Branch

A sideways growing stem or root, which arises from another stem or root, often producing a network of branches.

  Braun-Blanquet Scale

A scale used to estimate the cover and abundance of species within a defined area such as a large quadrat, for example, 10m x 10m or greater. Modified versions of the values in the scale are used, however, the values given in the NVC handbook are as follows:

  Buffer

A material which is able to resist a change in its pH.

  Buffer pH

The lime requirement of a soil needed to raise soil acidity by a defined amount on the pH scale. The applied lime will ‘neutralise' a certain amount of the soil acidity, moving the soil pH nearer to neutral. The buffer pH is tested in a laboratory situation, for example using Modified Mehlich Buffer Test. Soil pH is different from the buffer pH, the former will indicate the acidity of a soil, whilst the buffer pH will determine the amount of lime needed to raise the soil pH up to the desired level.

  Bulbous

A swollen base of some grass plant, which may appear either rounded as in some Timothy (Phleum) species or more pear shaped as in Bulbous meadow grass (Poa bulbosus) or False Oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius). These bulbous features also act as a storage reserve for food and water.

  Bulk Density

The weight of dry material that is present in a certain volume. It is typically stated as grams per cubic centimetre.

  Burnt Lime

This form of lime, which is Calcium Oxide (also called quick lime), is a very reactive and caustic form of lime. It is rarely used on soil for changing soil pH as it is difficult to handle safely.

  C3 and C4 Pathway Differences

C3 plants are those that use the Calvin cycle in the dark reaction stage of photosynthesis, whilst C4 plants use the Hatch-Slack Pathway. C4 plants are less efficient than C3 plants at fixing CO2 in temperate climates and are also more sensitive to shade conditions. C4 plants grow faster and are more energy efficient in the fixing of carbon, as well as having a better efficiency of water usage, than C3 plants. Feature C3 plants C4 plants Location Temperate, cooler, moist climates Tropical, warmer, drier climates Global (green) plant species 95% 5% Photosynthesis Occurs when stomat

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  Calcicole

A plant which is often found only growing in calcareous soils.

  Calcifuge

A plant which would not normally be found growing in calcareous soils.