sward/field layer |
The structural layer of grasses, herbs and dwarf shrubs in an open system. The architecture includes shoots, leaves and flowers. |
resource |
synanthropic |
Associated with humans, either by feeding on resources provided by human activity, or living in structures built by humans. |
label |
tall sward & scrub |
Areas of dense herbage or partial shade where a humid microclimate is maintained at ground level. Dominance by woody plants is limited by exposure, grazing or cutting of vegetation, but they often form an important component of the habitat. |
habitat |
temporary water dependant |
Small water bodies (small ponds, depressions or ruts) that completely dry up for part of the year, leaving no standing water. Usually free of fish and other predators that require a water body all year around. |
resource |
terrestrial aspect |
Many species have a terrestrial aspect to their lives. This could include pupation in the soil, feeding on the ground in fruits that have fallen etc. |
resource |
tidal litter |
An accumulation of dead plant remains and other material either on the surface or buried by wave action in the top layers of sand and silt. |
resource |
tree pools |
Tree associated pools come in many forms. These are not rot holes in the sense of being derived from fungal decay of wood, but cavities in which debris rots. |
resource |
tree-associated |
A biotope associated with woodland and wood-pasture systems. |
broad biotope |
trunk & branches |
Arboreal species associated with the trunk and branches (as opposed to the leaf canopy) of living trees. |
resource |
trunks & branches |
Species associated with the outer layers of decaying trunk and branches. |
resource |
ubiquitous |
Species that are widespread in many habitats and show no particular habitat preference. |
label |
undergrowth |
Species associated with ground-layer vegetation within shaded woodland. |
resource |
understorey |
Species only associated with the canopy of trees and shrubs in the woodland understorey. |
resource |
undisturbed fluctuating marsh |
This distinctive assemblage is best expressed in floodplains and the draw-down zones of reservoirs, but can also occur on the edges of fens and seepages where its presence can indicate that the site is becoming dryer. |
SAT |
unknown |
A species where there is little or no current information about its ecology. |
label |
unknown |
Unknown if species has the trait or uses the resource |
resource |
Unknown |
A few micromoths are listed as status Unknown |
status |
unmodified fast flowing streams |
Found within and on the margins of fast-flowing streams, especially in moss on bedrock and boulders often in the splash zone of waterfalls and torrents. |
resource |
unshaded seepage |
Associated with seepages in open conditions (i.e. not in woodlands or under tree cover). |
resource |
upland |
Species associated with often open habitats usually above 300m altitude, often consisting of moorland, blanket bogs, Nardus grassland, snow bed and montane heaths and boulder screes. |
habitat |
vagrant/introduced |
species that do not have native breeding populations but which occur as vagrants or as introductions |
label |
variable base status |
Associated with sites of varying underlying geology and pH level. |
resource |
variable humidity |
A situation where a species appears to occur in a range of soil humidity as derived from accounts; this may either because soil humidity has little ecological bearing on the species ecology, or that the account generalisation obscures the real humidity niche utilised. |
resource |
VU |
Vulnerable in Great Britain |
status |
VU (European) |
Vulnerable in Europe |
status |
VU (Global) |
Vulnerable globally |
status |
walls & cliffs |
Vertical rock walls that may contain vegetation growing from it. Can be natural or man-made. |
resource |
wasp nests |
Social wasp nests within large tree cavities. |
resource |
wave-washed edges |
Lake edges where waves action scours plants leaving bare or very sparsely vegetated edge substrate of rock and shingle. |
resource |
Western peat bog indicators - spiders |
Spider indicator species for peat bogs in western Britain |
quality index |
wet |
The soil water level is at or above the soil surface for more time than it is below it. The soil composition influences this as well. |
resource |
wet hollows |
Rot holes, pools or other areas within the heartwood that accumulate moisture and organic matter. |
resource |
wet woodland |
A woodland that occurs on poorly drained or seasonally wet soils. |
habitat |
wet/damp peat |
Saturated peat on permanent mires often formed through disturbance (such as peat cutting or trampling). |
resource |
wetland |
A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with moisture either permanently or seasonally. Such areas may also be covered partially or completely covered by shallow pools of water. |
broad biotope |
wetland vegetation |
Species associated with tall plants within wetlands, living on the leaves and inflorescences. |
resource |