© Michael Garlick (Licensed under CC BY 2.0). Kindly recommended by UKCEH.
The following is a short summary of the habitat type and how to create/enhance it to a "good" condition. For an informed position, please refer to official up-to-date Government guidance or the UK Government's Condition Assessment Sheet.
Synonyms: Abandoned plot
Description: These are areas that have been disturbed by previous development or land use on constructed sites but are now abandoned. Includes any open mosaic habitat should be under 0.25 ha in size. The site may or may not contain some vegetation. It may also contain unvegetated, loose bare substrate.
If you wish to select this habitat on a habitat selection screen, it can be found under Urban (see guide).
If there is a mosaic of habitats, it is worth checking UKHAB documentation to make sure that it doesn’t meet the criteria for other habitats.
Assessment Questions
Is any open mosaic habitat under 0.25 ha in size?
Are any species on site random and not clearly early successional communities?
If YES, then it is likely “Urban - Vacant or derelict land”. If not, it may be “Open mosaic habitats on previously developed land”.
How to Create / Enhance to a "Good" condition
How to create
Vacant or derelict habitat type is a very low distinctiveness habitat and so there are no specific requirements for management.
How to get a "moderate" rating
At least two of the following will be true:
Vegetation structure will be varied, providing opportunities for vertebrates and invertebrates to live, eat and breed. A single structural habitat component or vegetation type does not account for more than 80% of the total habitat area.
The habitat parcel will contain different plant species that benefit wildlife. For example, flowering species provide nectar sources for a range of invertebrates at different times of year.
Invasive non-native plant species (as listed on Schedule 9 of WCA1) and others which are to the detriment of native wildlife will cover less than 5% of the total vegetated area.
How to get a "good" rating
All three of the following will be true:
Vegetation structure will be varied, providing opportunities for vertebrates and invertebrates to live, eat and breed. A single structural habitat component or vegetation type does not account for more than 80% of the total habitat area.
The habitat parcel will contain different plant species that benefit wildlife. For example, flowering species provide nectar sources for a range of invertebrates at different times of year.
Invasive non-native plant species (as listed on Schedule 9 of WCA1) and others which are to the detriment of native wildlife will cover 0% of the total vegetated area.
Please note that this is a simple guide to help identify the habitat. For a definitive description, please refer to UKHab documentation. Joe's Blooms takes no responsibility for the content of external links.