Burnham Beeches Living Map

Introduction

Burnham Beeches is owned by The city of London Corporation and covers hundreds of acres of beautiful countryside. This area is classed as a natural nature reserve and also a special area of conservation. This is because it is home to lots of threatened and endangered species.

This living map will show you 5 different sites around Burnham Beeches.

Introduction

Site 1

Car park behind the cafe looking onto the common

• Car Park & Café​

• The common had to be re-grassed due to overuse

• City of London Authority use profits from investments to fund this area​

• Money is made through a parking charge on site​

• Some revenue through filming on site however strict rules are applied​

Cafe which helps fund this nature reserve

Site 2

Stacked piles of deadwood to create a habitat

2

• Egypt Woods
• Stream is called The Nile
• Quarry is used nearby to path this area so are made with gravel
• If trees fall and are out the way they keep it as deadwood insects live in the rotten wood
• some wood is stacked in designed piles to create habitats for reptiles and other creatures
• These areas are assessed to make sure there are no risks with the deadwood
• However deadwood is easier for fires and old branches could fall and injure someone

The stream also known as The Nile

Site 3

Pollard within a fenced area for protection

• Pollards-Pollarding is a pruning system involving the removal of the upper branches of a tree, which promotes the growth of a dense head of foliage and branches
• Many of the trees are hollow but are still very much alive
• Many areas were used to hide army vehicles during the war so a lot of work was done to fix the damage done
• Some issues caused by to many people visiting and climbing these trees so many areas are fenced off to protect the trees

3

Another pollard that is not fenced

Site 4

4

Both of these pictures are of the juniper Heathland and show how open this area is and how well it is maintained

• Juniper Heathland-Wet Heathland Mire
• Very open and free area
• Heathland in one of the rarest habitats in Britain and is characterized by heather, gorse and fine grasses
• Many pollards which are hollow
• Without management heathland quickly returns to scrub and young woodland and the habitat value declines
• Horses and Cows are let free around this area, fences and invisible fences are used to keep them in a certain area
• This is to keep the grass and plants from overgrowing and means no need for constant maintenance
• However to many dog visits can affect this area due to the amount of feces and urine

Site 5

The bog surrounded by young woodlands

5

• The Bog
• Wooden paths put in to navigate this area
• Constant maintenance on these paths will need done to insure they are safe for public use
• Area is very wet and adequate footwear would be needed
• Fungi present and some are very rare and removing them could threaten them further
• If removed they cannot produce spores which puts the next generation at risk

More closeup view of the bog and part of the wooden pathway