Techniques for assessing shingle communities - University of Sussex

2.3 Seaford Bay, Martello Road to Cliff Gardens TV 4859 9845
Date of visit: 04 August 2003
Surveyors: TY.
Site Description: Area 1.61ha, 5% bare shingle. This survey site comprised three sections
landward of the road along the sea front. They support a low cropped sward of grassland
species but were surveyed to ascertain the presence of any coastal species given the close
proximity to the beach and therefore the strong maritime influence.
Management history: The exact history of the site is unknown. Land levels are significantly
lower than adjacent land. It is likely that the site was seeded with grassland species.
Damage/disturbance: Owned and managed by Lewes District Council as a recreational area,
the area is regularly mown throughout the summer. Heavily used by dog walkers and subject
to pedestrian traffic.
Habitat description: Grassland community with 39 species. The maritime influence is
apparent from the presence of Atriplex (frequent) and Beta (occasional).
Notable species: B. vulgaris ssp. maritima.
Shingle habitat score: 0.0
Community type:
a) Shingle community: No fit
b) Broad shingle community: No fit
c) NVC: Grassland community
d) Habitats Directive Annex I: No fit
Table 11. Vascular plant list and abundance for survey site 2.3.
Species Common Name
Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass D
Bellis perennis Common Daisy A
Holcus lanatus Yorkshire-fog A
Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass A
Taraxacum agg. Dandelions A
Trifolium repens White Clover A
Veronica agrestis Green Field-speedwell A
Atriplex prostrata Spear-leaved Orache F
Calystegia sepium Hedge Bindweed F
Centaurea nigra Common Knapweed F
Picris echioides Bristly Oxtongue F
Potentilla reptans Creeping Cinquefoil F
Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock F
Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort F
Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell F
Anagallis arvensis Scarlet Pimpernel O
Abundance
(DAFOR scale)
Techniques for assessing shingle communities 28