Work Rest and Play Summary

Based on this series, if you started with no prior knowledge, you would now have a foundational understanding of urban ecology and the specific environmental landscape of Sidmouth:

1. "Brownfield" is an Ecological Term, not just a Planning one:
   While often thought of as "waste ground," in ecology, these are known as Open Mosaic Habitats. They are recognised as a UK Priority Habitat because of their high biodiversity value.

2. They are Biodiversity Powerhouses:
   In the Sidmouth survey, brownfield sites made up only 30% of the land area but hosted over 64% of all recorded species, including the majority of the area's mammals and birds.

3. Nature Thrives on the "Edge":
   Brownfields are valuable because they provide "early successional" habitats—patches of bare ground, rubble, and thin soil—that are increasingly rare in a heavily managed countryside.

4. Temperature Matters:
   Man-made materials like concrete, brick, and railway ballast act as "heat sinks." These warm spots are essential for cold-blooded wildlife like the Common Lizard and Slow-worm, as well as burrowing insects.

5. Sidmouth has a Diverse "Mosaic":
   The town's brownfield sites aren't just derelict factories; they include 15 distinct locations ranging from formal parks like Connaught Gardens to wilder lanes like Bickwell Valley.

6. "Messy" is often Better for Wildlife:
   There is a "Management Spectrum." Sites with Minimal Intervention (like the Harpford Trailway) often provide better corridors for movement than highly "Managed" sites (like bowling greens), though both play a role.

7. The Importance of Corridors:
   Linear sites like the Harpford Trailway (a former railway) and the River Sid act as "green highways," allowing wildlife to travel safely between isolated pockets of nature.

8. Old Architecture Supports Life:
   Ancient stone walls and lime mortar (found in places like the Parish Churchyard) provide a specialised alkaline environment for unique mosses, lichens, and plants like Pellitory-of-the-wall.

9. Community Action is Vital:
   Many of Sidmouth's most diverse spots, such as The Byes and Knapp Nature Pond, are healthy today only because of active restoration and maintenance by local volunteer groups like the SVA.

10. Urban Spaces are "Refuges":
    Because of "garden escapes" and non-native planting, urban brownfields often provide nectar and shelter at times of the year when more "natural" agricultural landscapes are barren.