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Introduction |
Woodlands and
Trees |
Open Lands |
Wetlands |
Buffer Lands |
 Open Lands
Epping Forest contains many open lands including 80
hectares of scrub, 125 hectares of acidic grassland and 46 hectares of
heathland, forming a rich tapestry of habitats.
The acidic grassland forms the bulk of the Forest's
open land and is important for a
range of invertebrates and birds which need the open aspect including the
Yellow Meadow Ants on which the Green Woodpecker feeds. Heathland, both wet
and dry is important for the Forest's reptile population.
Scrub is a dynamic and constantly
changing habitat, with a mixture of fast maturing shrubs and bushes, providing a valuable edge habitat
in and around woodland areas. Scrub provides shelter and food for many
species including woodland mammals such as fox and woodmouse, and birds such
as nightingale, willow warbler and
yellowhammer.
 In the past open lands would have been
extensively grazed due to commoners exercising out their right to graze
cattle.
This grazing kept the balance of grassland, heathland and scrub in
check, as different parts were grazed at different times of the year and at
different intensities. Scrub grows very rapidly,
and without management will quickly take over grassland and heathland.
During the 20th centaury,
the numbers of cattle being grazed within the forest steadily declined, and
the BSE crisis of 1996 resulted in the break of this ancient management
practice. This means that modern management
techniques must be used to conserve this important habitat.
Scrub can be removed by coppicing or
cutting to keep a habitat open. Mowing is used at the front edge of scrub
bordering rides, but both cutting and mowing can not totally replace the
benefit of grazing, which encourages a wider mix of flowers and animals. In
2002, a herd Longhorn cattle were successfully reintroduced into the forest,
overseen by a herdsman.
Over the 20 year history of Project, we have helped the
Epping Forest Centenary Trust maintain open lands by managing and removing
scrub. Examples include our work in 2007 (Project 818) at Furse Ground,
where we helped to return this area to heathland and in 2003 (Project 814)
where we helped maintain the grasslands at Wanstead Flats.
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