Chigwell Row Wood LNR - Heathland Restoration

Chigwell Row Wood Local Nature Reserve is in fact more than just a wood as a walk around the reserve reveals. Whilst the bulk of the site is the obviously “old wood” classified as semi-natural ancient woodland with its wonderful veteran pollards, there are many other interesting habitats too. There are areas of “young wood” or secondary woodland which have established in the open glades and rides of the wood or spread out onto the recreation ground. There are also rarer areas of acid grassland and perhaps most significantly heathland.  

The heathland area on the reserve covers an area of about a hectare and forms part of its own Local Wildlife Site (Ep86). Until very recently this whole area was extremely limited and was suffering badly from encroachment of bramble and invasive aspen. The high nutrient levels and a general lack of management meant the plant diversity was limited.

Phase One Restoration Works 2005

In 2005, a major restoration project generously funded by the Essex Biodiversity Project began. This saw the clearance of bramble, the felling of numerous trees and the scraping of the top soil. Whilst all the elements played there part is was the removal of top soil that was key. This has two effects. Firstly, it stirs up the dormant seed bank and secondly it reduces the nutrient load within the soil.

In early 2006, following the works the area still looked extremely disturbed. However, within a season fresh grass hand begun to emerge and the signs of  recovery were underway. The “mini miracle” has occurred from 2007 onwards as the many seeds which had laid dormant in the ground for 50 years plus burst into life. Heather, dwarf gorse and common lousewort have all begun to appear all over the heath within the areas that were scraped.

Phase Two  - Restoration Works 2009.

In March 2009, encouraged by the great success of works from the 2005, further and even more extensive scrapping of the heath was undertaken. This work was again supported by the Essex Biodiversity Project and saw the area of the heath increase to nearly a hectare. Over the next couple of years we should discover how successful this work has been.

The plants come back.

At the end of 2009 after four years of restoration works the heath now boasts a good variety of plants characterised by grasses including Common Bent (Agrostis capillaris), Red Fescue (Festuca rubra) and Tufted Hair-grass (Deschampsia cespitosa).  Other notable species include Heather (Calluna vulgaris), Heath Wood-rush (Luzula multiflora) and Tormentil (Potentilla erecta). Perhaps, the two most significant species on the heath are the rare Dwarf Gorse (Ulex minor) known from only two other sites in Essex and Common Lousewort (Pedicularis vulgaris). This heath now boasts the strongest population of this rare plant in Essex. 

The future.

A robust restoration programme is now in place that will see annual work parties on the heath. This will involve cutting the vegetation and keeping back the brambles and young tree seedlings. All this work will help maintain low soil fertility and reduce competition upon the more delicate heath land plants. 

A massive thank you must go out to all our volunteers who have helped on this project over the last few years. All their hard work and dedication has really paid off and helped to secure the sites future. The icing on the cake was the designation as Local Wildlife Site in late 2009.  

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