Within each survey plot, a series of eight 2 m2 m
vegetation assessment quadrats were established (two
in each 50 m50 m quadrant). Ground vegetation
assessments were undertaken from June±August,
identifying vascular plants and bryophtyes. Horizontal
cover was estimated using the DOMIN cover-abundance
scale. Vertical structure assessments were
undertaken at 16 separate locations within the 1 ha
plot, 4/quadrant. This method has been described in
full in Ferris-Kaan et al. (1998), and involves estimating
cover (at 5% intervals) in a vertical plane of ®eld
layer vegetation (0±2 m height band), shrub layer
canopy (2±5 m height band), lower canopy (5±15 m
height band), and upper canopy (15±25 m heightband). Vertical structure pro®les can be created for
each plot by taking an average for each layer from the
16 point assessments per layer