Geography GCSE Edexcel A - Box Hill Case Study for Deciduous Woodland

Location of Box Hill

1 mile North of Dorking, Surrey

Type of grassland

Chalk grassland

Trees found in Box Hill

Beech, ash, oak, hornbeam, yew

Size of Box Hill

1200 acres

Owner of Box Hill

National Trust

Age of deciduous woodland in Box Hill

Existed since 1600 AD. Some individual trees are <600 years old

Ways deciduous woodland in Box Hill supports wildlife

Provides nesting sites for birds like skylarks and kestrels, the chalk benefits snails with calcium for shells, variety of butterflies, variety of orchid

Number of species of butterflies in Box Hill

38 (including Adonis blue)

Number of species of orchid in Box Hill

17 (including bee orchid)

Percentage of wild box trees of England found in Mole Gap

40%

Coppicing at Box Hill

2% of woodland is coppiced on a 15 year cycle

Number of visitors at Box Hill

850000 yearly

Regular recreational services of Box Hill

Children’s quiz and nature trail, footpaths and trail walks, yearly Prudential London-Surrey 100 mile cycle race

Previous recreational use of Box Hill

2012 London Olympic cycling circuits

Advantages of coppicing

Ensures supply of wood for future generations, conserves ancient trees, allows light for ground and shrub layer plants

Protection status of Box Hill

Part of Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Beauty, European Special Area of Conservation, Site of Special Scientific Interest

Management of invasive species at Box Hill

Houses British bluebells, which are threatened by non-native Spanish bluebells

Number of Black Mountain sheep

28

Number of Belted Galloway cattle

4

Advantages of conservation grazing

Maintains chalk grassland, protects rare species in the environment, more cost effective than conservation via humans

Sustainable management of areas of recreation

Two mile long natural circular play trail, facilities built from coppiced wood so they don’t have to be transported, opportunities for education