Cemeteries and churchyards make a significant contribution to the provision of green space in the capital, offering a quiet sanctuary for both people and wildlife.

What is a churchyard?  Churchyards tend to be 'semi-natural grassland', a species-rich habitat, often with a high floral content. In some cases this may take the form of long meadow grasses amongst which floral plants such as ox-eye daisy, common poppy and yellow rattle grow, giving the effect of a hay meadow. In other cases the grass may be much shorter allowing bird's-foot trefoil or orchids to grow.

Whose habitat is it?  Species associated with London cemeteries and churchyards include woodland edge species such as bats, stag beetle, spotted flycatcher, tawny owl and song thrush, as well as plenty of butterflies. Headstones have an ecology all of their own – lichens love them.

Conservation issues  The wealth of species that can be found in churchyards make their careful management important. This is now being recognised, and many throughout Britain have been designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Where can I see this habitat?

Dagenham Parish Churchyard