Hilary has been involved, with MSc and PhD students at Bangor University, in studying the ecohydrology of dune slack vegetation and the impacts of ground water nutrients on species composition.

This work has involved the establishment of a network of permanent quadrats linked to dip wells across Newborough Warren; monitoring commenced in 2010 and is ongoing.

It is hoped the work will lead to a better understanding of the hydrological controls on community composition and distribution and also highlight the sensitivity of dune slack vegetation to climate change and ground water enrichment of the slacks.

A number of publications have already arisen from this work.

Curreli, A., Wallace, H., Freeman, C., Hollingham, M., Stratford, C., Johnson, H and Jones, L. (2013). Eco-hydrological requirements of dune slack vegetation and the implications of climate change. Science of the Total Environment, 443, 910-919.

Robins, N.S., Pye, K. and Wallace, H. (2013). Dynamic coastal dune spit: the impact of morphological change on dune slacks at Whiteford Burrows, South Wales, UK. Journal of Coastal Conservation. Volume 17: 473-482

Jennifer Rhymes, Hilary Wallace, Nathalie Fenner, Laurence Jones (2014). Evidence for sensitivity of dune wetlands to groundwater nutrients. Science of the Total Environment 490:106-113.

J. Rhymes , L. Jones , H. Wallace , T.G. Jones , C. Dunn , N. Fenner. (2016) Small changes in water levels and groundwater nutrients alter nitrogen and carbon processing in dune slack soils. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 99 , 28-35

 

 

Flooded dune slacks at Newborough Warren                                                                                                                                                         Permanent monitoriing quadrats

We have been part of a team led by the Open University researching the hydrological requirements of the species of floodplain meadows and the impact of different flooding and cutting regimes on species distribution and hence community development. This work has involved long term monitoring of permanent quadrats, interpretation of hydrological data and the reclassification of some of the floodplain meadow communities.

A large number of reports have arisen from this work, the key ones are:

Gowing, D.J.G, Lawson, C.S., Youngs, E.G., Barber, K.R., Rodwell, J.S., Prosser, M.V., Wallace, H.L., Mountford, J.O. and Spoor, G. (2002). The water regime requirements and response to hydrological change of grassland plant communities. DEFRA-commissioned project BD1310. Final report to DEFRA.

Wallace, H.L. and Prosser, M.V. (2007). Prediction of vegetation change at West Sedgemoor following changes in hydrological management. Report to RSPB, Natural England and the Environment Agency.

Wallace, H. and Prosser, M.V. (2017). A review of the National Vegetation Classification for the Calthion group of plant communities in England and Wales. Natural England Joint Publication JP021 

                                                                                        A new subcommunity of MG8 grassland on the Somerset Levels

With Bangor University, and funded by Countryside Council for Wales, a trial was established on the Llyn Peninsula to reduce the dominance of gorse following inappropriate heathland management; different techniques of control were used and the response of the vegetation followed for a number of years.

Jones, D.L., Wallace, H.L., Frogbrook, Z and Pritchard, T. (2007). Restoration of lowland heathland: Management of Ulex gallii on the Llyn Peninsular as part of the Cadw’r Lliw yn Llyn Project. CCW Science Report No. 791.

                                                                                                         Dry H8 heathland recovering from mowing on the Llyn Penninsula

In the uplands of North Wales we were involved in monitoring a grazing reduction trial in an extensive area of Nardus grassland, which had formerly supported dry heathland vegetation. Managed by the RSPB we established, and monitored, permanent plots over a 10 year period. The trial included control plots as well as total grazing exclusion areas. The recent photos of the site indicate that probably 15 years, rather than 10 years, in the absence of any grazing, is necessary to return the U5 grassland to a high cover of bilberry and heather referable to the Vaccinium heath (H18).

The relative impact of burning versus mowing on species composition of upland heath and mire communities was also studied with the RSPB at their Lake Vyrnwy reserve.

                                                                                                         Recovery of Vaccinium myrtillus as upland H18 heathland following 20 years of exclosure from grazing of acidic U5 grassland

Through contacts at the Open University Hilary has provided botanical expertise in a number of overseas projects linked to the understanding of the hydrological requirements of grassland species.

Spain

We assisted with botanical survey in the dehsa community of western Spain; the study has been published in the scientific literature.

Siberia

Part of the field team on an INTERACT funded project based at Mukhrino Field station looking at Hydrological niches on a Siberian floodplain.

Ireland

Assisting a PhD student in the vegetation recording of the Turloughs in Ireland.