British Library Habitat Translocation
Client: UPM Tilhill for The British Library
Background: The British Library adds three million new written items into archive each year and as such a new extension to house these documents was to be constructed.
Approximately 0.5 acres of the area to be developed was an orchid-rich limestone grassland designated as part of a Site of Ecological Importance (SEGI). As part of the planning consent for the extension the grassland was required to be moved to a suitable area adjacent to the new building.
Salix were employed by UPM Tilhill to undertake these works under the guidance of Atkins Globe's consulting ecologist.
Native orchid seed is dependent on contact with a symbiotic fungus for germination. Little is known about the exact relationship of the orchid and this symbiotic fungus which means that commercial propagation is extremely difficult. The fungus occurs on and around the roots of the orchid and as such the whole ecosystem and soil profile must be kept intact.
In order to ensure the best possible establishment rate of the grassland species, in particular the orchids, the whole turf and 300mm of soil had to be lifted as single undisturbed slab.
Once cut the grassland turfs are loaded on to a trailer and moved to the receptor site. A materials handler with an adapted flat bucket was used to carefully place the tufts on to the prepared subsoil bund. The bund was created with specific soil conditions to closely mimic the donor site conditions and therefore ensure the best possible recovery rate after translocation.
Materials used:
A “turf lifter” is used to carefully cut 300mm deep grassland turfs in order to limit disturbance to the soil structure and profile or the grassland flora
Close up of turf being lifted
Above: The turfs are carefully placed on the new subsoil bund
Above: The translocated grassland turf 3 months
after being moved. Pyramidal Orchids (above right)
were found on in the grassland at this time providing
positive signs that the translocated grassland is
recovering well
