STUDIES ON THE ECOLOGY OF ENGLISH HEATHS I. THE VEGETATION OF THE UNFELLED PORTIONS OF OXSHOTT HEATH AND ESHER COMMON, SURREY.

The article focuses on the study of the plant communities of Oxshott Heath and Esher Common, Surrey. It indicates that the communities of the area are considered as representing various phase in a succession from original heath vegetation to woodland. The Grass Heath and Ulicetum are modifications of natural communities as cited in the study because of the influence of man and the remaining communities are capable to undergo transition to more neutral types of the adjacent London Clay. The study deliberates the probability of Pteridium as an interruption to the succession to woodland, thus maintaining the heath vegetation stage.