Ash woodlands: Via Gellia
Ashwoods are the only extensive type of woodland to be found in the White Peak. Concentrated on valley and dalesides, as well as former quarries, they are a key biodiversity habitat, whilst the Via Gellia woodlands are an important example and are designated as a SSSI.
Such woodlands are dominated by ash, although oak, limes and wych elm can also be found. Mountain currant and rock whitebeam can also sometimes form an undershrub layer. The late leafing and open leaf structure of ash woodlands allows maximum light to reach the floor and thus a diverse ground flora to flourish, including wood anenome, ramsons and bluebells alongside the more unusual columbine, lily of the valley and yellow Star-of-Bethlehem.
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Mosses, liverworts, lichens and ferns can also carpet north-facing slopes in particular. Willow, wood and garden warblers can be heard in spring alongside chiff-chaffs and blackcaps. Redstarts, green woodpeckers and song thrushes (a key biodiversity species) can also be found whilst the woods provide suitable habitat for the returning buzzard.
Other typical species include slow worms, noctule bats and numerous beetles and flies, many of which are dependent on dead wood. The white letter hairstreak butterfly also remains widespread but is threatened by the loss of wych elm. |
