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Woodland Project Phase 2 Survey Report
Seedlings
Minor Categories
Seedlings of several other species were also found on the project site,
although in much lower densities than those previously mentioned. Foxglove seedlings were
common, particularly in Square 3 (Figures 11 and 9C).
Mature Foxglove plants were present in this area providing a local source of seeds in this
region. Foxglove seedlings were also found in lower numbers in Square 1 (Figure 11), but
were absent elsewhere. |

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Figure
11. Seedling Density of less common species |
Small indeterminate seedlings which may have been
either grass or sedge seedlings were fairly common in Squares 1 and 2 (Figures 11 & 9 A & B). Numerous sedge plants have
become established in Area 3, while only one grass plant (Yorkshire Fog) has been observed
over the whole project site. It is therefore likely that these seedlings were sedges
rather than grasses.They were rare or absent in Squares 3 and 4 (Figure 11). Seedlings
of both Mountain Ash (Rowan) and Ash occurred on the project site. Mature Mountain Ash
trees were present over much of the site to provide a source of seed, while mature Ash
trees were absent. Lacking a local source of seed on the Woodland Project site, very few
Ash seedlings were found.
The location of the greatest numbers of Mountain Ash seedlings did not
correspond with the highest density of the mature trees (Figures 11 and 12). Again, birds
are involved in the seed dispersal as they eat the berries. The greatest number of
seedlings were found in Squares 2 and 4 (Figure 11), both of which are adjacent to the
large concentration of mature trees in Square 3 (Figure 12). |

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Figure 12. Density and Distribution of Mature Mountain Ash |
Small numbers of other seedlings such as Bramble, Ivy,
Honeysuckle and Gorse also occurred on the project site, together with ferns such as
Bracken and immature specimens of Hard Fern. |
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