Grassland Monitoring – What We’ve Been Doing
What have we been doing at Shotley Grove?
This summer our volunteers have been helping us with grassland monitoring along the riverside at Shotley Grove to assess the condition of the grassland glades and what species inhabit them.
This work is part of the overall Shotley Grove project where we aim to improve biodiversity by restoring and creating wetland and grassland habitats, as well as community access and involvement such as providing guided walks and encouraging photography with fixed point photography posts so that everyone can enjoy these special habitats.
We will also create opportunities for school visits so that young children can learn about the importance of wetland, grassland and river management.
What is involved in monitoring?
We use random quadrant samples and record what plant species are present, as well as the height of the plants and percentages of different vegetation (such as scrub, woody plants, invasives, dead vegetation, bracken, flowering plants, grasses and bare ground).
We then use this information to decide if the area needs management to improve the grassland, such as removing encroaching woody vegetation. If no management was undertaken the area would turn to scrub and we would lose the diversity of grassland which in turn would limit habitat for different species.
Why is it important?
Grassland monitoring is crucial for a wide array of environmental and social reasons. These dynamic ecosystems provide vital services and support numerous plant and animal species, including many endangered ones. Monitoring allows us to understand their health, track changes, and implement effective management strategies.
What else have we done and what else will we be doing at Shotley Grove?
The work we are carrying out this year follows a number of improvements we have made in previous years. Since 2017 we have built a fish pass to aid fish migration, built a boardwalk and carried out path maintenance and woodland thinning to make the site easier for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy.
We have gained funding from the Community Foundation North Eastto maintain and improve the existing wetland habitats at Shotley Grove, and this work will be carried out during this autumn/winter months by our volunteers and the local community.
We would also like to extend the area of wetland, install interpretation signs and fixed-point photography posts, as well as building a new boardwalk to improve access.
The Community Foundation North East matches generous people with important community causes. Every year, the Foundation award grants to hundreds of small charities in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, and across North East England, through funds set up by a range of donors. The Newcastle-based charity, the UK’s biggest Community Foundation, has built an endowment of over £100 million to build a portfolio of funds that tackles the vital issues in our community.
