is short for 'biological diversity’. It describes the whole variety of life on Earth and includes all the world’s animals, plants and the natural systems in which they live.
represent the UK’s best sites for wildlife and geology. Over half, by area, are internationally important and many play an important part in local culture and economies. Notification as a SSSI is primarily a legal mechanism to protect sites that are of particular conservation interest because of the wildlife they support, or because of the geological features that are found there.
are for both people and wildlife. They are intended to be places that can be enjoyed and where people can have contact with nature. They can also be places where people can study and learn about nature.
were identified and declared by the Essex Wildlife Trust following a phase one-habitat survey of the District in 1991 (revised 1996 and 1998). They represent sites, which are important at a County level. They are listed in EFDC Local Plan and have planning policy to protect them. Across the district we currently have 181 LoWS, this may change with a review in 2009.
is a species that occurs within the range of 16 to 100 modern 10km grid squares across the UK.
lists species whose continued existence is threatened. Rdb species are classified into different categories of perceived risk. Each Rdb usually deals with a specific group of animals or plants (eg. reptiles, insects, mosses). They are now being published in many different countries.
is woodland that is known to have existed before 1600 and Secondary Woodland is woodland that has developed on land which at sometime has not been wooded.
is the process of cutting a tree near ground level and allowing it to regenerate from the stool. Trees, which are regularly coppiced, also have a distinctive shape - a large stool close to ground level with a great many shoots.
is a place where a plant or animal lives.
is a tree that has been cut once or has had regular cutting at a height above which grazing animals can reach normally between 2 and 4 metres. Pollards are characterised by its distinctive shape - a large trunk (or bole) from which commonly radiate numerous smaller branches.
are of interest biologically, culturally or aesthetically because of its age, size or condition. As a rule, a tree that is either over 250 years old or has a girth of over 3 metres at breast height can be described as a veteran. However, other factors must be considered such as the location and past management of the tree.
is grassland that is species rich and has not had chemical fertilisers, herbicides or pesticides applied. It is our oldest undisturbed grassland which has seen a loss of 99% in Essex since 1945.
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