Biological Recording
The Essex Field Club, founded in 1880 as the Epping Forest and County of Essex Naturalists' Field
Club, has an outstanding record publishing material relating to the Forest. The references cited
throughout this book from the pages of the Essex Naturalist are testament to the continued interest
and commitment to the better understanding of the Forest by the Field Club.
However, much more work needs to be done and the results of such work published. Below I have
listed ten possible research topics which would repay investigation. It should be emphasised that the
scope for research into the flora and fauna of the Forest is virtually endless.
1. Many invertebrate groups are under-recorded, although at least 4,000 species of insects, of an
estimated 21,000 in Britain are known from the Forest. The Hymenoptera (Bees and Wasps), in
particular the sawflies (Symphyta) and some parasitic groups (Parasitica) such as the Ichneumons,
require investigation.
2. Much work needs to be undertaken on the invertebrate fauna of rot-holes in the old pollard trees.
Different tree species with different types of rot-holes (i.e. moist or dry) will have their own distinctive
faunas. The Flies (Diptera), Beetles (Coleoptera) and other invertebrates which live in this increasingly
rare micro-habitat in Britain need to be thoroughly investigated.
3. The southern grasslands and grass-heaths (i.e. Wanstead and Leyton Flats) appear to have been
largely neglected by entomologists. From the numbers of nationally rare species of bee and wasp
discovered here in the last few years, it is clearly an area where further biological recording should
be undertaken.
4. The southern grasslands are currently the only location in the Forest where there is sustained
grazing pressure, the habits of the grazing cattle (i.e. food preferences, preferred grazing or drinking
areas) need to be recorded and the effects on the flora and fauna monitored. The Field Studies Council
have recently published a book (Skidmore, 1991) on the insects of the cow-dung community. A study
urgently needs to be undertaken on the varied invertebrate fauna of cow-dung. Wanstead Flats has
been grazed for centuries; an investigation of cow-dung here could be most revealing.
5. An inventory should be made of the surviving heathland flora and fauna of the Forest. In particular
certain key species should be mapped - the remaining stands of heather (however small) and species
such as Mat Grass, Heath Grass and Heath Rush. These species may help to define the past extent of
heathland on the Forest.
6. The status of some vertebrates requires investigation. Very little work has been done on Bats in
recent years in the Forest. The Dormouse, once common, has not been recorded for many years. Does
it still survive?
7. Studies of individual species and genera (and their associated fauna), such as the Aspen (Populus
tremula), Service tree (Sorbus torminalis) or the Bog-mosses (Sphagnum spp.) would provide
much-needed information. Epping Forest has a good population of the Service tree. It is rather an
uncommon tree nationally and one that is typical of ancient woodland. Its distribution and associated
fauna need to be assessed. Similarly, the Bog-mosses are now very rare in Essex, due to loss of habitat.
8. Dr. David Corke has suggested that a study urgently needs to be undertaken on the distribution
and status of the Brown Hairstreak butterfly in Epping Forest. This butterfly has become extinct over
much of Eastern England and it is the most notable species of butterfly to have been recorded in the
Forest in recent years. If it still persists, its population should be monitored and steps taken to ensure
its continued existence.
9. A project monitoring some of the recently re-established lichen species on individual trees needs
to be established.
10. A malaise trapping survey at certain key sites to sample invertebrates would provide much
needed information on some of the Forest's invertebrate groups.
References
Emmet, A. M. (1979) The Lepidoptera - A Historical Perspective in Corke. D. (ed.) The Wildlife of Epping Forest Essex Naturalist (NS) No. 4 p. 33.
Falk, S. J. (1991) A Review of the Scarce and Threatened Flies of Great Britain Part 1. Research and Survey in Nature Conservation No. 39 (N.C.C.)
Falk, S. J. (1991) A Review of the Scarce and Threatened Bees, Wasps and Ants of Great Britain. Research and Survey in Nature Conservation
No. 35 (N.C.C.).
Fry. R. and Lonsdale. D. (1991) Habitat Conservation for Insects - a neglected green issue. Lowland Heathland p. 133-142. The Amateur
Entomologist. Vol. 21.
McLean, I. F. G. (1990) What Future for out Entomological Heritage. Br. J. Ent Nat. Hist. 3 p. 35-53.
Ranson. C. (1978) Nature Conservation in Epping Forest in Corke. D. (ed.) Epping Forest - the natural aspect? Essex Naturalist (N.S.) No. 2
p. 58-79.
Rateliffe, D. A. (1977) A Nature Conservation Review. CUP.
Skidmore, P. (1991) Insects of the British Cow-dung Community (Field Studies Council).
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