SITES

	Greatham, Teesside, UK
	West Site, Billingham, UK
Habitats on West Site Insects Other Animals Biodiversity Management
	Grimsby, Humberside, UK
	Calais, France
	Huelva, Spain
	Scarlino, Italy
	Teluk Kalung, Malaysia
	Umbogintwini, South Africa
	Lake Charles, USA
	Burnie, Tasmania

Index by Category

Appendices

References

West Site, Billingham, UK

Habitats on West Site

The dominant grasses in both areas (i) and (ii) are Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus) and false oat grass (Arrhenatherum elatius) with some Timothy grass (Phleum pratense). Flowering plants present on the site are typically those of rough grassland of Teesside's industrial areas, especially those in urban situations with ragwort (Senecio jacobaea), creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense) and willowherbs being particularly common (Lawrence 1994).

Sub-habitat (i)
The eastern grassland section, area (i) is the least floral rich habitat being predominantly grass with some yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare). Creeping thistle is virtually absent from this sub-habitat that is in sharp contrast to the adjacent habitat (ii) where thistles are dominant.

When this area was first landscaped in 1995 habitat (i), especially the slope extending down to New Road was sown with an annual wildflower mix consisting mainly of field poppy (Papaver rhoeas), cornflower (Centaurea cyanus), corn marigold (Chrysanthemum segetum), corn chamomile (Anthemis arvensis) and corncockle (Agrostemma githago). This produced a very colourful display in its first flowering season and a few plants re-appeared the following year. However, since the ground was not regularly disturbed none of these annuals have persisted and the area has now a virtual total covering of grass. This area has been re-sown with a wildflower mixture and now supports a much more diverse flora.

Along the borders of the track which separates sub-habitat (i) from sub-habitat (ii) there are areas of shorter grass together with lower growing plants such as red clover (Trifolium pratense), white clover (T. repens), selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) and some patches of lady's bedstraw (Galium verum), although the latter is not common on the site.

Sub-habitat (ii)
The dominant grass in this area is Yorkshire fog and false oat grass but there is also a very large amount of creeping thistle. The thistle is now being controlled to prevent spreading. Many more species of flowering plants are present in this sub-habitat than there are in (i). These include:

spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare)
common cat's-ear (Hypochaeris radicata)
yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata)
chicory (Cichorium intybus) - this is not common in sub-habitat (ii), but there are a number of plants clustered in one area and a few scattered throughout the rest of the area.
white campion (Silene alba)
mayweed (Matricaria sp.)
curled dock (Rumex crispus)
broad-leaved dock (R. obtusifolius)
common ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)
whorled mint (Mentha x verticillata)
perennial sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis)

Sub-habitat (iii)
This is an area of planted shrubs to the south of the site adjacent to, and near the Tioxide and Ineos Acrylics production sites’ fenceline. Willow (Salix viminalis), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and elder (Sambucus nigra) occur together with bramble (Rubus fruticosus), stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) and weld (Reseda luteola). Red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), Buddleja and North American juneberry (Amelanchier sp.) have also been planted.

Sub-habitat (iv)
This is another area of shrubs almost certainly planted. Willow (Salix sp), oak
(Quercus sp.) ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and holly (Ilex aquifolium) are present together with hawthorn, Buddleja, rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) and the South American Escallonia ruba var macrantha. The non-shrub flora of this area is dominated by rosebay willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium), spear thistle, stinging nettle and some weld and hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium).

Sub-habitat (v)
This is a small pond (sometimes referred to as Turley's Pond) that was constructed at the same time as the rest of the landscaping of the site. The water appears to be clean and clear, there are no excessive growths of algae and no surface dust contamination.

The pond has been planted with submerged, emergent and marginal aquatics. As with many small ponds of this type the submerged vegetation is dominated by Canadian pondweed (Elodea canadensis), floating pondweed (Potamogeton sp.) are also present. White water-lily (Nymphaea alba) occurs but this is possibly a cultivated variety which has been introduced. Emergent and marginal vegetation includes amphibious bistort (Persicaria amphibia), yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus), reed mace (Typha latifolia), branched bur-reed (Sparganium erectum), bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) and lesser spearwort (Ranunculus flammula). In the damp, but not waterlogged areas around the pond great hairy willowherb (Epilobium parviflorum) is common.