5: Flint Stones and Wall Flowers

Theme:	ECOLOGY NETWORKS
Current Topic:	Around the Town
Thread Title:	Flint Stones and Wall Flowers
Thread Number:	5 of 7
Learning Focus:	See the data behind Sidmouth's nature recovery. Discover why the town centre is a haven for 67% of the valley's bird species and 60% of its ferns.

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Why Our Town Centre is a Hidden Biodiversity Goldmine

There is a persistent myth that nature is something we must travel to find—a distant prize tucked away in remote rural woodlands or protected countryside reserves. We often view our town centres as biological "dead zones," defined by the grey monotony of asphalt and human hustle.

However, data from the "Sidmouth Biodiversity" survey tells a much more vibrant story. While the town centre can be a "hostile environment" for some, it is actually a thriving, if unconventional, ecosystem. By surveying 50 sites across the region, researchers discovered that Sidmouth’s sidewalks and shorelines are teeming with life that often goes unnoticed by the casual shopper.

The Great Wall of Flowers: When Gardens Go Rogue

One of the most startling revelations from the survey is the floral density concentrated in the heart of town. Out of 339 plant species recorded across the entire 50-site survey, a staggering 157 species (46.3%) were found in just seven town-centre sites.

This isn't just a collection of manicured flowerbeds. It is a visual tapestry of "accidental biodiversity" born from two unique factors:

• Coastal Specialists: Because the town network hugs the shingle beaches and sandstone cliffs, it hosts rugged plants that most species simply can't compete with.
• The Great Escape: Our local gardens are leaking. Plants originally introduced for domestic rockeries have "escaped" their pots, finding a second life by colonising the crevices of the town’s iconic flint stone walls.

As the survey notes:

"There are a number of plants that occur here because they are specifically adapted to survive in the environment which many other species of plant cannot cope with."

This bridge between domestic landscaping and wild survival creates a unique urban flora that wouldn't exist without our human footprint.

Stone-Cold Survivors: The Ancient Architects of the Graveyard

While we often focus on colourful flowers, the town centre is a genuine stronghold for "cryptogams"—the primitive, resilient world of mosses, lichens, and ferns. The architectural history of Sidmouth provides a perfect, unintended substrate for these species.

The data reveals the town is a sanctuary for these ancient residents:

• 59.4% of the area’s Bryophytes (mosses)
• 60.0% of its Pteridophytes (ferns)
• 55.5% of its Lichens

There is a poetic irony in our "old" human structures providing the foundation for life. Mosses blanket the damp, shaded stone of old boundaries, while historic tombstones offer the perfect, undisturbed surface for diverse lichen colonies. In the cool shadows of Glen Goyle, ferns and Spleenworts flourish in a microclimate that feels worlds away from the High Street. For these species, the survey is clear: the "town is a haven."

Feathered Frontiers: Why the Beach Beats the Woods

You might assume bird diversity would peak in the deep woods, but in Sidmouth, the pavement often outperforms the forest. A total of 38 out of 56 bird species (67.8%) were recorded within the town area.

This high species count represents a "double-win" for avian life:

• The Coastal Edge: The proximity to the beach brings in specialists like gulls, cormorants, and waders that are absent from inland rural sites.
• The Garden Sanctuary: The formal gardens throughout the town center offer a vital refuge. These spaces allow various species to thrive and be heard, especially during the winter months when food sources elsewhere might be scarce.

The 100% Club and the Mystery of the Night

The survey also uncovered a fascinating statistical anomaly regarding our local reptiles. 100% of the tetrapod reptile species recorded in the entire survey (one out of one!) were found right here in the town network.

When it comes to mammals, the town holds 57.1% of the total species recorded, but there is a catch: Observation Bias. Most of our local mammals are nocturnal. Because the town centre is one of the few places where people are present and active after dark, these animals are far more likely to be spotted and recorded here. In contrast, the remote, rural sites remain unvisited during the midnight hours, meaning mammals likely roam there unseen. It’s a classic case of urban ecology: we see more because we are there to look.

The Missing Buzz: Can We Turn the Tide for Insects?

The news isn't universally positive. While birds and mosses are thriving, Sidmouth’s town centre remains a difficult place for many insects. The survey highlights a significant "insect void" in certain groups:

• Hemiptera (Bugs): 0.0% presence in town.
• Coleoptera (Beetles): Only 14.3% presence.

However, it isn't a total loss for arthropods. Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) showed much higher resilience, with 19 species (41.3%) recorded in the town.

The struggle for beetles and bugs likely stems from a lack of native plants in formal gardens and the overall density of the urban landscape. 

"The town centre is a hostile environment for many insects. With the nature recovery strategy and practices now in place it is in this group of animals one would hope to see some more positive findings in future years."

This represents the most critical frontier for Sidmouth’s future. By introducing more native planting into our gardens and public spaces, we can transform this "hostile environment" into a productive corridor for pollinators.

Conclusion: A Living Landscape

The ultimate takeaway from the survey is one of remarkable resilience. While the town centre may be less biodiverse than the wild hills surrounding it, it still hosts at least one representative from almost every biological group surveyed (with the exception of Hemiptera).

Nature in Sidmouth isn't just "out there"—it is right beneath our feet. On your next walk through the town centre, I encourage you to pause. Look closely at the cracks in a flint wall or the weathered face of an old tombstone. You aren't just looking at the remnants of the past; you are witnessing a living, breathing landscape that has found a way to survive, adapt, and thrive alongside us. With the right management, our "concrete jungle" can become an even greater goldmine for the wild.

Now watch the video: