Upland Habitat Management. Upland Britain 40% of UK land.
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Transcript of Upland Habitat Management. Upland Britain 40% of UK land.
Upland HabitatUpland HabitatManagementManagement
Upland BritainUpland Britain
40% of 40% of UK UK landland
Defining uplandsDefining uplands
Abiotic factors• Microclimate• Topography• Geology• Soil type
How do these compare with lowlands?
MoorlandMoorland
Upland HeathUpland Heath
Heathland speciesHeathland species
Heather ( ling )Cross leaved heath
Bell Heather
Bilberry
In wetter areas
Westerngorse
Purple moor grass and bracken
Blanket bogBlanket bog
Cotton grass
Bog Asphodel
Sphagnum moss
Sundew
BrackenBracken
Acid grasslandAcid grassland
Limestone pavementLimestone pavement
Arctic/alpineArctic/alpine
Role of the uplandsRole of the uplands• Wildlife
– uplands support a range of internationally important habitats and species.
– home for special flora and fauna;
• Store (and potential sink) of carbon in peat and other soils;
• Water– a sponge to retain rainwater and release it slowly, delivering
consistent and safe water supplies in the lowlands.
– Between 70% and 90% of our drinking water comes from surface water, the majority gathered in the uplands.
• Outdoor recreation and health
• Landscapes – nearly 4 million ha are included in the UK-wide network of National
Parks, National Scenic Areas and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
• Business– Agriculture and land based businesses increasingly rely on service
jobs, visitors and rural support measures.– Tourism increasingly important
Carbon factsCarbon facts
• UK uplands store 5 billions tonnes of carbon
• 1 billion tonnes in Scottish blanket bogs
• Pristine peat lands in England and Wales can absorb 40,000 tonnes of carbon per year
• Damage due to excessive burning, drainage and overgrazing could release 380,000 tonnes of carbon per year.
ThreatsThreats
• Drainage• Agricultural
improvement• Peat cutting• Overgrazing
– Bracken invasion
• Afforestation
• Lack of management– Undergrazing– Scrub invasion
• Development• Fire• Open access• Air pollution• Global warming
Black grouse managementBlack grouse management
•Felling creates open woodland
•Ditches filled with brash prevent chicks becoming trapped
•Peat dams built to create pools, are crucial for insects that chicks feed on