How varied mowing regimes effect insects in Southampton Old Cemetery

Southampton Old Cemetery covers an area of 27 acres at the southern end of Southampton Common. It was created between 1843 and 1884 and laid out as both a burial ground and an arboretum with 46 discreet management plots. In recent years the value of the old cemetery as a wildlife sanctuary has become obvious. Relic heath land, grassland and oak woodland exists there with a rich mix of flora and fauna. Management of this habitat is now the responsibility of the city council, with the assistance of volunteer groups. In March 1990 a mowing regime was implemented where the 46 plots were cut in different months of the spring and summer so as to maintain a maximum diversity of habitat and also to reduce management costs. This book is the result of a study of insect numbers within those plots that are cut in June or September. In addition to other variable factors such as weather conditions and vegetation type, an attempt was made to test a null hypothesis that time of mowing does not affect insect abundance.