Introduction

The story of the Open University's 'Breathing Places – make space for nature' project continues here...
We have just completed our second visit to the site, which is the Open University's regional centre at Foxcombe Hall in Oxfordshire. The aim of the project is to improve the site and make more space for native wildlife. On our first 'reconnaissance' visit in May we identified several problems with the site, which is a mixture of formal gardens and old oak woodland. Obvious problems were the spread of invasive non-native species such as sycamore, Rhododendron ponticum, and small balsam – these all act to crowd out less vigorous native species. However before we can take any positive action, such as clearance of these species, we need to do a full site survey to determine what exactly we have on the site and come up with an appropriate land management plan (go toAlan's blog to find out more about this). This is an important part of the process. You cannot simply wade in with wholesale clearance without first assessing the impact this might have. Sometimes addressing what appears to be one problem simply creates another, mass removal of stands of invasive sycamore for example will certainly open up the canopy and allow under story plants to grow, however it could also result in growth of a single dominant species such as bracken or bramble, rather than a good mix of species.
To find out what we intend to do, watch Janet's introduction.

We had a number of tasks to carry out as part of the site survey:

• Tom and I were to dig a soil pit to assess the condition and quality of the ground, and also test the Ph of the soil to find out if it is acidic or alkaline. This is important to know, if for example you intend to re-seed an area with wild flower seed-mix it's no use putting down a chalk (alkali) seed-mix on acidic soil – the plants simply won't do well at all (go to Tom's blog and Janet's blog).
• Patricia was to carry out a survey of the aquatic life in the man-made lake (go to Patricia's blog).
• Mike will continue the species survey, with particular emphasis on seasonal species such as fungi, as well as invertebrates (go to Mike's blog )
• Alan is to assess the site and determine what positive action we can take when we return to the site in October (go to Alan's blog)

The rest of us will all be busily engaged in collecting the material needed to show you this whole process, here on the 'Nature of Britain wiki'. We also intend to take some positive action. Patricia, who is on site, has been monitoring the spread of small balsam in particular. It has had a bumper year, probably because of all the wet weather, so we will be making a start on clearing some patches.