Riverside Park

Ten Practical Outdoor Activities for Understanding Biodiversity and Conservation

1. Mini-Habitat Biodiversity Survey

Principle Focused On: The distribution and extent of biodiversity across different habitat types. 

Activity: Choose two contrasting nearby habitats, such as a rough meadow (like the Livonia Field within the Upper Byes) and an area of parkland with mown grass (like parts of The Byes). Spend a set amount of time (e.g., 30 minutes in each) attempting to record all visible plant species and insects in a small, defined area, and compare the observed species counts. The sources show sites like Sid Meadow are highly diverse (185 species) while Gilchrist Field is currently less diverse (98 species).

2. Pollinator and Flora Interdependence Observation

Principle Focused On: The relationship between specific plant species and dependent insects. 

Activity: Locate known food sources like dandelion (a source of nectar/pollen for overwintering queen bees), umbellifer flowers, or brambles. Observe and record the various insect species visiting these plants, such as Buff-tailed Bumblebees, Speckled Wood butterflies, or hoverflies like the ‘Batman’ or ‘Hornet’ Hoverfly. This helps confirm the importance of common flora for insect populations.

3. Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) Mapping and Removal Simulation

Principle Focused On: The challenge and necessity of managing invasive species. 

Activity: Identify plants such as Himalayan Balsam or Three Cornered Leek which are present and outcompeting native species like ramsons. Walk along a river stretch (like the path near Fortescue) and map how far these invasive plants extend, simulating the work of volunteer groups like the Sid Bashers who conduct "Balsam Bashing" to limit their spread.

4. River Disturbance and Barrier Assessment

Principle Focused On: The impact of human activity and physical structures on aquatic life. 

Activity: Walk a section of the River Sid, paying attention to signs of disturbance (e.g., high public use near The Byes). Research potential man-made barriers, such as the School Weir, to understand how structures over six feet high prevent fish like salmon and sea trout from reaching upstream spawning grounds.

5. Old-Growth Habitat Feature Identification in Orchards

Principle Focused On: The ecological value of old fruit trees and standing dead wood. 

Activity: Visit the Community Orchard and specifically examine older fruit trees (such as traditional West Country apple varieties). Look for natural habitat features crucial for biodiversity, including hollow trunks, rot holes, split bark, and the presence of lichen and fungi (like Lumpy Bracket fungus).

6. Hedgerow Scrub Structural Assessment

Principle Focused On: The significant role of hedgerow scrub habitat in the cluster’s biodiversity network. 

Activity: Locate a dense hedgerow, like those noted in the Sid Meadow or Livonia Field. Document the variety of shrubs (e.g., Elder, Hawthorn, Bramble), noting how many different plant families contribute to the structure. This helps visualise why 80% of all recorded hedgerow scrub species in the wider area are found within this cluster.

7. Observing Grassland Management Outcomes

Principle Focused On: Traditional land management practices (hay meadow conversion) for promoting wildflower diversity. 

Activity: Find an area managed as a hay meadow (like Sid Meadow or the Community Orchard). Look for indicator species that thrive under this late-cut management, such as Yellow Rattle (which confirms the 'ancient' origins of a meadow). Assess how this management style creates a rich and dense flora.

8. Woodland Niche Specialisation Study

Principle Focused On: Habitat requirements for non-flowering plants. 

Activity: Explore the shady areas, particularly in or near Riverside Wood, or the shaded high banks of the Upper Byes footpath. Focus on identifying non-flowering plants like ferns (e.g., Common Polypody) and mosses, understanding that these habitats are distinct from the open grassland areas.

9. Garden Escape and Cultivar Influence Audit

Principle Focused On: The impact of proximity to housing ("Cultivated and disturbed land") on local flora. 

Activity: Walk along the western border of the park (where housing is situated), particularly in The Byes or Upper Byes. Identify and record any introduced species, garden "escapes," or cultivars (such as daffodils or Three cornered garlic). This demonstrates how the presence of nearby housing contributes to the high count (77 species) associated with cultivation.

10. Species Tracking in Specific Environments (Avian/Aquatic)

Principle Focused On: Correlating species presence with micro-habitat features. 

Activity: Visit a river location known for specific wildlife, such as the riverbanks near Fortescue, which is noted as a good place to see the dipper. Observe the environment and note the features present (e.g., exposed gravel beds, faster flow) that make it a favourable location for those species.