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group encountered comprises the scavengers,
e.g. the earthworms and fly larvae.
Thus, all the time there is a continual
utilization of material originally made by
green plants. Depletion of essential basic
substances would result if it were not for
organisms replacing them through decay. The
fungi were classic examples of this group
found. The areas studied were not found to be
especially rich in fungi in numbers or species
at the times visited. The main finds
identified are listed below:—
Grifola frondosa - base of oak, Oct.,site 2
Pluteus cervinus — old rotting tree stump,
all year, site 2
Lycoperdon perlatum — Oct., in site 2
Xylosphaera polymorpha - April & Oct., site 2
Lactarius spp — Oct., site 1
Phallus impudicus - various developmental
stages, site 1
Hypholoma fasciculare — old pine stump, site 1
Hypoxylon fragiforme - dead beech branches
site 4
5. The October Storm
In the early hours of 16th October, 1987,
strong winds swept much of southern England,
and Weald Country Park was one of many areas
suffering extensive damage. A wide range of
species was effected and as most were still
heavily in leaf, many mature trees, especially
those shallow rooted, such as the beech, were
uprooted. In the study areas the canopy of
both woods was opened in a number of areas as