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            GST Voles day at Maulden Heath 8/11/2016 TL0638
COUNTY: BEDFORDSHIRE SITE NAME: MAULDEN HEATH
Status: Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) notified under Section 28 of the Wildlife and
Countryside Act 1981
Local Planning Authorities:Mid Bedfordshire District Council
Bedfordshire County Council
National Grid Reference: TL 070386
TL 068384
Ordnance Survey Sheet 1:50,000: 153 1:10,000: TI 03 NE
Date Notified (Under 1949 Act): Date of Last Revision:
Date Notified (Under 1981 Act): 1986 Date of Last Revision:
Area: 7.56 ha 18.68 ac
Other information: This site is owned by the Forestry Commission.
Description and Reasons for Notification
Maulden Heath is an example of lowland acidic grassland, situated on a gentle south-facing slope of the Lower Greensand ridge near Clophill, about 11 miles south of Bedford. The site consists of two separate areas supporting characteristic plant communities with variations which
reflect their distinctive topographies. The grassland represents a habitat type uncommon nationally and restricted in its distribution in Bedfordshire where it is now one of the few remaining examples. The eastern meadow has an undulating relief with two broad ridges running north-south. The ridges
support a short herb-rich plant community characterised by acidic grassland species such as wavy hairgrass Deschampsia flexuosa, common bent-grass Agrostis capillaris, creeping soft-grass Holcus mollis, early hair-grass Aria praecox and sheep’s sorrel Rumex acetosella which is locally dominant. The abundant herbs include cat’s ear Hypochoeris radicata and birdsfoot Ornithopus perpusillus together with less frequent species such as heath bedstraw Galium saxatile, lesser stitchwort Stellaria graminea and field woodrush Luzula campestris. Of particular interest is the moss layer which is often a dominant element of the short grassland. The
common species Dicranium scoparium and Polytrichum juniperum are characteristic of acidic situations. The depressions between each ridge support a more luxuriant sward with species of a neutral grassland type such as cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata, Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus and common knapweed Centaurea nigra. Both broom Cytisus scoparius and gorse Ulex europaeus occur as scattered scrub within the meadow.The western meadow consists of a small valley whose steep sides support a similar short acidic grassland community with moss carpets. There is some variation and additional species including brown bent-grass Agrostis canina, harebell Campanula rotundifolia and the hawkweed Hieracium sabaudum. Another moss is also found, Pseudoscleropodium purum growing in areas of slightly longer more neutral grassland. Scrub is scattered within the site and parts of the western valley slope have invasive bracken Pteridium
aquilinum where the grassland is not cut for hay as elsewhere.
   

Taken on: November 8, 2016

Tags:

TL0638

Maulden Heath

Greensand Trust Volunteers

Greensand Ridge

Lumix FZ1000

Bonfires

Fungi

heathland management.

Heathland restoration

Heathland

Maulden « less

Sets appears in: • GST 2016 • Greensand Ridge more » • Maulden Woods & Heaths • Greensand Voles « less

Groups appears in: • Greensand Voles

Camera: Panasonic DMC-FZ1000, f/3.2, 1/500 sec, 15.8mm, ISO 250 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Panasonic DMC-FZ1000
Aperture:	f/3.2
Exposure Time:	0.002 sec (1/500)
Focal Length:	15.8mm
ISO:	250
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Center-weighted average
White Balance:	Manual
Light Source:	Fine Weather
Gain Control:	High gain up
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Ver.2.2
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