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THE RURAL STEWARDSHIP SCHEME 10. Management of
Lowland Heath
| Aim: To protect native lowland heath and
encourage the regeneration of the plants and provide breeding and feeding grounds
for the animals found in the area Some BAP species that may benefit:
Nightjar, Skylark Eligible sites: An area of Lowland
Heath | Management Requirements: - Bracken
and scrub cover should not be allowed to exceed a total of 5% cover on the site.
In these cases, bracken and scrub control will be an ongoing management operation.
- Livestock must be excluded between 1 November and 28 February.
- At
other times grazing levels must not exceed 0.3 LU/ha.
Lowland heath, generally found below 300 metres in altitude, is usually characterised
by plants such as heather, dwarf gorse and cross-leaved heath. In amongst the
heather layer, there are generally scattered areas of trees and scrub.
Photo: John Robinson
| Lowland Heath
| box 3.10 |
| Lowland heaths have
a long history of farming management and typically have thin nutrient-poor acid
soils where the combined effects of grazing and other activities have created
a complex mosaic rich in wildlife. Lowland heath usually consists of at least
25% cover of dwarf shrubs, although in more exposed areas it may be less. Birds
such as the nightjar (particularly on heath next to woodland), reptiles, invertebrates
and lichens all inhabit these areas. Lowland heath, now a rare habitat,
is often threatened by a lack of grazing leading to the encroachment of trees
and scrub and the loss of wildlife. Conservation of this habitat will be
best achieved by adopting a low intensity grazing regime to prevent scrub encroachment
and encourage heather regeneration. The objective is to achieve an appropriate
level of grazing to maintain the open habitat with a heather layer of varying
heights and structures, some areas of scattered trees and scrub, and some areas
of bare ground. | 
Nightjar
Lowland heaths are of major importance to nightjars. This bird has declined
in its distribution, although it is found in southern/central Scotland as well
as a few other locations where suitable heathland is found. Nightjars nest on
bare ground amongst heather or sparse bracken at woodland/scrub edges.
Photo: John Robinson | < Previous | Contents | Next > | 
