can also occur occasionally in the lower canopy along with hazel and hawthorn. The shrub layer contains a combination of bramble and/or bracken and/or honeysuckle, sometimes with bluebell if it is ancient woodland. The conditions where this woodland type is found is similar to the conditions found in the proposal site and therefore should establish well in the situation without extensive and expensive management. The planting will mimic this type of woodland and so well-structured layers of canopy with different species of trees of different heights and densities of foliage will be created with some areas of clearings to support the maximum range of potential species that live on or in the trees, shrubs and on the leaf litter and dead wood that this woodland produces. See table 2 for the plant list for Area A.

ESTABLISHMENT AND INITIAL MAINTENANCE WORK PROGRAMME 1) Remove concrete and topsoil to reveal the nutrient-poor subsoil. Remove weed seed bank from subsoil with 2-3 applications of glyphosate at 3-6 week intervals starting the summer before planting. 2) Relieve soil compaction to improve establishment success by deep cultivation (0.5 – 0.7m). Incorporate composed green waste to improve root penetration and soil oxidation (approx. 25mm depth). 3) Directly plant trees of 1+1 small bare-rooted transplants (40-80cm high) as soon as they arrive on site to prevent roots drying. Plant a first set of trees between mid November and late March whilst trees are domant using notch planting method at 1.25m x 1.25m apart in patches of at least 400m². The larger the size and width of the woodland the more likely it is to survive. Plant a second set two years after for staggered ages. Trees should reach maturity in 5-10 years depending on species.

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4) Protect trees from damage from mammals and people by using translucent polypropylene tree shelters pressed into the ground and supported on a stake. They will also provide a favourable microclimate around the tree increasing early survival rates, accelerating early height growth as a result of CO2 build up and protect the young tree from herbicides. 5) Maintain a 1m weed free circumference around each planted tree to reduce competition for resources for the first 2-3 years. 6) After trees are well established and a woodland microclimate is created, random drill plant shrubs in groups of 1-2-3 in spring when the ground is warm to add to lower canopy. 7) Broadcast sow perennial species in patches after breaking dormancy by chilling seeds in a fridge for 4-12 weeks, sowing in early spring. A patchwork of different local microclimates on site will control which seeds germinate and at what times creating a naturalistic display. Direct drift planting of herbaceous perennials in small clusters if desired in suitable locations to add to groundcover layer.

ANNUAL MANAGEMENT WORK PROGRAMME 

Coppice small areas of trees on a yearly rotational cycle and thin shrubs to reduce shading when establishing young herbaceous ground layer. Retain flowering shrubs such as hawthorn for nectar unless causing too much shade. Trim back honeysuckle which can damage young trees and remove sycamores which can become dominant and outcompete trees of more value to wildlife as its leaf litter tends to suppress the ground flora.



Ensure the canopy is open especially in summer months for butterflies and other invertebrates with some areas of permanent clearings.



Prune trees and shrubs in winter once every 2 years then every 3 years thereafter till maturity. Keep cuttings as shredded bark chips for access paths.



Remove shrubs/branches of trees if they show signs of disease or a threat to public health and safety but never remove an entire tree if possible.



Re-plant some small patches of trees and shrubs as they reach maturity to maintain biodiversity. But do not fell mature trees known to house bird species such as Tawny Owls. Retain deadwood in situ or if threat to public health fell and moved to partial shade and allow to undergo natural decay on site. When selecting trees to fell always chose young, healthy plants as opposed to old, damaged trees which are less replaceable.



Allow colonisation of attractive and/or ecologically important invasive species in available niches that will not out-compete more than two species to allow variation in flowering displays and niches.



Allow a well-structured ecotone between woodland and grassland to form, and ride-side coppicing on either side of path showing a gradual transition from trees through bushes and tall herbs to low vegetation. Cut rides on alternative sides every two years and remove cuttings from site. Only carry out cutting over small fractions of the length of the ride at any one time to avoid the destruction of an entire habitat niche.

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Area B - U1 Sheep’s Fescue – Common Bent – Sheep’s Sorrel Grassland HABITAT DESCRIPTION The description given in the NVC community guidelines states that U1 grasslands are typically found in the lowlands where soils are nutrient-poor, free-draining and overlying acidic rocks or sands and gravels. The grassland is characterised by the short tussocky grasses of sheep’s fescue, common bent and sheep’s sorrel, as well as lichens and small bryophytes. Common annuals associated with this type of grassland include: early hair-grass, shepherd’s cress, spring whitlow-grass, bird’s foot and changing forget-me-not. Associated perennials include: mouse-ear hawkweed, heath bedstraw, cat’s-ear and devil’s-bit with Bird’s-foot trefoil, Lady’s Bedstraw, Spring Sedge and Wild Thyme occurring occasionally in less acidic patches. The soils on the proposal site are similar to the soils that this grassland thrives in and so can accommodate this type of grassland without extensive and expensive management. See table 3 for the plant list for Area B.

Area C – Perennial Wildflower Meadow HABITAT DESCRIPTION This habitat is created based on the U1 Sheep’s Fescue – Common Bent – Sheep’s Sorrel grassland species mix but the grass to wildflower ratio is manipulated to increase the number of flowering plants by a 20:80 ratio. A mixture of flowering annual and perennial species found in U1 grassland from Area B is mixed with native and non-native species found in other acidic grasslands which will maximise biodiversity and ensure a longer flowering seasons, more colour and look more attractive to the public, as well as encouraging more wildlife interest. Pollinators do not mind whether nectar plants are native or non-native if they are a secondary food source and there is evidence to show that some native species have become dependent on/adapted to nonnative plant species as primary nectar or food sources. The species chosen for the seed mix are ones that grow well in acidic soils and are shade tolerant. It is known that pollinators prefer yellow and purple flowers and so a higher ratio of these have been included in the mix. Several species have also been chosen to provide over-wintering seed heads for urban birds. A patchwork of different local microclimates on site will control which seeds germinate and at what times creating a naturalistic display. Sown species can take 2-3 years to look attractive. See table 4 for the plant list for Area C.

ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE INITIAL WORK PROGRAMME 1) Remove concrete and topsoil to reveal the nutrient deficient subsoil. Remove the weed seedbank from subsoil with 2-3 applications of glyphosate at 3-6 week intervals the summer before sowing. 2) Sow seed mixes by direct drift sowing in spring for a naturalistic effect after breaking seed dormancy by chilling in a fridge for 4-12 weeks. Mix seeds with sawdust/sand to bulk it up and obtain an even spread whilst sowing. Regularly stir mix to avoid separation into layers of different seed weights/sizes and divide into subunits to ensure an even application across the site. 3) Broadcast sow at an even distribution of depth <1cm thin in marked areas using 25 kg/ha then rake in seeds and roll with heavy roller to prevent the seeds being blown away by wind and protect from seed eating urban birds with fine mesh. Sow in late summer/early autumn to avoid frosts and droughts associated with spring and winter. 4) To suppress weeds mow grassland annually in late August at most twice a year. Cut to 50-100mm when the weeds reach 100-150mm and remove cuttings from the site to avoid returning the weed seedbank to the soils and forming thick meshes on the groundlayer which is detrimental to invertebrates.

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ANNUAL MANAGEMENT WORK PROGRAMME 

Regularly disturb the grassland by removing invasive weeds by hand and cutting back/suppressing dominate species as required. This helps to prevent loss of diversity and halt succession by reducing competition and enhancing co-existence of plant species. This is usually done by grazing but because of the sites urban location it is more realistic to cut them.



Mow grassland in late August to retain nests for established wildlife e.g. common carder bumblebee and prevent destruction of butterfly populations which lay their eggs in summer. This also allows grass to grow over winter and start with an open sward in spring in which emerging wildflowers can re-establish.

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Vary cutting around the site by cutting only part of the site in any one year to vary its height and structure and to prevent the creation of a uniform sward. Leave grassland uncut at woodland edge and leave ‘islands’ of uncut grass amongst the mown grass, locations of which will change every year. Remove cuttings from site immediately.

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Leave seed heads and dead flower stalks over winter for seed-eating birds and invertebrate shelter and remove these in spring to make room for more desired species to fill the niches.

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Allow controlled succession by shrubs at woodland edge to create an ecotone where there will be the highest levels of biodiversity and wildlife.

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Remove plants if they show signs of disease to avoid spreading to other plants.

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If the grassland becomes dull or is not successful and needs to be diversified then rotovating can be used to create gaps which added seeds can establish. Selection of species needs to fit with soil conditions and pH, microclimate and relative competitiveness of established species.

The site will be subject to creative and dynamic management as dynamic as its ecology by employing highly skilled and knowledgeable professionals to manage the habitats created. They will actively take a role in designed disturbance, controlling colonisation and controlling species performance as well as encouraging and guiding management by involving the community and volunteers. In addition to hands on practical conservation tasks carried out on organised volunteer days there is also scope to encourage collection of species and habitat data to submit to the local council’s Biological Records Centre. The monitoring can be examining the grassland at different seasons, keeping a record of its appearance, heights, growth rates, densities and species composition and abundance to inform creative management decisions. The site will need to be monitored more extensively at its early stages of establishment and less in later years to review the progress of the habitat creation and management against the original aims and objectives of the strategy.

CONCLUSION In summary the creation of a green corridor linking Sunnybank Nature Reserve and Devonshire Green in accordance with Sheffield’s Green and Open Space Strategy 2010 - 2030 (SGOSS) is beneficial not only to wildlife and environmental sustainability but to people and place as well. It is a chance to affirm and capitalise on the city’s image as one of the greenest in England and offer more sustainable green and open spaces of exceptional quality within the city to encourage increased environmental, social and economic benefits through community engagement and education to increase the connection between people and wildlife.

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REFERENCES BOOKS Dunnett, N. and Hitchmough, J., 2004. The Dynamic Landscape. London: Taylor & Francis. Gilbert, O.L., and Anderson, P., 1998. Habitat Creation and Repair. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Kirby, P., 1992. Habitat Management for Invertebrates. Bedfordshire: The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Owen, J., 2010. Wildlife of a Garden: A Thirty-year Study. Peterborough: Royal Horticultural Society.

ARTICLES Yeang, K., and Wells, K., 2010. Biodiversity Targets as the Basis for Green Design. Architectural DesignSpecial Issue: Exuberance: New Virtuosity in Contemporary Architecture [e-journal] 80 (2), Pages 130-133. Available through: Wiley nd Online Library [Accessed 22 March 2012].

DOCUMENTS CABE, 2006. Making contracts work for wildlife: how to encourage biodiversity in urban parks.[online] Available at: th <http://www.lbp.org.uk/downloads/Publications/Management/making-contracts-work-for-wildlife.pdf> [Accessed 25 March 2012]. DEFRA, 2012. The Natural Choice: Securing the value of nature. [online]Available at: <http://www.officialth documents.gov.uk/document/cm80/8082/8082.asp> [Accessed 24 March 2012]. Forestry Commission England, 2008. BPG Note 3. Best Practical Guidance for Land Regeneration. [online] Available at: <http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/LRU_BPG03.pdf/$FILE/LRU_BPG03.pdf > [Accessed 29th March 2012]. Forestry Commission England, 2008. National Vegetation Classification. [online] Available at: th <http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/ewgs-on004-NVC-types.pdf/$FILE/ewgs-on004-NVC-types.pdf > [Accessed 26 March 2012]. Natural Shropshire, 2012. Lowland Dry Acid Grassland. [online] Available at: th <http://www.naturalshropshire.org.uk/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=mXWbZm-zJgg%3D&tabid=39&mid=581> [Accessed 26 March 2012]. Peak District National Park Authority, 2011. Lowland Dry Acid Grassland. [online] Peak District National Park Authority. Available at: <http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/120165/lowland-dry-acidth grassland.pdf> [Accessed 15 March 2012]. Sheffield City Council, 2010. Sheffieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Green and Open Space Strategy 2010-2030. [online] Available at: <https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/out--about/parks-woodlands--countryside/green-and-open-space-strategy/the-sheffieldrd standard.html> [Accessed 23 March 2012]. Sheffield City Council, 2010. Shire Brook Valley Management Plan 2010 -2014. [online] Available at: <https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/out--about/parks-woodlands--countryside/trees--woodlands/woodland-sites-andprojects/south-east-sheffield-woodlands-project/shire-brook-local-nature/woodland-management-plan.html> [Accessed th 25 March 2012] Sheffield City Council, 2009. Norfolk Heritage Park Management Plan 2009 - 2015. [online] Available at: <https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/out--about/parks-woodlands--countryside/parks/a-z-city-district--local--parks/norfolkth heritage-park/management-plan.html> [Accessed 25 March 2012].

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South East England Biodiversity Forum, 2008. Priority Habitat Definition Statement Lowland Dry Acid Grassland v1.2. [online] SEEBF. Available at: th <http://strategy.sebiodiversity.org.uk/data/files/Hab_Def/lowland_dry_acid_grassland_ver_1_2.pdf> [Accessed 17 March 2012].

WEBSITES BostonSEEDS, 2012. Wildflower Seed Mixtures 100% [online] Available at: th <http://www.bostonseeds.com/products/2/Wildflowers/47/Wildflower-Seed-Mixtures-100/> [Accessed 15 March 2012]. Buglife: The Invertebrate Conservation Trust. Lowland Dry Acid Grassland [online] Available at: <http://www.buglife.org.uk/conservation/adviceonmanagingbaphabitats/lowlanddryacidgrassland> [Accessed 27th March 2012]. Butterfly Conservation, 2012. Red Admiral [online] Available at: <http://www.butterflyth conservation.org/Butterfly/32/Butterfly.html?ButterflyId=43> [Accessed 28 March 2012]. Forestry Commission Scotland, 2012. Acidic Dry Woodland [online] Available at: < th http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/forestry.nsf/byunique/infd-83ckxb> [Accessed 17 March 2012]. Forestry Commission Scotland, 2012. BAP woodland priority habitats, woodland site types & NVC equivalents th [online] Available at: < http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-83EL43> [Accessed 15 March 2012]. Sheffield City Council, 2004. 4.4 Devonshire Quarter [online] Available at: <http://sccplugins.sheffield.gov.uk/urban_design/quarters_devonshire_character.htm> [Accessed 22nd March 2012]. Sheffield City Council, 2010. 2010 Sheffield Local Biodiversity Action Plan. [online] Available at: <https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/out--about/parks-woodlands--countryside/ecology-service/biodiversity-actionplans/2010-sheffield-local-biodiversity-action-plan.html> [Accessed 22nd March 2012]. Sheffield City Council, 2011. Environment and Sustainability. [online] Available at: <https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/out-about/parks-woodlands--countryside/green-and-open-space-strategy/environment-and-sustainability.html> [Accessed 23rd March 2012]. The Owl Pages, 2006. Eurasian Tawny Owl â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Strix aluco [online] Available at: th

<http://www.owlpages.com/owls.php?genus=Strix&species=aluco> [Accessed 28 March 2012]. Treborth Botanic Garden, 2012. The NVC Garden [online] Available at: th <http://www.treborthbotanicgarden.org/nvc_garden.htm> [Accessed 26 March 2012]. UK Butterflies, 2012. Red Admiral [online] Available at: <http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php? th species=atalanta> [Accessed 28 March 2012].

TV PROGRAMMES nd

BBC, 2012. Bees, Butterflies and Blooms [TV broadcast] 22 Feb 2012. Available at: <http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b013pw23/episodes/guide> [Accessed 22nd Feb 2012].

OTHER University of Sheffield, 2012. Ross Cameron Lecture Slides. Sheffield: University of Sheffield.

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