various ways and for separate or combined taxonomic groups. Taxa can also be related
to other databases listing e.g. Essex Red Data species, scoring systems to evaluate Species
Quality at sites, saproxylic (deadwood) species or any other factors of significance such
as habitat structure, management and so on.
The results are of very great interest at a county level. One example map is shown in
Plate 1 that summarises invertebrate hotspots at a 1km level for taxa of nature conservation
significance, using all the data we currently have available. Hotspots clearly exist for
well known sites on the coast; the Stour Estuary; in the Epping Forest and Lee Valley
region; the Dagnam Park, South Weald, Navestock, Weald Park and Curtismill Green
area; the Stort Valley and Hatfield Forest; Hylands Park; the Danbury Ridge; Halstead
and Sible Hedingham area. However enormously important areas stand out in south
Essex near the Thames and around Colchester, and in particular these are made up of
brownfield sites. Even various other 'hotspots' in the county are frequently brownfield
sites in the form of old mineral extraction sites.
Despite a relative paucity of our data for the Kent side of the river in the MapMate
database, our maps can also provide an indication that a similar invertebrate situation
exists on the Kent side of the Thames and along the Medway. This whole situation is
currently the subject of a major project by Buglife 'All of a Buzz in the Thames Gateway'
supported by: English Nature, the Environment Agency, Greater London Authority and
Kent Wildlife Trust. The project is carrying out research into the importance of brownfield
(previously developed) land in supporting invertebrate populations, in order to secure
the future of the nationally important invertebrate fauna of the Thames Gateway. 'All of
a Buzz...' aims to influence the regeneration agenda and existing policy initiatives such
as the provision of greenspace within the region.
Despite good coverage for most groups so far included, this and other maps show the
relative paucity of the wider Essex countryside for invertebrate biodiversity. This is
perhaps not surprising, since much of the modern agricultural landscape is drastically
affected by modern farming practices, and even ancient woods in the county are in the
main surrounded by an arable desert. With enough evidence perhaps we can start to
change things at a landscape and planning level.
Huge thanks are due to the Essex Spider Group and various workers who have supplied
us with records and/or specimens to enable these maps, as well as to County Recorders
Peter Hammond and Peter Kirby for identification of much beetle and bug & planthopper
material, the results of which are included in the sample map. More information on the
Buglife Buzz project can be found at www.buglife.org.uk/html/current_projects.htm
Essex Field Club Newsletter No. 49, January 2006
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