Editing Marriott's Way (section)

== Ecology ==
While the railway line was in use, trackside vegetation would have been partly controlled. The vegetation would have been cut regularly or sprayed with [[herbicides]], so that trains were not obstructed and to lessen the risk of fire. When the railway closed, such management ceased and a wide variety of plants colonised the track; this has made it the diverse habitat for wildlife that it is today.

'''Today'''

In the Wensum Valley, immediately above the [[flood plain]] between Hellesdon and Drayton, over 100 species of vegetation have been recorded including [[Crataegus monogyna|hawthorn]], [[guelder rose]], [[Rosa canina|wild rose]], [[blackthorn]], scrub [[oak]], [[gorse]] and [[broom (shrub)|broom]]. Many wild flowers can be found such as [[shepherd's purse]], [[ox-eye daisy]], [[white campion]] and [[Saxifraga granulata|meadow saxifrage]]. Closer to the river, the soil becomes heavier and wetter and vegetation includes [[alder]], [[Elderberry|elder]], [[marsh marigold]] and [[willow]].

To the north of Drayton, the way passes over a variety of soil types. On the chalky soils, typical plants found are the [[sycamore]], [[birch]] and chalk grassland species such as [[wild carrot]], [[self heal]], [[Bird's-foot trefoil|bird's-foot-trefoil]], [[knapweed]] and [[Verbascum|mullein]]. On the sandy soils [[bracken]], [[birch]] and [[gorse]] are the more dominant species. Also of note are [[lichen]]s, which are colonising many of the concrete structures and bridges along the track. The way is an important area for insects, birds and small mammals because of the variety of wild plants that are found.