Introduction to London Biodiversity Audit page 2

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London & UK habitats
Woodland
Open Landscapes, Ancient Trees
Acid Grassland
Chalk Grassland
Grassland, Meadow, Pasture
Heathland
Grazing Marsh
Marshland
Reedbed
Tidal Thames
Canals
Ponds, Lakes, Reservoirs
Churchyards & Cemeteries
Railway Linesides
Farmland

The London Biodiversity Audit
(London Biodiversity Action Plan Volume 1)
Framework: Habitat and Land Use Classification for London
Relationship between London habitat and land use classification and habitat types identified in Biodiversity: the UK Steering Group Report

Framework: Habitat and Land Use Classification for London

The London Biodiversity Partnership identified twenty habitat or land use types for London, as listed in the Box below. These were considered to encompass the majority of land in London where biodiversity could be maintained or enhanced.

Audit Habitat	Description
Woodland	all woodland and scrub habitats: ancient, secondary, ‘recent’, wet
Open Landscapes w. Ancient/Old Trees	deer parks, old parkland, wood pasture, other areas with unimproved grassland and scattered old/ancient trees
Hedgerows	all boundary features with trees and shrubs
Acid Grassland	unimproved and semi-improved grassland on nutrient-poor, free-draining soils (e.g. sands and gravels)
Chalk Grassland	unimproved and semi-improved grassland on chalk
Grasslands, Meadows and Pasture	unimproved and semi-improved grassland other than acid grassland, chalk grassland or wet grassland, i.e. neutral grassland
Heathland	sites where heather occurs naturally
Grazing Marsh & Floodplain Grassland	sites where the habitat is dependent upon a combination of periodic wetting or inundation and grazing or cutting
Marshland	all wet terrestrial habitats e.g. fens, bogs, mires, swamps
Reedbed	sites where common reed is dominant.
Rivers and Streams	all free-flowing watercourses above the tidal limit
The Tidal Thames	all areas of the river Thames and its tributaries below the tidal limit
Canals	the London canal network
Ponds, Lakes and Reservoirs	all standing open water
Private Gardens	-
Parks, Amenity Grasslands & City Squares	all formally managed amenity open space (including sports pitches, school grounds and landscaped areas around institutional buildings)
Railway Linesides	all vegetated or natural surfaces within railside boundary fencing
Churchyards and Cemeteries	all burial grounds
Urban Wastelands	semi-natural vegetation which has developed on an imported or artificial substrate resulting from previous development or disturbance
Farmland	arable fields and agricultural leys

This Framework was used as a basis for identifying habitats for the London Biodiversity Audit.

Relationship between London habitat and land use classification and habitat types identified in Biodiversity: the UK Steering Group Report*

*as revised in Tranche 2 Action Plans: Terrestrial and Freshwater Habitats.

London Classification	Broad Habitat Type	UK Priority Habitat in London
Woodland	Broadleaved, mixed and yew woodland	Wet woodland, beech woodland
Open Landscapes with Ancient/Old Trees	Lowland wood pastures and parkland	Lowland wood pastures and parkland
Hedgerows	Boundary and linear features	Ancient and/or species rich hedgerows
Acid Grassland	Acid grassland	Lowland dry acid grassland
Chalk Grassland	Calcareous grassland	Lowland calcareous grassland
Grasslands, Meadows and Pasture	Neutral grassland	Lowland hay meadow
Heathland	Dwarf shrub heath	Lowland heathland
Grazing Marsh and Floodplain Grassland	Grazing marsh	Grazing marsh
Marshland	Fens, marsh and swamp	Fens
Reedbed	Fens, marsh and swamp	Reedbeds
Rivers and Streams	Rivers and streams	Chalk rivers
The Tidal Thames	Rivers and streams	Estuaries
Canals	Standing open water and canals	-
Ponds, Lakes and Reservoirs	Standing open water and canals	Eutrophic standing waters
Private Gardens	Built up areas and gardens	-
Parks, Amenity Grasslands and City Squares	Built up areas and gardens, improved grasslands	-
Railway Linesides	-	-
Churchyards and Cemeteries	Built up areas and gardens	-
Farmland	Arable and horticulture, improved grasslands	Cereal field margins

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London Biodiversity Partnership c/o Strategy Directorate, GLA, A409 Romney House, Marsham St, London SW1P 3PY
© London Biodiversity Partnership 2001 email

The London Biodiversity Audit (London Biodiversity Action Plan Volume 1)

Framework: Habitat and Land Use Classification for London

Relationship between London habitat and land use classification and habitat types identified in Biodiversity: the UK Steering Group Report*

The London Biodiversity Audit
(London Biodiversity Action Plan Volume 1)