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EVENTS

The Spring mini-walk in April saw a group very brave people assemble to slosh, at times, round Golden Acre Park. The rain held off and we had a fun time wildlife (and pet life) watching.

Further information on Breary Marsh
for the Summer mini-walk.

In Breary Marsh, we find one of the finest examples of a wet alder wood in West Yorkshire. It is a habitat which was once common in streams and river valleys in the county. It also provides a home for different species of insect, some being the type found in ancient fen habitats and which are now increasingly scarce. Much of Breary Marsh has therefore been designated of national importance as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

There are several different habitats in Breary Marsh but what exactly is a habitat? It is the home environment and natural conditions for animals and plants. There are five different habitats in this small area, these being fen and willow scrub, alder carr, oak and birch woodland, meadow, and ponds and streams. How are habitats determined? Largely by local environmental conditions like geography, geology and climate. In Breary Marsh, the different habitats are influenced by differences in ground level too and, as the ground rises, there is a definite movement from waterlogged to drier habitats.

I have mentioned Alder Carr. Carr is the name applied to woodland which stands on wet or water-logged ground and where the dominant plant is alder. Typically, we also see reed, sphagnum moss and sedge. Alder was once valued for the charcoal which was made from its wood as this was used to make gunpowder. In more recent times alder woodland has been drained for agriculture, as the land is extremely fertile.

BLA with many thanks to Ranger Richard Marsh and Leeds City Council Parks and Countryside for much help with information