Natural England SSSI assessment - Elstead & Royal Commons
Natural England SSSI unit information
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Thursley, Hankley & Frensham Commons - Unit 21 Elstead Common
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[LINK to Map]
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Staff member responsible for SSSI unit:
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Graham Steven
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Unit ID:
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1023730
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Unit area:
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64 hectares
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Main habitat:
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Dwarf shrub heath - lowland
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Condition:
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Unfavourable recovering
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Latest assessment date:
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21 September 2011
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Condition assessment comment:
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The unit is a mix of acid grassland and wet and dry heath. Some very diverse wet areas at the Westernmost edge of the site near the bridleway with strong populations of marsh clubmoss and other rare mosses and liverworts (Pohlia camptotrachela & Fossombronia faveolata). There are also good stands of mature Calluna and some secondary woodland to the East of the unit.
A fire in spring of April 2011 has been colonised almost exclusively by Molinia and is in need of grazing as soon as possible, other management such as mowing or turf stripping would not be possible in this area due to its wet nature. A small enclosure may be possible next year but the unit remains in recovering condition on the basis that a fencing proposal is to be submitted in the near future.
Wet pools near to pudmore pond are diverse, supporting Rhynchospora alba and potomogetan spp as well as many other acquatic and wet species. A project by Plantlife to create further scrapes will result in greater opportunity for rare plant colonisation - monitoring to be continued to assess.
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SSSI unit information
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Thursley, Hankley & Frensham Commons - Unit 23 Elstead & Royal Commons
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| Staff member responsible for SSSI unit: |
Graham Steven |
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| Unit ID: |
1008650 |
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| Unit area: |
85 hectares |
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| Main habitat: |
Dwarf shrub heath - lowland |
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| Condition: |
Unfavourable recovering |
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| Latest assessment date: |
21 September 2011 |
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| Condition assessment comment: |
This unit is a complex mix of wet and dry heath with acid grassland and an area of wood pasture with some veteran trees, as well as broadleaved woodland. A HLS agreement is in place covering all these aspects. All habitats would benefit from extensive grazing, particularly areas which are currently mown and are reducing in diversity and areas of overgrown Molinia. Royal common in particular has an area of grass dominance due to undergrazing. A range of capital works have been carried out by SWT benefiting the site, including pond restoration and scrub/tree clearance. Further funding should be added in future years to support this program. |
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