Download problems on heathland

PROBLEMS ON HEATHLAND
The principle urban threats addressed by the Urban Heaths Partnership are:
Trampling
Trampling by walkers, bicycles, motorbikes, motor vehicles and horses venturing off pathways causes damage to the heathland
vegetation diversity, causing erosion of the fragile substrate and can crush animals and their eggs.
Fire
Fire has both immediate and long-term effects. There will be deaths amongst more sedentary animals and the loss of cover results
in others being predated. Heathland vegetation can take twenty years to recover from the effects of fire, also permanent changes
can result e.g. by encouraging encroachment of less desirable vegetation. Fires also pose a danger to local residents and their
property, nearby roads, visitors, and fire fighters.
Disturbance
Disturbance from human activities reduces breeding success for heathland birds. Ground nesting birds are particularly vulnerable
to disturbance, not just from people but from their dogs, which are far more likely to stray from paths and actively seek out birds and
their nests. Increased use of heathland for off road cycling and motorcycling, will cause soil erosion, disturbance and damage to
heath habitats. Sand lizard and invertebrate breeding sites are particularly at risk from this sort of erosion. Similar disturbance and
erosion of sandy tracks can be caused by horse riders. The hydrology of heathland wetland can be disrupted through drainage
interception and enriched urban water discharges.
Soil Enrichment & Degradation
Soil enrichment and habitat change through is caused through enrichment by dog faeces. Dumping or fly tipping of garden and
other waste leads to increased degradation of the heathland habitats. This physically smothers the heath vegetation and enriches
the soil, changing the habitat and can introduce invasive species.
Predation
Predation by domestic animals of birds and reptiles and an increased number of predatory species adapted to urban conditions
(e.g. foxes, crows) could affect breeding success of ground nesting birds especially Dartford warblers
Unfavourable Public Perception
Unfortunately, for much of the latter part of the twentieth century heathland, and in particular urban heathland, was seen as
wasteland, that would probably be built on one day. This perception could lead to misuse such as littering and tipping, which
further detracted from the heathlands’ value in the eyes of the public creating a cycle of abuse and unfavourable public perception.
POINTS TO REMEMBER WHEN DEALING WITH INCIDENTS
The following is a list to help record all the necessary information at an incident:
THE OBVIOUS IS THE EASIEST TO OVERLOOK!!!
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Time, day, date, exact location.
Daylight, dusk or dark?
Rain or shine?
Registration numbers seen
What initially did you see, how were you alerted?
If alerted by member of public record their details
Did you call emergency services?
SUSPECTS
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Who did what exactly?
Have you see them before?
What clothing?
What did you see prior to this?
What way did they go?
Was anything said?
What was ‘different’ about them?
Would you recognise again? Can you definitely state that individual did it? (in court!!)
How long did you see them for?
Did you have a clear & unobstructed view?
Any vehicles, motorbikes or cycles?
Who else may have seen them?
Have you been injured or affected in any way