This report was commissioned by Sunderland City Council to assess the ecological and educational resources available at the Tunstall Hills site.

James Thompson ENVM45

1. Introduction –

Aims of the report

Scope of the report

The report will review the baseline ecological conditions at the site and go on to assess the potential for conservation and educational use of the site. The report will provide input for a feasibility study into a Council proposal to build and operate an environmental education centre at the Tunstall Hills site.

2. Methodology –

2.1 Phase 1

Initially a brief desk study was undertaken to assess the location and significance of the site utilising documentation and aerial photography. The entire site was then investigated using the standard phase 1 mapping techniques. The vegetation type was determined through analysis of species composition and then a colour coded map was produced using a standard 1:10,000 OS map (see appendix 1).

2.2 Phase 2

Further investigation was carried out on the woodland area to the south of the site using the standard procedures for National Vegetation Classification. The phase 1 survey had already identified two distinct areas of the woodland were identified, a semi-natural Ash woodland and a fringing area of Hawthorn scrub land. Within these areas 5 quadrates of 20m×20m were taken to sample the canopy cover, and within each quadrate an additional 5m×5m quadrate was taken to sample the ground flora. Within each quadrate, plant species were identified and the percentage area covered by each species was estimated. The results for each site (see appendix 2) were then analysed using the computer programme TABLEFIT. In addition these results were double-checked by using a dichotomous key provided in the NVC handbook (NCC, 1989a)

2.3 Survey effort

The surveys were conducted by 4 MSc. students from the University of Sunderland’s Environmental Management programme. The surveys were carried out on the 18th and 19th of March 2003 during fine weather conditions. The total time spend in the field was around 8 hrs with that time being more or less equally distributed between the phase 1 and the phase 2 surveys. The entire site was surveyed on foot, starting at the carpark and taking a circular route up to Maiden Pap, past the woodland, down to the abandoned quarry and then back to the carpark.

2.4 Quality control

Voucher specimens were taken and their identification was double-checked by Dr. Andrew Cherrill of the Ecology Centre at the University of Sunderland.

2.5 Limits to survey

The surveys were carried out by inexperienced surveyors, for most surveyors this was their first time. In addition the survey was limited by the time of year, which was outside the season of many plants. Hence many species which were identified as being present by the literature [e.g. Hoary Ragwort, St. Johns Wort (English Nature, 1995)] were not found to be present by the survey.

3. Site Description –

O. S. Grid Reference – NZ 392545

Area – 15.8 ha.

Ownership – City of Sunderland Council

Much of the site is designated as a SSSI (see attached map) this protection is due to the underlying Magnesian limestone geology. The limestone forms an important sub stratum, which provides a nationally rare grassland habitat CG8. Whilst some of this grassland remains in a semi-natural state, large areas of the site have been improved to use for recreational activities.

The site is predominantly calcareous grassland, much of which has been historically grazed as demonstrated by the defunct hedgerows and tuffocked structure of the grasses. In addition there is evidence of some historic limestone quarrying activity which has produced areas of exposed limestone. To the south of Rock Farm lies a large area of Ash dominated woodland, fringed by dense Hawthorn scrub.

4. Habitat types –

4.1 Improved Grassland

This habitat has been sown and maintained by mowing to be used as amenity grassland. The typical species composition is dominated by Perennial Rye Grass (Lolium perrene). The Rye Grass grows rapidly and out competes virtually all other species for light, which generally results in very low species richness.

4.2 Semi-improved Grassland

Large areas of the site have in the past been used for grazing livestock and potentially there may have been some agriculture and hence input of fertilisers. These areas also include grassland for which there was some doubt as to the degree to which they may have been improvement as specified by the NCC (Blake 1989). Whilst grasses such as Cocks’ Foot (Dactylis glomerata) tend to dominate, the species composition is reasonably diverse often including herbs such as Cows’ Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris) and Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa). This grassland provides ...