Recording & Support -
Recording Projects
Ongoing Recording Projects
These Recording Projects are ongoing pleas for records and provide opportunities to learn more and get involved in practical recording through the groups who are organising them. They are projects who have a broad or no fixed timescale, so records can be added at any time.- Ancient Yew trees of Kent
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
Ancient Yew Group
Many examples of our most ancient and veteran yews (500 years plus) can be found in our churchyards. Kent has some fine specimens as old as 2000 years in places such as Ulcombe, Thurnham, Boxley, Eastling and Molash, to name but a few. In fact the county is a European strong hold for ancient yew trees. If left to grow as nature intended, the yew is capable of reaching a great age. The yew at Fortingall in Perthshire (Scotland) is estimated to be anything between 3000 and 5000 years old, making the yew (Taxus baccata) the oldest living thing in Britain and Europe; indeed, Ancient Monuments in their own right and a significant part of our heritage. In the absence of planting information the age of a yew has been estimated on a girth-to-age basis – the larger the girth the older the yew. It is, though, acknowledged that age is difficult to estimate with any accuracy. Here in Kent we are especially blessed with an abundance of these mysterious trees. May I therefore on behalf of the Ancient Yew Group appeal to any interested persons who have or know of significant yews to contact us with details of the yew’s location and accessibility. If you are interested in becoming involved in the mapping and measuring of yew tree in your local area please let us know.
To find out more about this project, please contactRuth Childs
:Email:
ruth.childs@kmbrc.org.ukWebsite:
www.ancient-yew.org - Kent Veteran tree Survey
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
KMBRC
Veteran or ancient trees are very important for wildlife which they support. The UK has very important populations of veteran trees many of which have great historical importance in the local area e.g. The Royal Oak of Charles II. ?It is not possible to protect these ancient trees unless we know where to find and have some basic information on how important they are. There are a number of ways in which you can help:
- Become a tree warden link
- Let the KMBRC know about trees you think are important in your local area.
- Record the trees in your area (for help with this please contact the KMBRC)
To find out more about this project, please contactRuth Childs
:Email:
ruth.childs@kmbrc.org.uk - Adders in Decline
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
Kent Reptile and Amphibian Group
In recent years, concern has been expressed that the Adder (Vipera berus) may have experienced serious decline in Kent. Indeed such concerns now appear to be nationwide, and FrogLife have recently been commissioned by English Nature to explore the issue. The results of FrogLife's review will be published later in 2004.
Concerns over the Adder's status have convinced the Kent Reptile and Amphibian Group (KRAG) that the snake should be highlighted in Kent's Red Data Book (Brady, 1999). Interestingly, the Adder is referenced in the Kent Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) as a 'Standard Bearer / Quality Indicator Species' for heathland & mire and lowland acid grassland. The largest expanses of such habitats in Kent are represented by Hothfield Common (heathland) and Knole and Old Parks (acid grasslands). However, Adders have not been confirmed at any of these sites (although recent observations at Hothfield have stimulated renewed survey effort). Unfortunately, the Adder is not mentioned in BAP habitats from which the animal is most commonly recorded in Kent. Over recent years KRAG have been collating Adder records from many disparate sources. However, to date there are only 142 Adder observations (from a total of over 6000 KRAG records). KRAG believes that although the animal is under-recorded, population declines are real.
In order to address these concerns, KRAG are launching a new initiative, namely 'Adders in Decline'. This project will aim to promote the pro-active conservation of Adders by:
- Recording the distribution of Adder in Kent - in particular, through identifying important habitat components within each site (e.g hibernacula).
- Monitoring important populations
- Raising awareness and publicising apparent declines - this includes running reptile survey training events, publishing habitat management leaflets, etc.
To find out more about this project, please contactDr Lee Brady
:Email:
kragrecorder@btopenworld.comAddress:
KRAG Recording Officer c/o DICE, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NSWebsite:
www.kentarg.org/adders_in_decline.htm - Great Crested Newt Monitoring Project
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
Kent Reptile and Amphibian Group
Despite the fact that the great crested newt receives legal protection, unless the geographical range and the density of populations around the county are known there is little that can be done to safeguard the habitat of these animals. The project aims to improve our understanding of great crested newts by surveying ponds. Collecting data concerning population sizes at ponds can help to improve our understanding of how newts from different ponds interact as a larger community. These larger communities are known as metapopulations and, when identified, source ponds (those where newts breed successfully and disperse) and sink ponds (those where newts exist but do not breed in large numbers) can be highlighted and relative emphasis can be given to their value for great crested newts. The increased understanding of great crested newt surveying techniques, legislation and habitat management that is gained by Kent Pond Wardens will help them manage ponds more sympathetically for amphibians.
To find out more about this project, please contactthe KRAG Secretary
:Email:
infor@kentarg.orgWebsite:
www.kentarg.org/great_crested_newt_monitoring_project.htm
