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Questions: The floristic distinctiveness of ancient woodland relative to recent woodland is commonly measured by Ancient Woodland Indicator (AWI) species richness. However, focussing on a pre‐defined subset of species means that wider community‐level differences may be overlooked. Can ancient semi‐natural, ancient replanted, and recent woodland herb layer communities be distinguished by alpha, beta, and gamma diversity? How are any differences partitioned across AWI and non‐AWI species communities? Location: Cotswolds, southwest UK. Methods: To quantify AWI and non‐AWI responses to stand history in ancient semi‐natural, ancient replanted, and recent woodland, we conducted floristic surveys of 45 sites. Using a modelling approach, we tested the relative and additive contribution of alpha‐scale AWI and non‐AWI species richness to woodland distinctiveness. Ordination was applied to analyse beta species composition distinctiveness, and multilevel pattern analysis was used to examine which species were significant contributors to gamma‐scale richness differences. Results: AWI species richness models significantly distinguished ancient semi‐natural woodland from both ancient replanted and recent woodland at the alpha scale. For the classification of ancient semi‐natural woodland and recent woodland, the hierarchical inclusion of non‐AWI alpha richness resulted in a superior and more significant model. AWI gamma richness was numerically similar for all three woodland categories, whereas non‐AWI was more varied. AWI and non‐AWI species composition showed significant beta diversity differences among all woodland types, with six species being significant drivers of differences. Conclusions: Our results have revealed previously undetected complexity in the contributions of AWI and non‐AWI species to floristic distinctiveness of ancient woodland. In addition to traditional AWI species, the non‐AWI assemblage also exhibited a sensitivity to habitat continuity that: (a) adds weight to the argument that ancient woodland is floristically distinct from recent woodland; and (b) provides a useful measure of success for ancient replanted woodland restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reflects on the fit between the conversion praxis of the charismatic tradition and that of Fresh Expressions, an influential contextual church planting movement within the UK and beyond. It argues that while there is the potential for charismatic praxis to give greater attention to conversion as process, there is a lack of attention within Fresh Expressions to the role of encounter in conversion. Provisional proposals are made for paying greater attention to the emotional dimension of conversion if charismatics are to engage more deeply with the strategy and other contextual mission approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the two years following the first case of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom, cycles of social restrictions were imposed to control the spread of the virus. These measures curtailed social contact and halted commercial and recreational activities affecting levels of air pollutants. As society adapted, restrictions eased and pollution gradually returned to baseline levels. However, resurgence in COVID-19 cases from new variants created a protracted and challenging path back to 'normality'. In this study, we retrospectively look back at the two years of COVID-19 and its prevalent variants, and examine the government response and its impact on mobility and air pollution. Results from a peak detection algorithm show peak events in mobility and COVID-19 deaths during variants periods decreased significantly from the wildtype COVID-19, despite the high contagiousness of these variants. Pollution levels remained below baseline with periods of significant increase for O 3 , while NO 2 levels remained depleted, likely as a result of reduced traffic congestion as home office schemes have been maintained. Our findings suggest mobility and pollution return to baseline levels as immunity to COVID-19 increases., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Crown Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)