Hawksmere Springs Nature Reserve - a wildlife oasis
The high woodland structure will be re-coppiced gradually thereby preventing invasive species
colonising at the expense of the typical woodland ground flora. In addition the ancient hedgerow
will be re-laid over a period of time thereby enhancing its structural diversity. The overall aim of
the management plan is to gradually reintroduce traditional management practices until "flagship"
species, like Sulphur Clover, have expanded. It is hoped that this management will result in improving
the various micro-habitats, which could vastly improve the overall biological interest of the reserve.
Conclusion
This isolated nature reserve has suffered with the cessation of management and failure to act swiftly
could lead to local extinction of woodland and grassland species. However traditional management
practices are being re-established. The close monitoring of the vegetation communities with the
re-establishment of grazing will be an excellent opportunity to learn about the management of
grassland communities, their associated fauna and flora and the use of the National Vegetation
Classification (NVC) as a 'conservation tool1.
References
CROFT, A. & JEFFERSON, R.G. (Eds) (1999) The Lowland Grassland Management Handbook 2nd edition.
English Nature/The Wildlife Trust.
RODWELL. J. S. (Ed) (1992) British Plant Communities Volume 3: Grasslands and montane communities.
Cambridge University Press.
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Essex Naturalist (New Series) 19 (2002)