The Atlas Project was launched in 2010, with the objective to establish a framework for the accurate mapping of plant species on and around Shotover Hill,
and at the same time provide further experiences for SW members’ in botanical surveying.
The resulting distribution maps will aid understanding of species and habitats, support publications, and help with the planning and delivery of student
project work.
The field work will take several years to complete so there are plenty of opportunities for anyone to join in with the surveying. It has already proved to
be a great way to learn and consolidate identification skills.
Inevitably, getting out to visit every 50m square in the Atlas area is going to throw up some new and interesting records. Already we have rediscovered a
fern that has not been recorded on Shotover since Boswell noted it down 1884.
Project features
Over 400 vascular plants species included
600 fifty metre grid squares (150 hectares) including Brasenose Wood and Shotover Hill SSSI
Shotover Wildlife’s long history of detailed surveying at Shotover has made it possible to import many thousands of records from previous work
A new and accurate map of the area has been produced using multiple GPSs (Global Positioning Systems)
Plant species surveying is based on the same multiple GPS system that has been used for the accurate mapping
The mapping will illustrate the distribution of species associated with the various habitats of the area: heath, acidic grassland, woodland, marsh,
hedgerow and meadow.
