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Industrial Sites and Moth Diversity in the Tees Estuary
Robert Woods
The Tees Estuary is an industrial landscape dominated by heavy engineering, petrochemicals and steel, but is also immediately adjacent to important areas which are designated for nature conservation
Reproduced from Ordnance Survey 1:50 000 Scale Raster with permission of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office,© Crown Copyright 2012, INCA
Legend:
Sites of Special Scientific Interest
Local Wildlife Sites
• Substrate - large areas were reclaimed using dredged material and blast furnace slag (a by-product of steel manufacture)
• Habitat mosaic. Not a single entity – different grassland types with scrub and wetland
Features of the Tees Estuary Sites
• Most of this habitat in the estuary occurs on operational sites – not on ‘disused’ land
Habitat Diversity
Weathered slag supports a diverse species-rich grassland. Defined as OMH, a national priority habitat. Typically shows variety in sward height and frequent bare patches.
Diverse habitat = diverse invertebrate fauna; e.g. >400 moth species recorded by INCA on Tees sites - many of conservation interest. Seven species (key habitat indicators) are listed as priority species for the Tees Valley. Informs the planning process.
Important moth species from Phragmites reedbeds on industrial sites
Obscure Wainscot Mythimna obsoleta
(Hübn.)
Silky Wainscot Chilodes maritima
(Tausch.)
Fen Wainscot Arenostola phragmitidis
(Hübn.)
Southern Wainscot Mythimna straminea
(Treit.)
Illustration of the importance of some sites to moths
Important Saltmarsh Species from the Industrial Brinefields of the Tees Estuary
Dog’s Tooth Lacanobia suasa (D.&S.)
Saltern Ear Amphipoea fucosa (Tutt)
Crescent Striped Apamea oblonga (Haw.)
Nationally Notable Moth Species from Dune Grassland
Lyme Grass Chortodes elymi (Tr.)
Shore Wainscot Mythimna littoralis (Curtis)
Opportunities to Conserve Invertebrates on Industrial sites
• INCA works with industrial landowners to manage their land for nature conservation where it is possible to do this (Site BAPs)
• Ideally in long-term management without development pressure for at least 5 years to be useful
• Allows pockets of land to become ‘stepping stones’ in landscape level conservation
Habitat Creation for Brownfield Invertebrates
• Habitat creation based on exposing low nutrient substrate (sandy dredgings)
• Natural succession allowed to take place from surrounding seed bank
• Digger used to create varied topography and aspect
© Trevor and Dilys Pendleton
• Tees sites have a very varied habitat which supports diverse moth populations
Summary
• A number of industrial organisations are keen to support the conservation of important brownfield (open mosaic) habitat
• Seven moth species are listed as ‘priority species’ for the Tees Valley. This is part of a ‘priority species’ list which informs the sub-regional planning process.
robert.woods@inca.uk.com
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