< Previous | Contents | Next >
THE RURAL STEWARDSHIP SCHEME 7. Bracken Eradication
Programme for species-rich grassland, coastal or lowland heath
| Aim: To eradicate bracken from an area
of species-rich grassland, coastal or lowlad heath and thus allow the species-rich
grassland, coastal or lowland heath vegetation to re-establish itself. Some
BAP species that may benefit: Northern brown argus, Juniper, Slender Scotch
Burnet and Skylark Eligible sites: Species-rich grassland,
unimproved grassland, coastal or lowland heath of conservation interest, identified
in the Environmental Audit as bracken-invaded. | Management
Requirements: Carry out a systematic programme of treatment and follow-up,
where necessary using Asulam or other approved herbicide, in accordance with a
Bracken Eradication Programme (BEP) laid out in an approved BEP Management Plan:
- In year 1, prepare a detailed BEP Management Plan that will incorporate a
map drawn to a scale of 1:10000 showing the extent of the invasion, the areas
of bracken to be cleared over the life-time of the scheme plan, an estimate of
the percentage cover and frond density of the bracken within each area at full
frond stage (mid/late June on the West Coast to early August in the eastern Borders)
and the locations of any sensitive species and habitats with appropriate buffer
zones to ensure their conservation. Where cutting rather than the application
of herbicide is to be the means of control, the setting of buffer zones is unnecessary,
but the map must show any areas with sensitive species and habitats and where
birds are known to nest on the ground.
| Bracken |
box 3.7 |
|  Vigorous
bracken growth
Photo: Derek Robeson - FWAG
| Bracken
is a common plant which is unpalatable to stock and so can come to dominate large
areas. In dense stands it out competes and shades other vegetation and produces
a thick layer of litter. Species of our native ground flora can die out and other
invertebrates and reptiles reliant on bare ground may be lost. Its dense structure
can support some insects and spiders but these tend to be common species able
to live in many habitats. Some birds such as whinchat or nightjar will select
areas of sparse, open bracken as cover in which to nest particularly at the edge
of scrub or wooded habitats. |
- As soon as the detailed BEP Management
Plan has been prepared, complete and submit the standard multi-agency application
(with a copy of the BEP Management Plan scale map showing the area(s) to be treated)
to SEPA and send copies to SNH and the Local Authority Environmental Services.
The applicant (or contractor) will need to allow the consultees at least 15 working
days to consider and respond to the application for consent. Please note however
that, where only mechanical control is to be used, the consultations/notifications
requirements under the Control of Pesticides Regulations (1986) do not apply
- Submit
a properly completed claim for the first year's BEP management payment to SERAD
together with: letters of consent and the final version of the BEP Management
Plan with SNH-approved map. Such a claim will not be considered valid unless
accompanied by the required documentation
- In year 2, or in year 1 if all
the requirements detailed in the paragraphs above have first been met, carry out
primary treatment involving the treatment of bracken either with Asulam (or other
approved herbicide) or by cutting twice during the growing season. Cutting
will cause greater ground disturbance and could damage, disturb or destroy nests,
nestlings or sitting birds if carried out during the nesting season. Therefore,
within areas immediately surrounding nest sites, the first cut should be administered
by hand to minimise disturbance. It will be the applicant's responsibility to
ensure that the required prior notice is given to all statutory consultees in
advance of any aerial spraying and that the contractor is provided with a copy
of the map to ensure that the treatment is carried out in accordance with the
approved BEP management plan.
- Follow-up action will involve repeated annual
treatment to clear any bracken re-growth. Where chemical control is used, such
follow-up action normally requires a spot-treatment approach. If cutting is the
method adopted, it is essential that the programme of twice-yearly treatments
continues for the duration of the BEP. Only by repeated cutting of the bracken
fronds will the food reserves in the plant's rhizomes be depleted sufficiently
to cause its death.
|
Ferns such as this one will be damaged by herbicide application
Photo: Derek
Robeson - FWAG | Is bracken eradication always
appropriate? It is not always appropriate or indeed desirable to clear
bracken entirely from a site. Indeed, there are some situations in which bracken
is best left alone: - in gullies or steep slopes where regeneration
of more desirable vegetation will be difficult or impossible to achieve and soil
erosion may result
- over mires, gullies or within woodland where other
plant species, e.g. ferns, and plant communities may be damaged
- close
to ponds, lochs or watercourses
- on long-established dense stands of bracken
where no other plant species has survived beneath the canopy and a
programme of vegetation recovery is not feasible
- where a low density
of bracken cover can readily be maintained to conserve a valuable habitat for
early flowering plants, e.g. bluebell and violet, ground-nesting birds, e.g. twite,
and invertebrates, e.g. pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly.
The
locations of any such 'sensitive' sites with appropriate buffer zones must be
marked on the BEP Management Plan map to ensure their conservation. What
sort of commitment is involved? Clearing bracken from an area is a
long-term project. A bracken eradication programme will involve: the drawing
up of a detailed BEP Management Plan in Year 1; primary treatment by chemical
or mechanical means in year 2 (or in year 1 if all the requirements have first
been met) and aftercare spanning the remaining years of the RSS agreement. Such
aftercare may involve annual spot-treatment of any bracken re-growth or, if mechanical
control is adopted, continued twice-yearly cutting, also mechanical disturbance
or gathering of the litter and stock control where necessary). If the agreement
is renewed at the end of 5 years, the participant will be obliged to continue
with the follow-up action on the areas addressed under the BEP during the first
5 years. Bracken eradication should only be contemplated over an
area where there is reasonable prospect of achieving the desired result within
the timescale. For this reason, rather than attempt to treat too large an area
at the outset, you should concentrate your efforts upon a number of small blocks
- those where the regeneration of underlying vegetation is paramount. Where the
bracken canopy cover exceeds 75% at full frond stage, it should be clearly demonstrated
that vegetation of conservation interest would be enhanced through this measure.
The optimum size of the area(s) to be tackled under the Bracken Eradication Programme
will depend upon such factors as the methods that can be employed given the nature
of the terrain and the anticipated availability of labour and equipment at the
appropriate times. What detail is required on the Environmental Audit?
An outline only of the maximum extent of the area(s) to be covered by the
Bracken Eradication Programme (BEP) is to be drawn on the Environmental Audit
map submitted as part of the application to join the RSS. This will allow SERAD,
when appraising the application, to verify that the bracken infestation exists
at that location(s) and that it exists within an area of species-rich grassland,
coastal or lowland heath or moorland with conservation interest. It will
be assumed that 15% of this area will not be treated with herbicide in order to
protect sensitive species and habitats. Consequently, the figure used to calculate
the payment for this prescription will be restricted to 85% of the area outlined
on the EA map. Forward planning Forward planning is essential.
This will involve surveying each area and, based upon the results of the survey,
establishing the methods to be employed to carry out both the primary and follow-up
treatments and the resources required. The optimum period for mapping bracken
frond density and coverage is at full frond stage (mid/late June on the West Coast
to early August in the eastern Borders). The locations of any sensitive species
and habitats need to be identified and appropriate buffer zones set. < Previous | Contents | Next > | 
