FIELD NOTES
NOVEMBER 2002 continued....
Our New Website
Our new website is now online at
www.hnhs.org
Websites are now a vital component of the publicity machine of any business or voluntary organisation and can be used to publicise the activities of the Society and attract new membership. The rapid setting up and launch of the HNHS website is due to the enthusiasm and expertise of our Webmaster Garry Neesam, who has managed somehow to fit it in alongside his day job.
A special thanks Garry for all his efforts.
I hope that those of you that are lucky enough to be on the internet will pay the website a visit and let us have your comments so that we can continually improve the site.
HNHS Prize for Best Student Project.
The HNHS has generously sponsored a £50 Prize plus a Year's membership of the Society for the best final year project or dissertation by an under-graduate student at the University of Hertfordshire on a topic covered by the Society's aims. In 2001 this prize was won by Lucy Scott (BSc (Hons) Environmental Studies)) for her field-based project comparing the insect visitors to native hogweed to the alien giant hogweed.
In 2002, the Prize has been awarded to Candice Luper (BSc (Hons) Environmental Studies) for her 10,000 word project with the title 'An Evaluation of the Fir and Pond Woods Local Nature Reserve'.
The Abstract of the study is reproduced here:
"Wildlife evaluation plays an important role in the selection and management of nature reserves. This report is an evaluation of the Fir and Pond Woods Local Nature Reserve, a 67 acre site close to Potters Bar, owned by the London Borough of Enfield and managed by the HMWT.
The main aim of the project has been to compile existing data, assess the condition of the habitats, identify the species interest and determine the history of the site. Desk-based work was supplemented by a Phase 1 Habitat Survey, soil pH investigations, and estimation of tree age.
Although relatively small, the reserve contains a diverse array of habitats. These include ancient semi-natural deciduous woodland, unimproved acid grassland, lake, reedbed, marsh, plantation and willow carr. This diversity arises as a result of variations of topography, hydrology, geology and traditional management.
The site supports a diversity of flora and fauna, some of which are rare or protected. The dragonfly assemblage is exceptional. Some deterioration in habitat quality has occurred over the past 25 years as a result of neglect, however, with active management in the form of grazing, reed removal, rhododendron clearance, the site could be restored to its former condition.
The site provides a relict of the Enfield Chase, a large forest that was in existence when the first Saxons settled in the area. Evidence of the site's antiquity can be found in the network of old banks, coppiced and pollarded trees and indicator species assemblages. The site is of high local
importance."
Dr. Stuart Warrington
<< Page Two | Page Four >>
|
