Page 47 - BBC Wildlife Volume 36 #11
P. 47
CHURCHYARD WILDLIFE
Just as in any other a maverick zeal can cause
habitat, the types of plants more harm than good
and other organisms that and result in a wilderness
populate and thrive in rather than a wildlife
churchyards are dependent reserve. So, how should
on the nature of the soil – wet a potential churchyard
or dry, acidic or alkaline, and conservation group begin its
so on – as well as the prevailing activities, and avoid the pitfalls?
climate and aspect. But there is another
important characteristic in the structure of the Dos and don’ts
church building and the type of gravestones. It is essential, as well as courteous, to sound
Ancient churches were usually built using out the views of the parish priest and the
the most conveniently available local building parish authorities on your intentions and to
stone, mainly because of the impracticality of seek the comments of fellow parishioners.
transporting stone from distant quarries along Strange as it may seem for those committed to
the rough tracks in the Middle Ages. While wildlife and conservation, some people prefer
this is significant for the overall appearance closely mown, neatly maintained, almost
of the building and its blending into the sanitised churchyards, so careful explanations
landscape, the type of stone used has indirect and justification may be needed.
but important implications for wildlife, too. Next investigate what information is
If the church is built of fairly soft, easily available about the churchyard in times past,
worked stone like some sandstones and using old photos and archived documents.
limestones, for example, it will weather Follow this with a detailed survey of the plant
quickly and so provide tiny crannies and and, if possible, the animal life already present
ledges on which plants and small creatures in the churchyard. There may be experienced
may become established. Hard granites and naturalists living in the parish who can help,
grits by contrast are more difficult to work but but almost certainly outside guidance will be
retain their form for much longer and so have needed and your county Wildlife Trust should
fewer of these wildlife-friendly little niches. be the first choice. They can call on county
specialists in the identification of most of the
Dedicated parishioners important natural-history groups – plants,
For years, small groups of parishioners have birds, insects, lichens, and so forth.
recognised the importance of churchyards Given this information about your
as habitats and have sought to limit the churchyard’s wildlife, a management plan
impact of activities such as grass mowing and should then be prepared – and again, expert
chemical use. In recent times, appreciation help will be needed. But remember three
of the wildlife importance of churchyards things. First, churchyards are above all burial
has become more widespread and better grounds – the sanctity of the graves and the
organised. Today, around 6,000 churchyards sensitivities of living relatives must be taken
are managed to some degree for their natural- into account. Second, churchyard conservation
history value, with a few designated as Sites and management is not gardening – it is
of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), which the protection and enhancement of what
For their size,
churchyards support benefit from some statutory protection. How is naturally there already, so creating a
a remarkably wide has this come about? herbaceous border full of exotic garden plants
variety of species. For as long as there have been naturalists, to attract butterflies is just not appropriate!
From top: golden some of the most cherished individuals And third, don’t be impatient and imagine you
crustose lichen,
Caloplaca flavescens, in the British wildlife ‘scene’ have been can achieve all of your conservation objectives
on a headstone; amateur enthusiasts. Almost none of the within the first 12 months. As Chaucer said:
slow-worms bask major natural-history disciplines – botany, “Patience is a conquering virtue.”
on graves and piles entomology, mycology, ornithology – could
of mown grass;
waxcaps thrive in exist without their contributions. To call them STEFAN BUCZACKI is a botanist
many churchyards, amateur is itself rather disparaging – the and horticulturlst who appeared on
no doubt due to the reality is they are unpaid experts. Gardeners’Question Time on Radio 4
lack of herbicides. Churchyard conservation depends almost for 12 years. His new book is Earth to Earth: A
Top right: a moss- wholly on such enthusiasts who are willing to Natural History of Churchyards (Unicorn, £15).
covered carving on a
Cotswold gravestone. give freely of their time and knowledge. Yet
equally, it is important not to let enthusiasm FIND OUT MORE Discover more about
run away unchecked. Well meaning but churchyard wildlife and conservation:
hurriedly done and misguided projects led by caringforgodsacre.org.uk
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