Industrial Sites and Moth Diversity in the Tees Estuary

Robert Woods

The Tees Estuary is an industrial landscape dominated by heavy engineering, petrochemicals and steel, but is also immediately adjacent to important areas which are designated for nature conservation

Reproduced from Ordnance Survey 1:50 000 Scale Raster with permission of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office,© Crown Copyright 2012, INCA

Legend:

Sites of Special Scientific Interest

Local Wildlife Sites

• Substrate - large areas were reclaimed using dredged material and blast furnace slag (a by-product of steel manufacture)

• Habitat mosaic. Not a single entity – different grassland types with scrub and wetland

Features of the Tees Estuary Sites

• Most of this habitat in the estuary occurs on operational sites – not on ‘disused’ land

Habitat Diversity

Weathered slag supports a diverse species-rich grassland. Defined as OMH, a national priority habitat. Typically shows variety in sward height and frequent bare patches.

Diverse habitat = diverse invertebrate fauna; e.g. >400 moth species recorded by INCA on Tees sites - many of conservation interest. Seven species (key habitat indicators) are listed as priority species for the Tees Valley. Informs the planning process.

Important moth species from Phragmites reedbeds on industrial sites

Obscure Wainscot Mythimna obsoleta

(Hübn.)

Silky Wainscot Chilodes maritima

(Tausch.)

Fen Wainscot Arenostola phragmitidis

(Hübn.)

Southern Wainscot Mythimna straminea

(Treit.)

Illustration of the importance of some sites to moths

Important Saltmarsh Species from the Industrial Brinefields of the Tees Estuary

Dog’s Tooth Lacanobia suasa (D.&S.)

Saltern Ear Amphipoea fucosa (Tutt)

Crescent Striped Apamea oblonga (Haw.)

Nationally Notable Moth Species from Dune Grassland

Lyme Grass Chortodes elymi (Tr.)

Shore Wainscot Mythimna littoralis (Curtis)

Opportunities to Conserve Invertebrates on Industrial sites

• INCA works with industrial landowners to manage their land for nature conservation where it is possible to do this (Site BAPs)

• Ideally in long-term management without development pressure for at least 5 years to be useful

• Allows pockets of land to become ‘stepping stones’ in landscape level conservation

Habitat Creation for Brownfield Invertebrates

• Habitat creation based on exposing low nutrient substrate (sandy dredgings)

• Natural succession allowed to take place from surrounding seed bank

• Digger used to create varied topography and aspect

© Trevor and Dilys Pendleton

• Tees sites have a very varied habitat which supports diverse moth populations

Summary

• A number of industrial organisations are keen to support the conservation of important brownfield (open mosaic) habitat

• Seven moth species are listed as ‘priority species’ for the Tees Valley. This is part of a ‘priority species’ list which informs the sub-regional planning process.

robert.woods@inca.uk.com