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WORKSHOP REPORT 3
Management of moorland edge for priority
species
Report of a Workshop held at
ADAS Pwllpeiran
17 June 2003
1
Contents
BACKGROUND
4
MOORLAND EDGE HABITATS: DEVELOPMENT AND DISTRIBUTION - TIM
MILSOM (CENTRAL SCIENCE LABORATORY)
4
Description of moorland edge habitats
4
Development of moorland edge habitat
5
Distribution and composition of the moorland edge
6
Moorland edge and conservation of species and habitats
Vegetation
Invertebrates
Reptiles and Amphibians
Birds
8
8
8
9
9
Summary
9
MOORLAND EDGE MANAGEMENT – CLARE BURROWS (COUNTRYSIDE
COUNCIL FOR WALES)
10
Degraded Fridd zone
10
Management of specific habitats
Bracken
Woodland
Arable land
11
11
11
12
Summary
12
MANAGEMENT OF MOORLAND EDGE FOR BIRDS - SIAN WHITEHEAD
(COUNTRYSIDE COUNCIL FOR WALES)
13
Introduction
13
Community and species associations with Moorland Edge
Habitat associations identified by this study
Species associations based on other studies
Questions to be addressed
13
13
13
14
Fridd management
14
Management of moorland adjacent to forest edge
Experience from the RSPB black grouse recovery project
14
14
Summary
15
2
FIELD TRIP
16
Brignant biodiversity paddocks
16
Oak woodlands
16
Parc Vicarage wetland
16
Hafod Grasslands
17
Ty Coch bracken and scrub
17
SUMMARY
17
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
18
AUTHOR CONTACTS
18
REFERENCES
18
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Background
This workshop was held at ADAS Pwllpeiran in Cwmystwyth, and focused on the
conservation management of moorland edge. The workshop was prepared for land
managers and project officers with responsibility for these habitats and included formal
talks, informal discussions and a field visit to moorland edge habitats. The following
topics were discussed at the workshop:





The definition of moorland edge
The extent of moorland edge
Examples of moorland edge
How moorland edge habitats have developed
Management of moorland edge for plants, birds and other species
Moorland edge habitats: development and distribution - Tim Milsom
(Central Science Laboratory)
Description of moorland edge habitats
Moorland edge is described as the zone of transition between improved agricultural land
and moorland. It has characteristics of both intensively managed land and semi-natural
moorland. Pockets of moorland may be found within the moorland edge zone, whilst
conversely, pockets of moorland edge habitat can exist within moorland. Typical habitat
types are listed in Table 1. Classification of parcels of land into the moorland edge is not
always obvious, however, and may depend upon the size of the parcels and their adjacent
habitats. Some features, such as plantation forests or reservoirs, are large enough to be
considered features in their own right. Also there is no clear definition of moorland edge
based on vegetation type alone; thus large areas of unmanaged grass dominated by
species such as purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea) or mat grass (Nardus stricta), may
be considered to be moorland rather than moorland edge.
One of the most important characteristics of moorland edge is that it is a mosaic of small
habitat patches. The edge also tends to be more diverse than the surrounding agricultural
land, grassland or heather moorland (Table 1).
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Table 1: Habitat composition (mean % cover) of moorland edge and adjacent habitats in 12 uplands
of England and Wales
Habitat
Wood – deciduous
Wood - mixed broad leaved
Conifers – mature
Conifers -felled/new plantation
Scrub /gorse
Bracken
Dwarf shrub heath - dense ericaceous
Dwarf shrub heath - open
Agricultural Moorland Grassland Heather
edge
moorland
8
9
1
1
2
3
.
.
2
16
5
2
.
1
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
7
4
2
.
.
1
23
.
1
3
24
Grass -improved (intensive)
Grass -improved (hay/silage)
Grass -neutral (rough)
Grass -neutral (grazed)
Grass – calcareous (rough)
Grass – calcareous (grazed)
Grass – acid
Grass – acid (rough)
Grass – acid with Juncus
Grass – acid with
Nardus/Festuca/Molinia
51
9
1
2
3
3
1
.
.
.
2
.
2
25
9
1
12
1
1
5
.
.
.
9
2
.
44
1
.
26
.
.
.
5
1
.
16
.
.
8
Arable
Set-aside
Bare ground
Fen / marsh
Bog
16
.
.
.
.
.
2
.
.
.
.
.
1
.
12
1
.
Development of moorland edge habitat1
Moorland edge communities are the product of alternate phases of agricultural
improvement and abandonment which have been occurring since the 11th century, at least.
The changes in landuse along the moorland edge often give rise to a mosaic of habitats, at
various stages of improvement, e.g. reseeded pastures or small blocks of alien conifers, or
abandonment e.g. bracken beds, or scrub.. The management practices which have had the
1
Much of the survey work has been carried out by Parry et al. of Birmingham Univerity, and by Silsoe
College.
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greatest effect on the dynamics of the moorland edge have been, and continue to be,
grazing (including density, timing and species), agricultural improvement, agricultural
reversion and afforestation.
In the 19th and 20th centuries particularly, areas of rough grassland in the lower parts of
the moorland edge were agriculturally improved by draining, liming, fertilising, and then
enclosing them. Reversion took place as the drains became blocked and inputs reduced;
rough grass, bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) and scrub then invaded. This reversion,
which was particularly prominent in the Yorkshire Dales and Dartmoor, lasted until the
1970s and 80s. At this time agricultural improvement became widespread in some areas,
namely, central Wales and the Yorkshire Dales, Lake District and Snowdonia National
Parks though the ‘improvements’ were less evident in other areas. The situation in the
1990s and beyond is not yet clear, but it should become so as data from Environmentally
Sensitive Area (ESA) monitoring programs become available.
At the upper edge of the transition zone, moorland may be lost to moorland edge
communities through excessive burning or over-grazing by livestock. For example, burnt
heather moor might be invaded by bracken, whereas localised overgrazing or winter
grazing by livestock may result in loss of dwarf shrub and an increase in rough grasses.
The tendency in recent decades to graze sheep only rather than sheep and cattle may also
have contributed to the loss of species and diversity.
The planting of non-native coniferous forests has been evident particularly in
Northumberland, North York Moors, Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons. It has tended
to obliterate the moorland edge transition zone as few species survive in dense forests
except along the forest rides.
Distribution and composition of the moorland edge
Using satellite data from the Land Cover Map 2000, estimates of moorland edge in 12
upland regions of England and Wales have been made (Fig. 1). The total area of
moorland edge in the 12 regions is thought to be 680,175ha, ranging from 5,812ha in the
Shropshire Hill ESA, to 148,425ha in the North Pennine Dales. The proportion of hill
edge to moorland ranged from an estimated 31% in the North York Moors to 127% in the
Shropshire Hills and 203% in the Lake District. This latter estimate is considerably higher
than for the other regions and there is some concern about its accuracy.
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Region
Area of hill-edge as % of moorland area
0
50
100
150
200
250
North Pennines
Snowdonia
South Pennines
Lake District
Mid-Wales
Brecon Beacons
Northumberland
Dartmoor
Bowland
North York Moors
Exmoor
Shropshire Hills
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Area of hill-edge (ha * 1000)
Area
140
160
% of moor
Fig1: Estimates of moorland edge in 12 upland regions of England and Wales
Figure 2 shows that there is significant variation in habitat composition across the 12
upland areas of England and Wales. Natural and semi-natural grassland communities
dominate the moorland edge. Most of these are acidic grasslands but calcareous
grasslands are important in the North Pennines, Bowland and the Shropshire Hills, and
neutral grasslands in the North Pennines, Bowland and Northumberland. Conifers are a
dominant feature in Northumberland and the North York Moors, whilst deciduous
woodland cover is relatively high in Exmoor, Dartmoor and the North York Moors. Scrub
occurs in small, scattered areas and appears to be under threat. It includes the BAP
(Biodiversity Action Plan) priority species, juniper (Juniper communis subsp. communis),
stands of which can be found in the North Pennines. Continuous stands of bracken (which
are detectible from satellite images) comprise less than 5% of the moorland edge
communities; they appear to be particularly extensive in the Lake District and has
increased in recent years. Dwarf shrub heath, improved grassland and arable land are
generally seen as minor components of the moorland edge habitat in all areas.
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Region
Northumberland
Lake District
North Pennines
North York Moors
Bowland
South Pennines
Shropshire Hills
Snowdonia
Mid-Wales
Brecon Beacons
Exmoor
Dartmoor
Deciduous
wood
Conifers
Scrub &
bracken
Dwarf shrub
heath
Nat. & seminat. grass
Improved
grass
Arable
0
20
40
60
80
Cumulative % cover
100
Other
Fig 2: Regional variation in habitat composition of moorland edge
Moorland edge and conservation of species and habitats
The amount of information that is available on plant and animal species and their
requirements, and consequently their management, varies between species groups.
Generally, there is not enough information to form detailed management plans except for
a few targeted species such as black grouse (Tetrao tetrix). Many of the species found on
moorland edge can also be found in other areas, and others do not use the moorland edge
exclusively for all of their activities. Below is an overview of conservation issues within
different species groups.
Vegetation
Many of the vegetation communities of importance have been described in previous
sections of this report. Potential moorland edge communities for which there is a BAP
include upland heathland, upland calcareous grassland, upland mixed ash woods, native
pine woodlands, wet woodland, limestone pavements and blanket bog.
Maintaining the mosaic is probably more beneficial for biodiversity than protecting
individual communities, except perhaps where BAP priority species are an issue. Juniper
(Juniperis communis subsp. communis) for instance, is under threat primarily because of
high stocking rates. Juniper should be grazed lightly in summer only. Short swards with
gaps are required for seedling establishment and this has been most successful when
grazing pressures have varied over time.
Invertebrates
Upland invertebrates are more diverse than upland plants and mammals. They benefit
from the mosaic of habitats as well as from variations in plant structure and topography.
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Wet flushes may also be beneficial. Management that is detrimental to invertebrates
includes agricultural improvement, heavy grazing and afforestation as these practices
reduce diversity and structure. BAP species include High brown fritillary (Argynnis
adippe) and Pearl bordered fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne). Management to promote these
is described later in this report.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Little is known of the requirements of these species in the uplands though it is thought
that the common frog, the common toad and palmate newt require wet habitats. Other
species include the lizard and adder and none of them are found exclusively on moorland
edge.
Birds
Two species of birds, Black Grouse (Tetrao tetrix) and Red Kite (Milvus milvus) (Welsh
population only), are specialists of the moorland edge, whilst several other species, which
nest on moorland or cliffs, use it as a feeding habitat. This latter group includes:

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

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Golden plover (Pluvialis apricaria)
Curlew (Numenius arquata)
Ring ouzel (Turdus torquatus)
Twite (Carduelis flavirostris)
Merlin (Falco columbarius)
Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
Moorland edge may also act as a refuge for several lowland bird species that are in
retreat, such as:
 Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)
 Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)
 Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra)
Most moorland edge species have declined in England and Wales, red kite and twite are
exceptions. The causes of this are not fully understood, but it is believed that agricultural
improvement has a negative affect on many bird populations, particularly ground-nesting
species. Also, whilst young coniferous plantations might be exploited by black grouse,
short – eared owl (Asio flammeus), hen harrier (Circus cyaneus) and whinchat, they will
be deserted as the canopy becomes more dense.
This subject is treated in more detail later in the report.
Summary
The moorland edge landscape has been shaped by a cycle of agricultural improvement
and reversion. This has created the typical mosaic of communities that is important for
the promotion of biodiversity, though many species associations with moorland edge are
poorly understood. Agricultural improvement, which is thought to be detrimental to
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moorland edge biodiversity, was widespread in the 1970s and 80s whilst data for more
recent years is not yet available. It is hoped that the advent of ESA, Countryside
Stewardship and Tir Gofal Schemes will have reversed the trend of the 1980s. There is,
perhaps a need for prescriptions within these schemes that promote and maintain the
mosaic of habitats found within the moorland edge zone.
Moorland edge management – Clare Burrows (Countryside Council for
Wales)
Moorland edge can be a very variable land type and in Wales, is commonly known as
Fridd land. The following is a list of all habitats larger than 1km2, found on Welsh
moorland edge. The habitats are listed in order of frequency, but the list is not exhaustive.

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









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Improved grassland
Acid grassland
Dense bracken
Conifer plantation
Broadleaved woodland
Acid dry heath
Juncus dominated wet grassland
Semi-improved wet grassland
Molinia dominated wet grassland
Acid flush
Wet heath
Scrub
Neutral grassland
Moorland edge typically consists of a higher diversity of habitat than the moorland per se,
and it is believed that the moorland edge supports a diversity of species, though research
is still in its infancy. The majority of the species that utilise moorland edge are not
specialist to one habitat but exploit the diversity of habitats present. For example, the dark
green fritillary butterfly (Argynnis aglaja), requires a mosaic of two-thirds wet grass to
one-third bracken with adjacent scrub. This combination is now unlikely to be found in
the lowlands and consequently moorland edge has become an important refuge for this
species.
Degraded Fridd zone
The moorland edge has often degraded at the lower edge where land has been
agriculturally improved (as described previously in this report). In these cases there is
scope for landscape re-creation, but before any re-creation plan is embarked on, existing
species should be considered. Short unfertilised swards, which are apparently species
poor, may be home to wax cap fungi (Hygrophoraceae) for instance. If more than ten
species of this fungi are present at a site it would be considered to be a site of national
importance and clearly, such habitats should not be interfered with.
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Management of specific habitats
Bracken
High brown fritillary and pearl-bordered fritillary are two BAP priority species that can
be found in bracken.
The high brown fritillary has declined dramatically in England and Wales since the
1950s, and is now found on about 50 sites. The butterfly used to be found in coppice
woodland, much of which has now been lost to bracken communities, which do
consequently have a similar flora to the coppice woodland. The species is now found on
bracken slopes on moorland edge land in the west of the UK. It has declined partly
because of a lack of management of bracken, for example a decline in the practice of
cutting bracken for livestock bedding.
Adult high brown fritillaries are on the wing from July to August, and require nectar
sources such as thistles and brambles to be present close to their breeding sites. The eggs
are laid within a few centimetres from the larval food plant. Since eggs overwinter, they
require a substrate that is unlikely to rot, and bracken is ideal for this. The eggs hatch in
spring and require warmth, which is provided by the litter, which is effective in trapping
warm air. Larvae require an abundant food supply of violets, particularly the common dog
violet (Viola riviana) which can be found in bracken litter. Habitat management for the
high brown fritillary may include grazing with cattle or horses in winter and spring at a
rate low enough for the litter layer to develop, but high enough to prevent bracken
becoming dense enough to shade out the violets and to prevent grasses growing. Some
light summer grazing may also be beneficial, though grazing by sheep is not suitable.
The pearl-bordered fritillary has a similar ecology and habitat requirement to the high
brown. Its range has also contracted out of coppice woodland onto bracken covered
slopes, especially south facing ones. The adults fly from late March to May, and feed on
bugle (Ajuga reptans), ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) and blue bell (Hyacythoides
non-scriptus) close to the breeding site. The larvae also feed on common dog violet.
It has been suggested that these butterfly species exist in population clusters
(metapopulations) i.e. a number of local populations connected by occasional dispersal.
This feature may enable the butterflies to adapt readily to changes in habitat suitability,
with populations becoming extinct in localised areas as habitat suitability wanes and
colonising new areas of habitat as they become suitable. Creation of new areas of suitable
habitat within range of a local fritillary population may help to enhance the persistence of
these species.
Woodland
As mentioned previously there are a number of upland woodland habitats for which there
is a Habitat Action Plan. Patches of woodland add to the biodiversity of the moorland
edge not only in terms of plant species, but also because of the structure that contrasts
with that of the grassier habitats and so provides habitats for a wider range of animals.
11
Agri-environment schemes encourage woodland to be fenced off. There are, however,
four potential types of woodland management:
 Non-intervention in which grazing is excluded. Since herbivory is part of the natural
woodland processes, exclusion can result in highly competitive species dominating the
wood.
 High forest, in which mature trees are removed for timber
 Coppice. This is worth re-instating if there has been a recent history of coppicing i.e.
in the last 20-30 years. Otherwise it is not recommended as long established species,
such as lichens, can be damaged.
 Wood pasture, which is a traditional management regime. Under this regime, moderate
grazing is permitted to prevent dominance by aggressive species. Establishing the
correct stocking rate to maintain a diverse mixture of regenerating tree species is
difficult. As a guide, it is suggested that within a 100 year cycle, the woodland should
be grazed at 0.05 LSU (livestock units) ha-1 for 15 continuous years and the remaining
years at 0.6 LSU ha-1. If management of such a wood has just been adopted, an
assessment of the amount of tree regeneration already occurring should be made. If it
is reasonably healthy then the 100-year cycle can be entered at the higher stocking rate.
A particular disadvantage for this regime is that agri-environment scheme agreements
are set for a maximum ten-year period only, which is too short a period for this regime.
Arable land
Arable cropping on the upland fringes used to be common, comprising up to one third of
land in arable production. It has declined because conditions are less suitable than they
are in the lowlands and profits were frequently uncertain. Arable cropping can add to the
diversity of the moorland edge and has been encouraged under Tir Gofal and the
Countryside Stewardship Scheme.
In Tir Gofal the arable option has had a reasonable uptake thanks partly to the setting up
of machinery rings, but also because a crop which fails to ripen can optionally be made
into arable silage.
Unsprayed arable crops on moorland edges are very valuable for nectar supplying plant
species such as:




shepherd’s-needle (Scandix pecten-veneris)
corn marigold (Chrysanthemum segetum)
cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
small flowered catchfly (Silene gallica)
In addition, the overwintering stubble provides seed and is therefore a valuable extra food
source for birds.
Summary
In conclusion, it appears that in order to enhance the biodiversity value of moorland edge
habitats:
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 a diverse mix of habitats is important
 management should be planned at a landscape scale
 consideration should be given to what species already exist and their habitat
requirements, before altering current management practices.
Management of moorland edge for birds - Sian Whitehead
(Countryside Council for Wales)
Introduction
Moorland edge is considered to be a transition community that is neither open moor nor
semi-improved land. Moorland edge can consist of many diverse communities such as
grass, bracken, gorse or hawthorn, on which a rich range of birds from the passerine,
wader and raptor groups are wholly or partially dependant.
Community and species associations with Moorland Edge
Survey work carried out by the RSPB in the 1980s and recently analysed by the BTO2,
has shown that there is a gradient in moorland edge community trends in Wales. In the
north west, moorland edge communities tend to be dominated by grass or heather/bilberry
(Calluna vulgaris/Vaccinium myrtillus) whilst those in the south east tend to be smaller
and dominated by bracken. The survey also established some broad habitat and species
associations with the moorland edge communities.
Habitat associations identified by this study
 grass supports meadow pipit (Anthus pratensis), wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe),
skylark (Alauda arvensis) and ring ouzel
 bracken supports redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus), yellowhammer (Emberiza
citrinella), tree pipit (Anthus trivialis) and whinchat (Saxicola rubetra)
 gorse supports stonechat (Saxicola torquata), dunnock (Prunella modularis) (hedge
accentor) and linnet
Species associations based on other studies
 Breeding waders such as curlew, golden plover and lapwing tend to favour more
grassy areas for nesting and feeding. Wet flushes are also favoured for feeding in late
summer. Groups of trees are avoided as these provide nesting and perching for corvid
predators.
 Raptors such as red kite nest in woodland and hunt for carrion over the moorland edge.
 Ground nesting raptors such as hen harrier (Circus cyaneus), merlin and short eared
owl (Asio flammeus) nest in the heather and hunt in grassier areas for voles and
meadow pipits.
 Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), which is a BAP high priority species, forages
extensively on the acid grassland of Snowdonia.
2
The information presented here has been released by kind permission by RSPB and BTO on the
understanding that it is to be used by POs for training purposes, but does not go beyond this report.
13
Questions to be addressed
 Are geographical differences a consequence of topography, climate, soil or land use?
 Can moorland edge be characterised?
 Can current vegetation be interpreted in terms of historic land use?
 What is the influence of mosaics on bird communities?
 What is the role of scrub and trees in bird-habitat relationships
Fridd management
There is a lack of knowledge concerning these edge communities (i.e. moorland edge not
including coniferous forest) but they do appear to be important for birds. Until more
information is available that would enable specific management prescriptions to be
developed, they should be maintained by using appropriate grazing management,
maintaining or creating wet areas, and preventing the use of fertilisers.
Management of moorland adjacent to forest edge
The edge of a coniferous plantation is a much simpler habitat than the Fridd communities.
It is traditionally a hard, wind-firm forest stand abutting moorland and is potentially a
valuable habitat for black grouse (Tetrao tetrix) and nightjar (Caprimulgus ruficollis),
both of which are BAP priority species. For more information on the black grouse BAP,
see www.gct.org.uk/research/blackgrouse
Experience from the RSPB black grouse recovery project3
The black grouse recovery project started in 1999 as a response to a 50% decline of the
Welsh population that has occurred since 1986. The BAP objective was to reduce the
decline by half. Habitat management was undertaken in six key areas in mid and north
Wales. The aim was to create and enhance favourable habitat at various spatial scales
through a range of habitat prescriptions. Management for black grouse involves four
habitat types: upland heath, bogs and flushes, bracken and forest.
Upland heath
Heather and bilberry provide food, cover and a habitat for black grouse to nest in. Cutting
or burning maintains the heather at various stages; young shoots are nutritious whilst long
heather is used for nesting. Drainage ditches should be blocked, possibly using brash
from the areas of heather that have been cut. This will help to re-wet areas and prevent
deaths of chicks which might otherwise fall in.
Bogs and f lus hes
Cotton grass (Eriophorum vaginatum) flowers are an important food source for the hens
in spring. These wet areas are usually rich in insects that are eaten by hens and broods in
summer.
3
The information presented here has been released by kind permission by RSPB on the understanding that
it is to be used by POs for training purposes, but does not go beyond this report.
14
Brac k en
Bracken provides cover but is of little dietary value, and control should be considered if it
is an invasive threat.
Fores t
Forest coups (blocks of trees) with 15-40% canopy are preferred by black grouse. These
provide sufficient understory for feeding whilst minimising the risk of predation since
predators require cover. Forest thinning can be carried out at the forest edge in order to
create a mosaic of partly covered and open areas. Trees should be felled such that the
forest becomes gradually thinner as it approaches the moor edge, it will then blend into
the moor rather than having the undesirable hard edge. Table 2 shows a suggested scheme
for thinning within the forest and planting on the moor.
Table 2: Idealised plan for thinning forest edge
Open moor
Tree cover (%)
Density (trees/ha)
Distance
from
open moor (m)
Conifer plantation
Band1
Band 2
Band 3
Band 4
10
20-50
60-80
100
440-1200
>1320
2200
41-85
86-100
50
broad 220
leaved
0-40
This management should only be carried out on young plantations since older stands are
wind firm and felling within them could result in many other trees falling. The cut
brashings can be used to block drainage ditches. On the moor, broad leaved trees can be
planted at a rate of less than 50ha-1.
This management may also benefit nightjar (Caprimulgus europeus).
Summary
When managing moorland edge it is recommended that mosaics of communities and
gradients of successional habitats are maintained or created. This will optimise breeding
and feeding areas for bird assemblages, whilst their loss will result in loss of the
associated bird communities.
15
Field trip
The aim of the field trip was to visit a selection of moorland edge habitats and discuss
their management.
Brignant biodiversity paddocks
This is a species poor grassy area which was ‘improved’ in the late 1950s under the
Cornhill improvement scheme which encouraged upland areas to be ploughed and
reseeded with rye grass and white clover. It then continued to have annual dressings of
fertiliser. In 1996 an experiment was set up to investigate ‘methods of maintaining and
enhancing botanical diversity in upland ESA swards’.
The management regimes were as follows:







normal management
haycut and aftermath grazing (+lime)
haycut and aftermath grazing (-lime)
grazing only (-lime)
grazing only (+lime)
hay cut only (-lime)
hay cut only (+lime)
The results showed that cutting for hay reduced the cover of rye grass and maintained the
cover (13%) and number (13) of desirable forb species. Hay cut with aftermath grazing
increased the botanical value still further with a mean of 19 forb species on the unlimed
and 23 on the limed plots.
The findings of this work are useful for managers of moorland edge, though before any
change in management, such as incorporating hay cuts and adding lime, is implemented,
the current use of the land by other species groups and the implications for them should
be considered. Proposed changes should be also evaluated in the context of the
surroundings; if the area is dominated by species poor grassland it may be possible to
manage a part of it for hay.
Oak woodlands
The woodland was planted up in the 1990s on a piece of neglected middle hill ground that
consisted of rough grass and a small amount of gorse. It is currently not managed and as
the trees are growing quite slowly it currently can be described as transitional scrub and
gorse. This habitat is very good for passerines.
Parc Vicarage wetland
This wetland was created by fencing off a wet area that had been part of an intensively
managed paddock. It is managed under an ESA tier 2 agreement and is lightly grazed by
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cattle in spring and late summer. 147 species were identified by a botanist, including 20
lichens and lichenicolous fungi and 15 fungi.
Bracken and common dog violet are both present along with some scrub and the site is
therefore ideal for dark green fritillary. No further management is required to control the
bracken; grazing by cattle should prevent it from spreading.
Hafod Grasslands
These acid/acid neutral grasslands are part of the Hafod estate that has many designations
including SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and SPA (Special Protection Area).
The grasslands, which are grazed by sheep, are dominated by common bent (Agrostis
capillaris) and are botanically unexceptional. The site is important however for its
colonies of yellow meadow ant (Lasius flavus) and their anthills are numerous here. The
anthills can only develop if the disturbance to the sward is minimal; cattle grazing would
therefore be inappropriate. The sward needs to be kept short however as the anthills need
to be warmed by the sun, if temperatures drop too low, the anthills are abandoned.
The site is also important for fungi and 208 species have been identified here including
some red data book species. The fungi also require the sward to be short.
This is therefore an example of a site that may not initially appear to be of value, but it is
clearly important not to attempt to improve the vegetation and sheep grazing at the
current levels appears to be the appropriate management regime. Prior to setting new
management prescriptions it is important to consider all the taxonomic groups.
Ty Coch bracken and scrub
This is an area of middle hill that is unimproved and has been only very lightly grazed
since the 1960s. Bracken and scrub are therefore increasing in dominance. This is ideal
habitat for whinchat for which Wales is a stronghold. It nests under the bracken and uses
the fronds as perches. Grazing with cattle, as recommended earlier in this report, would
open the sward and increase its suitability for butterflies as well as whinchat.
Where bracken is difficult to control and is not suitable for managing for butterflies, it
may be possible to plant trees and create woodland. Presence of bracken is often an
indicator of an area that was once woodland.
Summary
From the discussions and comments received during the workshop, it is evident that
considerable knowledge gaps remain concerning the management of the moorland edge,
particularly with respect to managing the mosaic of habitats present within this transition
zone. This mosaic is important for bird and lepidopteran populations, as individual
species may use different elements of the mosaic for breeding and feeding. Moorland
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edge may also offer an important refuge to bird species that are declining in the lowlands.
Given these knowledge gaps, the management of moorland edge within existing or
proposed agri-environment schemes may need to be reviewed, particularly to determine
whether agri-environment prescriptions applied to surrounding land types have any
knock-on effects for this transitional zone. For example, does the implementation of
reduced stocking rates on heather moorland cause Ffridd land to be utilised more heavily?
Moorland edge offers considerable potential for biodiversity conservation and this
potential needs to be characterised and quantified.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Tim Milsom, Clare Burrows and Sian Whitehead for their
presentations, contributions to the field trip and comments on the report, Sarah
Hetherington for chairing the formal session, John Wildig for arranging the field trip,
Richard Crompton for talking about the Hafod Estate, Sian Lloyd, Mandy Cowie and
Barabara Mclean for help with domestic arrangements and logistical support.
Author contacts
For further copies of this report, contact Helen Adamson at ADAS Redesdale, Rochester,
Otterburn, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE19 1SB, or Dr. Sarah Gardner at ADAS Preston, 15
Eastway Business Village, Preston, Lancs, PR2 4WT.
References
Milsom, T.P., Aegerter, J., Bishop, J.D., Allcock, J.A., Barker, D., Boatman, N.D., Hill,
V., Jones, N., Marshall, J., Mckay, N.V., Moore, N.P. & Roberston, P.A. (2003) Review
of hill-edge habitats in the uplands of England and Wales. Unpublished report to Defra
Conservation Management Division (contract no. BD1235).
Parry, M.L., Bruce, A. & Harkness, C.E. (1982). Surveys of moorland and roughland
change Series. University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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