Line Transect

This is used to measure areas where there may be a significant change in the distribution of plant species. Recordings are made at specified intervals (e.g. 1 metre) along the line (using string, rope or a tape measure) where plants touch the line at the interval point. Advantages • Quick and cheap way of collecting data. • Particularly useful where there are distinct plant differences, e.g. embankments, rocky shores. • Suitable for thinly populated areas. Disadvantages • Sampling design may not be representative of vegetation, as the line can readily miss area.

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  Linnaeus, Carl

Swedish scientist (1707 – 1778) who formalised the naming of plants using binomial nomenclature, originally with his publication of Species Planatarum (The Species of Plants) in 1753. The author of a named plant is abbreviated after the scientific name of a plant, for example Poa annua L. indicates that the author who named this plant is Linnaeus, for which he has been the authority for many species’ names.

  Longevity

The lifetime of a surface or product.

  Macrobiota

An ecological community of large, with individuals being greater than 2mm in diameter; animals called Macrofauna, which is divided into Vertebrates (such as moles) and invertebrates (such as earthworms), and plant features (which can be clearly seen with the naked eye) called Macroflora.

  Macrofauna

Animals larger than 2mm in body size diameter; so this includes pests such as Grey Squirrels; Rabbits; Foxes; Leatherjackets; Chafer Grubs, as well as beneficial organisms such as Earthworms. This term is also referred to as Macro-organism.

  Macroflora

Plants and their features which can be easily seen by the naked eye.

  Magnoliids

A group (Clade) of flowering plants (Angiosperms), in particular Magnolias, which were formerly classified as Dicotyledons.

  Manure [1]

Organic matter, especially originating from animal waste, although Green Manuring is where a crop is grown and then plough into a soil.

  Manuring

The application and incorporation of plant nutrients to a soil before grass seeds are sown onto a prepared area. A typical, traditional (early to mid 1900s) application rate would be 1 cubic yard per 100 square yards, being lightly forked and worked into the soil being prepared as a seed bed. "A method sometimes adopted is to prepare a compost consisting of one part of manure to three or four parts of screened top soil. An inch or two of this compost spread over the surface makes an excellent seed-bed". (Source: Sutton, M.A.F. (Ed) 1950, "Golf Courses. Design, Construction and Upkeep", Sutton & Sons, pp47-48). Where an adequate supply of well rotten manure was unavailable then plant nutrients would be supplied by the use of artificial fertilisers.

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  Mat

A term which is uncommonly used to refer to a layer of partially decomposed organic matter which is present below a thatch layer.