HEATHLAND

HEATHLAND

LOCAL BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN

Ecology

What is heathland?
Both upland heathland and lowland heathland are covered by this action plan. Upland heathland occurs on hills and moors between 300 and 600-750m. Lowland heathland is found where similar vegetation grows below 300m.

Upland heathland incorporates both dry and wet heath vegetation. Climatically upland heaths are associated with cool, humid conditions and high rainfall. The habitat is characterised by a predominance of dwarf shrubs, almost always with heather (Calluna vulgaris) as the dominant species. In 'favourable condition' heather is often accompanied by bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus, crowberry Empetrum nigrum, bell heather Erica cinerea and, in the south and west, western gorse Ulex gallii.

Lowland heathland occurs on low sandstone hills and areas of glacial or wind blown sand deposits. Again, the habitat is characterised by a predominance of dwarf shrubs, almost always with heather (Calluna vulgaris) as the dominant species often accompanied by cross-leaved heath (Erica tetralix) and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). The habitat includes areas of dry heath on freely draining podzolic soils and dry heath on gleyed and/or peaty soils or where underlying boulder clay impedes drainage.

Why are heathlands important?Lowland heathland is of considerable importance for invertebrates. Often an assemblage of distinctive uncommon species are supported which may include the bog bush cricket (Metrioptera brachyptera), large heath butterfly (Coenonympha tullia) and black darter dragonfly (Sympetrum danae). Lowland heathland also supports rare birds such as the nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) and reptiles such as adder (Vipera berus) and slowworm (Angius fragilis).

Upland heathland has particular importance for breeding birds such as golden plover (Pluvialis apricaria), curlew (Numenius arquata) and twite (Carduelis flavirostris).

Current Status

Heathland is defined as vegetation dominated by dwarf shrubs (usually Calluna vulgaris), and is found on both sandy mineral soils and peats. Heaths are usually found on acidic soils. Heaths below an altitude of 250m are described as lowland heathland while those above are upland heathland or moorland.

Heathlands are an internationally important habitat; they are almost always sub-seral communities and must be maintained by some form of management such as burning or grazing.
A large percentage of remaining European heathland is in Britain. Heathlands were traditionally widespread in Europe until early this century, often being used for common grazing. However, since 1949, 40% of lowland British heath of acid soil has been lost by conversion to arable or intensive grazing, afforestation, building, or succession to scrub due to lack of proper management (NCC, 1984).

There are now 31,000ha of lowland heathland remaining in England (Farrel, 1993). The Cheshire Heathland Inventory (Clarke, 1995), found 71 heathland sites in the administrative county, 26 (96ha) upland sites, comprising 10ha of wet heath and 86 .1ha of dry heath, and 45 (60ha) sites of lowland heath, comprising 11ha wet heath and 49ha of dry heath. In addition there are approximately 50ha of heathland on the Wirral peninsula.

Threats

* Over-grazing on upland heath.
* Reduced grazing and other management of lowland heath leading to birch and scrub invasivion (often birch and Scots pine).
* Public pressure (eg. Recreation)
* Development and further 'improvement'.
* Uncontrolled fires.
* Forestry.
* Increased fertility due to agricultural run-off.
* Increased nutrients in atmospheric deposition.
* Natural outbreaks of heather beetle, which may be promoted by stress caused by pollution.

How are we helping to conserve Heathland in the Cheshire region?

* 88% of Cheshire's heathland is within the boundaries of SSSIs or SBIs.
* The National Trust own 6 heathland sites. The Cheshire County Council's Countryside Management Service manages 9 sites. Two sites are in wildlife enhancement schemes. There are also 2 Cheshire Wildlife Trust reserves, 1 Woodland Trust reserve, 1 Scout camp, 1 site included in the Mersey Forest and 3 others owned by local authorities. 3 sites in private ownership are being managed as heathlands.
* At least 5 heathland sites are in the Countryside Stewardship scheme.
* Priority habitat identified for protection in the County Structure Plan 2001.
* A Local BAP Action Group for heathlands was formed in 1998.
* 75ha of molinia dominated moorland, currently being reinstated to upland dwarf shrub heathland at High Moor, near Macclesfield.
* Research is being carried out to investigate the effects of elevated atmospheric nitrogen pollution on heathland ecology (Manchester Metropolitan University)
* North West Heathland Wildlife Enhancement Scheme (Natural England) initiated on Heswall Dales SSSI, to support management of areas in private ownership

Objectives, Targets and Actions

Objectives, targets and actions to help conserve heathland in the Cheshiree region can be found on the Biodiversity Action Reporting System (BARS) along with full details of our progress so far.

How can I find out more about heathlands?

http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/cheshire/heathland.html
http://www.countrysideinfo.co.uk/lowland.htm
http://www.peakdistrict-nationalpark.info/place/BAP/
http://www.merseysidebiodiversity.org.uk/pdfs/Heathland.pdf
http://www.peakdistrict-nationalpark.info/_pdf/moorland/bap_heather_moorland.pdf

UK BAP Definition

Contact details
LBAP Chair Alun Evans
Cheshire West and Chester
Phone 01244 603177

National Lead Partners Natural England
National Contact for Lowland Heathland
Isabel Alonso, Natural England
Phone: 0300 060 6000
National Contact for Upland Heathland
Mick Rebane, Natural England
Phone: 0300 060 6000

References & Glossary
English Nature (1993): Midland Meres and Mosses RAMSAR Citation.
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 2:Action Plans, London.
JNCC (1997): The Habitats Directive: selection of Special Areas of Conservation in the UK. JNCC Report No. 270.
English Nature (1998): Natural Area Profile, Meres and Mosses 27.
English Nature (1998): Natural Area Profile, Dark Peak.
English Nature (1998): Natural Area Profile, South West Peak.
English Nature (1998): Natural Area Profile, Urban Mersey Basin.
English Nature (1998):A Strategy for the conservation of the Meres and Mosses of Cheshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire.
English Nature (1999): Natural Areas in the North West Region, helping set the regional agenda for nature.