Ashdown Forest

 

Ashdown Forest is located in the High Weald of East Sussex in south-east England, where valley mires, heath and damp woodland have developed on soils derived from Hastings Sands (Lower Cretaceous). Once a royal hunting forest, reduced grazing has resulted in the accelerated development of woodland and encroachment of bracken over former heath. Nevertheless, some fine examples of heathland habitats remain, with humid or wet heath predominating, dominated by Heather Calluna vulgaris, Bell Heather Erica cinerea and Cross-leaved Heath E. tetralix in the dampest conditions. Where drier heaths occur they are dominated by heather in association with Gorse Ulex europaeus and Dwarf Gorse U. minor. Streamsides and mires add further variety, with Sphagnum mosses, Cottongrass Eriophorum sp., Bog Asphodel Narthecium ossifragum and Round-leaved Sundew Drosera rotundifolia all characteristic plants. The woodlands are also varied, with Birch Betula sp. typically establishing first over heath, followed by Oak Quercus robur, Willow Salix sp. and Pine Pinus sp. in places, eventually forming dense and shaded areas with sparse ground flora. Breeding birds of heath, scrub and woodland are associated with the varied mosaic of their respective habitats, distributed over the higher slopes and valleys of the High Weald.

Qualifying species

For individual species accounts visit the Species Accounts section