Monument record 15379 - Mere Moss Wood

<1> Leah, MD; Wells, CE; Appleby, C; Huckerby, E, 1997, The Wetlands of Cheshire (North West Wetlands Survey 4), p.81, p.193-4 (Monograph). SCH3260.

Mere Moss Wood contains sediments relating to the late Devensian period and has the potential to shed new light on the environment during the Windermere Interstadial.

The site appears heavily disturbed and truncated and is covered by a combination of forestry and naturally regenerating deciduous woodland. Never-the-less, extensive clay-rich basal sediments remain in a reasonable state of preservation. Pollen samples recovered from the base of the deposits indicate an open herbaceous community characteristic of the late Devensian I, followed by an open herbaceous community with some birch scrub typical of the late Devensian, late Glacial period. Above tree and shrub pollen indicate birch scrub, possibly from the late Devensian II (Windermere Interstadial), followed by an environment of more open scrub typical of the late/post-Glacial transition.

<2> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 358/2 c.1850 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

This plot is recorded as Old Mere Moss and the landuse is described as heathland.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ8369 1872 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

This map depicts the area as mixed woodland. It is named Mere Moss.