Lead Partner: Natural England
Priority Habitats and Species:
| Upland Dry Heath | Targets |
| Species-rich Upland Acid Grassland | Targets |
| Northern Dart (moth) | Targets |
Upland Dry Heath
Upland dry heath is found mostly on land between 250m and 600m on mineral soils and thin peats throughout the uplands of the UK. Lowland heath is found on land below 250m whereas montane heath is generally found above 600m. It is characterized by the presence of dwarf shrubs at a cover of at least 25%. A range of dwarf shrubs including heather, bilberry and crowberry typically dominates dry upland heath in good condition. In the south and west of the UK western gorse, and in the north European gorse and occasionally juniper, is seen above the heathland understorey. High quality heaths are generally structurally diverse with a range of age classes of heather present.
Much of the value of upland heath sites lies in their mosaic with acid grassland, blanket bog, flushes and other fen habitats. There is a separate plan covering blanket bog and upland wet heath.
Upland heath is found on all the major upland blocks within the UK from Dartmoor to Shetland, giving a total of between 2 and 3 million hectares, over half of which is found in Scotland.
Dwarf shrub heaths are of international importance as they are largely confined in Europe to the UK and the western seaboard of mainland Europe.
The upland heathlands of Durham are found mainly in the North Pennines natural area. They are recognised as being of national and international importance, in particular the North Pennine Moors SPA, and Moor House and Upper Teesdale SAC.
The northern dart moth is a UKBAP priority species associated with heathland habitats. Its distribution in the Durham BAP area is unknown, with historic records only for Teesdale.
Upland dry heath is also important for the following Durham BAP priority species, which are the subject of separate action plans: hen harrier; merlin; ring ouzel; black grouse; curlew; snipe; lapwing; redshank; adder; slow worm; round-mouthed whorl snail and yellow marsh saxifrage
Acid Grassland
Acid grassland is a component of dry upland heath, often a dominant one. For the purposes of the Durham BAP, where it is part of a mosaic with heather it is counted as an integral part of the priority habitat upland dry heath. Where large tracts of acid grassland exist in the absence of heath it is not.
There are four main types of acid grassland in the North Pennines, distinguished by their dominant species. Although the dominants vary, the other constituent plants occurring within the communities are similar and generally few in number. Typical are: sweet vernal-grass, common woodrush, heath bedstraw, tormentil, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus (a moss) and Dicranum scoparium (a moss).
The most abundant of the acid grasslands are those dominated by mat-grass. Often these habitats are very poor in other species being derived from overgrazing of upland heath. They are popularly referred to as ‘white moor’.
Mixtures of sheep’s fescue and common bent dominate the second type which is often a little species-richer and has developed over better soils, containing other herbs such as dog violet.
A relatively small proportion of the acid grassland total is accounted for by grasslands in which wavy hair-grass is dominant. This species is a common constituent of other acid grassland types but is particularly favoured by burning and may become locally or temporarily prominent.
Grasslands in which heath rush is the dominant species develop extensively only in wetter situations, typically over shallow peat on the moorland edge.
Where upland acid grassland is not particularly species-rich then consideration should be given to alternative development pathways which may benefit biodiversity. Restoration to dry upland heath is one option, reforestation towards native semi-natural woodland or juniper scrub may be another in appropriate locations, especially where it links existing ancient or semi-natural woodland, or where it might benefit other Durham BAP species such as black grouse. Another option where required might be its use as layback land for a grazing scheme targeted at priority habitats nearby.
Species-rich upland acid grassland
Most upland acid grassland is relatively species-poor but occasionally very species-rich examples are found which are closely related to the NVC community U4c. This is a poorly understood type of grassland. The description in British Plant Communities is based only on a small number of samples from the Peak District. In 2006 and 2007 similar vegetation was found several times, in mostly small patches on unmown banks within upland hay meadows in the North Pennines, but it may also occur in other situations in the uplands. A definition of this priority habitat based on experience in the North Pennines has now been developed.
Waxcap and other fungi are often associated with acid grassland and there are some important sites in the North Pennines. There is a separate plan for waxcap grassland.
Current or recent activity
2004-05 – Northumbrian Water Ltd. - native trees, shrubs, heather, bilberry and native moorland grasses planted at Wear Valley Treatment Works to improve the surrounding landscape for black grouse.
2000-04 - Northumbrian Water Ltd - Heathland rejuvenation at Pow Hill - cutting of mosaic to re-introduce structure and age diversity within heather. Suitable reptile hibernaculae and basking areas created.
1999 – 2005 - Northumbrian Water Ltd. - Pow Hill Heathland management plan drawn up and bracken cover mapped for monitoring. (In association with Durham County Council).
1999 – 2005 – Northumbrian Water Ltd – Heathland and wetland NVC survey and monitoring along Riddings Burn, Pow Hill, including butterflies and reptile survey
Threats
- Over-grazing – leading to the removal of dwarf shrub heath leaving acid grassland.
- Under-grazing- allowing domination by trees and scrub.
- Winter foddering of stock which leads to localised overgrazing and poaching.
- Badly managed heather burning or wildfire.
- Recreation pressure, especially use of motorised off-road vehicles.
- Isolation of habitat- loss of connecting moorland habitats.
- Loss of habitat- through planting of conifers or agricultural intensification.
- Loss of variety of habitat- intensive management for heather and grouse production, leading to a decrease in the mosaic quality of upland moorlands.
Objectives
- Safeguard key sites and ensure appropriate management for BAP species.
- Create new habitat on suitable sites and restore degraded sites.
- Raise awareness and understanding of the biodiversity value and importance of upland dry heath habitats.
- Protect and maintain the existing populations of northern dart on all known sites
Actions
| Upland Dry Heath Actions | ||||
| Action priorities | Action contact | Action partners | Goal | Date |
| 1. Determine location and extent of species-rich examples of acid grassland | Durham Biodiversity Partnership | DBP, Botany Group | ||
| 2. Agree burning plans on all SSSI heathlands | Miriam Baines | NE | ||
| 3. Instigate dialogue with Fire Authority regarding wildfires on important sites. | Durham Biodiversity Partnership | DBP,DCC, NE, FC, AONB | ||
| 4. Determine location and extent of upland dry heath outside of designated sites | Durham Biodiversity Partnership | DBP, Botany Group | ||
More information
Backshall, J., Manley, J. & Rebane, M. (Eds). (1999). The Upland Management Handbook. Natural England, Peterborough.
Natural England (1996). Management of bare ground on dry grasslands and heathlands Peterborough
Lane, A. (1992). Practical Conservation- grasslands, heaths and moors (The Open University in association with the Nature Conservancy Council). Open University: London
Putwain, P.D. and Rae, P.A.S. (1998) Heathland restoration: a handbook of techniques British Gas: Southampton
Rodwell, J.S. (1992) British Plant Communities. Vol. 2 ‘Mires and heaths Cambridge University Press: Cambridge
