Churchyards are sometime very old and have seen little disturbance in decades or centuries. The soil is often free from fertilisers and other agricultural chemicals and so churchyards are often home to some of our most sensitive plants and fungi. Mature trees can often be found in churchyards are these trees can have an important landscape and cultural value as well as home to birds, bats and perhaps over 100 insect species. Churches themselves are often home to bats, though in reality they don't favour the noisy atmosphere of a belfrey!

Use the navigation bar on the left to explore other urban habitats or go back to Biodiversity in the National Park.