The Nature of Cambridge

With a population of 129,000, Cambridge is small as English cities go. Like all cities, it has its own special features, notably the river Cam and its riparian commons, its college grounds and grand gardens, and its post-industrial chalk and clay pits. Bee Orchids are surprisingly frequent in its suburban lawns.

In this multi-authored and richly illustrated book we have brought together 25 experts to present a snapshot of Cambridge wildlife, focussing on the period 2016–2019. First, we
describe the background, with accounts of habitats, geology, climate and city development. Next comes the flora, very rich, with the highest total outside the London area. Then there are chapters on bryophytes, fungi and lichens. Invertebrate animals are treated in equal detail, with accounts of beetles, bugs, dragonflies, bees, wasps, flies, spiders and molluscs. There follow chapters on fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.

Interesting sites and nature conservation come next. We draw attention to major conservation successes, including habitat creation and the elimination of Mink and Floating Pennywort from the Cam. A final summary puts Cambridge’s natural history in its broader context, comparing it with other cities and looking at longer-term trends. Cambridge is a biodiversity hotspot, and we celebrate its wildlife.