5. Quantity is as Important as Variety

Theme:	ECOLOGY NETWORKS
Current Topic:	Knapp and Knowle
Thread Title:	Quantity is as Important as Variety
Thread Number:	5 of 7
Learning Focus:	From rare bats to 100% of Sidmouth's recorded amphibians, explore the incredible species diversity within the Knapp and Knowle nature network.

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5 Surprising Truths About the Knapp and Knowle Cluster

Next time you’re wandering through The Knapp or catching the breeze at The Knowle, take a moment to look beyond the pleasant greenery of our local walking spots. While we often view these spaces as simple recreational areas, they form an intricate and vital ecological network that is humming with life. Raw numbers on a spreadsheet often fail to capture the pulse of a thriving ecosystem, but when we dive into the data, we find that these niche pockets of life act as vital bunkers for species found nowhere else in our survey.

1. The Small-Scale Monopoly: A Stronghold for Amphibians

One of the most startling revelations from our biodiversity survey is the "amphibian monopoly" held by this cluster. Out of all 50 sites surveyed across the region, 100% of the recorded amphibian species—the Common Frog and the Palmate Newt—were found right here.

This isn't a statistical fluke; it’s a direct habitat-to-species correlation. The presence of three specific pond areas within this cluster makes it an irreplaceable sanctuary. Without these small bodies of water, these amphibians would effectively vanish from our local records, proving that even a tiny aquatic footprint can create an indispensable stronghold for an entire class of animals.

2. Diversity vs. Abundance: The July Optical Illusion

In the world of ecology, we often chase "diversity"—the number of different species present. However, the Knapp and Knowle cluster teaches us that "abundance"—the sheer volume of individual life—is just as critical. While many species groups here show diversity percentages below 50% compared to the wider survey, this creates a "July optical illusion" that masks the staggering biological wealth of the site.

"If you visit the Knapp, for example, in July you will see the evidence of this with an abundance of some grassland flora but that is dominated by a selection of species such oxeye daisy, common knapweed, wild carrot, meadow buttercup and various vetch species."

This floral explosion isn't just a pretty sight; it’s a powerhouse of biomass. A site dominated by a few thriving, well-adapted species provides a massive energy source for the rest of the food chain. When you see a field of oxeye daisies, you aren't just looking at a lower diversity count; you're looking at a thriving, specialised engine of Sidmouth’s biodiversity.

3. The Cemetery as a Living Sanctuary

While we traditionally think of cemeteries as places of quiet rest, the local cemetery within this cluster is a bustling, "well-endowed" habitat for cryptogams—the fascinating world of fungi, lichens, and mosses. Because this site is sheltered and less exposed than the open meadows, it offers a damp, shady microclimate that these species crave.

The man-made structures here provide a unique substrate for life; the older gravestones are the primary niche for 14 different species of lichen. Meanwhile, in the shady, damp corners where the sun rarely reaches, mosses thrive in abundance. The cemetery also serves as a critical refuge for waxcap fungi, species that simply cannot survive in the surrounding open grasslands. It is a reminder that historical sites often double as essential, undisturbed biological vaults.

4. The "Umbelifer Effect" in the Grasslands

The specific plants that grow in a meadow act as an "exclusive guest list" for the local insect population. Because the Knapp and Knowle cluster—including the significant but often overlooked Highfield Meadow—is dominated by semi-improved grassland, it creates what we call the "umbelifer effect."

High densities of umbelifer flora, such as wild carrot and hogweed, act as a specialised siren song for certain insects. These flat-topped flowers are the preferred feeding grounds for specialist Diptera (flies) and Coleoptera (beetles). While these "wildflower" meadows might not host the high numbers of Hymenoptera (bees) and Lepidoptera (butterflies) the public usually expects, they are vital hubs for a robust and specialised community of pollinators perfectly adapted to the Sidmouth landscape.

5. The "Hidden" Residents: Under-recorded Species

If you look at the current data for mammals (14.3%) and birds (30.3%), you might think the cluster is a bit quiet. However, these numbers are almost certainly an understatement—a snapshot that misses the full film. Our surveys often take place during afternoon walks, which is the exact time our most interesting residents are sleeping.

The long grass and scrubby hedgerows are likely teeming with small mammals that avoid the heat of the day, and our bird counts likely miss the territorial displays that only happen at the break of dawn. To see the true face of the cluster, we need to look closer with a different set of tools: small-mammal trapping, dawn chorus monitoring, and the use of bat detectors to pick up the nocturnal hunters patrolling the tree lines. Nature is rarely absent; it’s usually just waiting for the sun to go down.

Conclusion: A Future for the Network

The Knapp and Knowle cluster proves that every link in the chain matters. While the larger anchors like The Knapp, The Knowle, and the cemetery host the highest species counts, the smaller "connectors" like Peasland and the Bickwell hedgerows are just as vital. They provide the density and niche habitats—like water-margin plants and ferns—that allow the entire network to breathe.

When we understand the complex data behind these green spaces, our perception of them changes. Next time you pass a "neglected" patch of hogweed or an old, weathered headstone, will you see a mess—or will you see a thriving, specialised engine of Sidmouth's biodiversity?

Now watch the video: