ECOLOGICAL BASIS FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF ROPNER PARK, STOCKTON-ON-TEES, NORTHEAST ENGLAND

Urban green spaces are increasingly recognised as critical refugia for biodiversity and essential providers of ecosystem services in rapidly urbanising landscapes. This study presents an empirical ecological assessment of Ropner Park, a 16-hectare Victorian-era public park located in Stockton-on-Tees, Northeast England, to establish baseline data on its floral and faunal composition, habitat structure, and ecological integrity. Systematic field surveys were conducted across four distinct habitat types; mature woodland (5.2 ha), open grassland (6.8 ha), ornamental gardens (2.1 ha), and the lake and riparian margins (1.9 ha); over a twelve-month period spanning all four seasons (March 2025–February 2026). Vegetation was sampled using 1 m² quadrats (n = 120) to determine species richness, abundance, and diversity indices. Avian populations were surveyed using point-count and transect methods (n = 48 surveys), while aquatic macroinvertebrates were sampled (n = 24 kick-samples) to assess water quality through BMWP and ASPT biotic indices. Environmental variables, including soil pH (range 5.8–7.4), moisture content (18–42%), canopy cover (0–85%), and water physicochemical parameters (DO 6.2–9.1 mg/L; nitrate 0.8–3.4 mg/L; phosphate 0.05–0.31 mg/L), were measured to evaluate habitat conditions. Results revealed a total of 187 plant species, 43 bird species, and 38 macroinvertebrate taxa. Shannon-Wiener diversity indices were highest in woodland (H' = 3.42) and riparian zones (H' = 3.18), moderate in ornamental gardens (H' = 2.64), and lowest in amenity grassland (H' = 1.47). Canonical correspondence analysis demonstrated significant correlations between species distribution and habitat variables (p < 0.01), particularly canopy cover (λ = 0.41) and soil moisture (λ = 0.33), explaining 62.4% of total variance. The lake exhibited moderate ecological status (ASPT = 4.8; BMWP = 58), with pollution-tolerant taxa (Asellus aquaticus, Chironomus spp.) dominating, suggesting nutrient enrichment. Findings provide empirical evidence that Ropner Park supports ecologically significant communities despite its urban setting and intensive recreational use. This baseline assessment offers a scientific foundation for informed management strategies, including habitat enhancement, biodiversity monitoring, and sustainable urban park design.