eccelsall woods management plan.pdf - University of Sheffield

Many other natural history groups use the site regularly for study and monitoring,
for example, the Sorby Natural History Group and Sheffield Bird Study Group. The
woodland has long been used for research and study by local schools, and
universities, particularly Sheffield Hallam, who have gathered considerable
information on the ecological, social and historic interest of the area.
1.3 Environmental Value
1.3.1 Physical
The following sub-sections are mostly taken from Avison and Rotherham (1998).
(a) Hydrology
Drainage is generally in an east-south-east direction, with the Limb Brook
forming a permanent stream feature in Wood 3. Figure 1.12 indicates
streams, and drainage ditches within the site, which all ultimately feed into the
River Sheaf.
Changes in the local water balance have occurred as a result of changes in
surrounding land-use, through urbanisation in the last 100 years, as well as
increased drainage within the woodland during the eighteenth and nineteenth
centuries. It is thought that the reduction in water input that has occurred is unlikely
to have had a significant impact upon the woodland ecology along the Limb Brook
corridor (Griffith 1996).
However, away from public rights of way, etc some of the internal drains have been
allowed to backfill and the woodland may be becoming increasingly re-wetted in
limited places. Several drains, particularly those near the woodland's boundaries
are maintained on a regular basis to prevent flooding of adjoining properties, and
indeed several were repaired and their capacity increased in 1999 to reduce
flooding along Abbeydale Road.
Data provided by the Environment Agency (1999), who monitor the Limb Brook on
a regular basis, indicates that short-lived pollution incidents occur during periods of
heavy rainfall, probably from storm water overflows discharging into the Limb Brook
and from field run-off and other farming origins. Ochreous deposits are found in the
Limb Brook and its feeder streams. These emanate from the surrounding bedrock
and the former Dore Colliery. The Coal Authority is currently assessing the level of
pollution associated with this and formulating approaches to reducing it
The water quality in other streams within the wood is thought to be generally good.
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