    
|
|
Project Aims
The Coversands Tomorrow’s Heathland Heritage (THH) Project has the
following main aims:
- To restore 700 hectares of lowland heathland
– contributing 1.2% of the national Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP)
target.
- To re-create 250 hectares of lowland heathland
– contributing 4.16% of the national BAP target.
- To provide local communities and visitors
with increased access opportunities onto the existing heathland.
- To create new access opportunities on
the re-created heathland.
- To achieve greater community awareness
and appreciation of the heathland’s geology and ecology, through
promoting public involvement in volunteer management schemes and community
forums.
- To provide on-site interpretation boards
and literature to improve understanding of the heathland resource.
- To provide and co-ordinate expert technical
advice between the partner organisations and develop a training programme
to improve heathland management skills.
- Following consultation with the partner
organisations, develop a sustainable management policy, involving specified
grazing regimes and the co-ordinated use of a machinery pool.
IMPLEMENTATION PL
AN
The Heathland restoration and re-creation plans contain a variety
of techniques. Certain sites will require only one method of management,
while others will require several methods complimenting one another.
Bracken Control
Invasion by bracken is a significant problem on many heathland sites in
the Coversands. Following the clearance of trees and dense scrub, bracken,
ragwort and bramble, invades the heathland itself, and if left unchecked,
stifles the ability of heathland flora to re-establish itself.
Mechanical treatment is the preferred method, essentially involving the
use of the bracken bruiser, which controls the density and height of the
bracken plant. Cutting of bracken on an annual basis also reduces the
problem. However, chemical treatment of bracken may be required, particularly
on uneven ground.
Scrub Clearance
Scrub clearance methods largely depend on the age and extent of the scrub.
Large scale operations will involve the use of mechanical equipment, whereas
small scale work can be undertaken using loppers and bow saws. Mature
trees will remain to create a habitat mosaic.
Grazing
Several heathland sites are currently grazed to increase the biodiversity
of the habitat. Using the extensive experience of the Lincolnshire Wildlife
Trust (LWT), a Shepherd is responsible for ensuring that the grazing regimes
achieve maximum benefit. Grazing is undertaken by over 200 Hebridean sheep
and a small number of Dexter cattle. Hebridean sheep graze on sites such
as Linwood Warren, Scotton Common, Risby Warren, Laughton Forest and Kirkby
Moor during the months of May to October. They are then moved off the
heathland to over-winter on low input pasture lands. Grazing is an important
factor in maintaining good quality lowland heath. The extensive Coversands
were initially created and maintained by sheep grazing alongside rabbits
and possibly deer. Grazing produces ideal habitats and reduces the encroachment
of a number of invasive species, such as birch and rough grasses.
Heather Seeding
Where land has been subjected to aforestation, heathland will most likely
regenerate naturally. It may be necessary to remove the litter layer on
the surface, and in some cases, scarification of the soil surface may
be required to bring the seed bank to the top. Scarification is a useful
technique in the reinstatement of the heather sward.
Click
for next page - Partners
|
|
|
|
