This, the second survey, conducted in May after
clearance had been completed, documents the changes in vegetation on the site since the
initial survey. A third survey will be carried out in one years time.
In the initial survey, four regions were identified within the Woodland Project site
which were markedly different from each other in terms of rhododendron cover. (For a more
complete description of the project site please see the Site
Description and Plan of the area.)
Area 1 was in a region containing many tall slender Silver Birch trees, with a very
shallow soil covered in flints. The Rhododendron in this area grew in a more upright
manner and was taller than in the other regions. Area 2 was characterised by very dense
impenetrable Rhododendron, with very low light levels, while Area 4 was intermediate
between the two . Area 3 covered a region cleared nearly 3 years ago in a pilot project .
These regions were sampled separately in the initial survey to allow comparisons to be
made between the regeneration in these different areas. The four representative areas
chosen have again been sampled separately in this survey.