Knapp and Knowle

If habitats are the "homes" and management is the "maintenance," then biodiversity is the measure of who is actually moving in. Despite its urban-fringe location, the Knapp and Knowle cluster is a powerhouse of species diversity in Sidmouth.

The Numbers: A Diversity Snapshot

The following data shows the percentage of species found in this cluster compared to the entire 50-site Sidmouth Nature project:

Species Group % of Total Survey Species Found Here Key Highlights

Amphibians 100.0% Both Common Frogs and Palmate Newts are present.

Trees & Shrubs 64.4% A vast collection including Regency "Champion Trees".

Pteridophytes (Ferns) 60.0% Thriving in the damp, shaded Bickwell hedgerows.

Odonata (Dragonflies) 55.6% Driven by the cluster's three distinct pond areas.

Flora (Wildflowers) 47.2% Dominated by "semi-improved" grassland species.

Grassland: The Engine of Abundance

While statistics show the variety of species, they don't always capture the abundance. If you visit The Knapp in July, you won't just see a few flowers; you will see a sea of Oxeye Daisy, Common Knapweed, Wild Carrot, and Meadow Buttercup.

This abundance of "umbellifer" flora (like Wild Carrot and Hogweed) acts as a massive outdoor restaurant for specialised beetles and flies (Coleoptera and Diptera).

The "Hidden" Residents

Some of the most important residents are the hardest to see:

• The Night Shift: While only one mammal was officially recorded during afternoon walks, the cluster is a known hub for Greater and Lesser Horseshoe Bats.

• Vertical Gardens: In Sidmouth Cemetery, the Victorian headstones act as "rock gardens" for rare lichens and the Silky Wall Feather Moss.

• Soil Architects: Throughout the reserves, Yellow Meadow Ants build prominent hills that provide structure to the soil and a food source for birds.