Arable - Purbeck

Arable Habitats - Purbeck


LBAP Home	Habitats	Common themes

Similar SW LBAPs	Regional Plan	UK National Plan	Link to LBAP
Wiltshire	Arable Farmland Action Plan SW	Cereal Field Margins	none

Key factors

Extent/Distribution

Land which is regularly cultivated for crops, or arable land, comprises about 40% of all farmland in Britain and covers about 5,000 hectares of Purbeck. Arable land supports a wide range of bird, mammal, invertebrate and plant species which are no longer common, such as the hare, corn bunting and partridge. Hedgerows are often an important component of arable areas, and increase the diversity of habitats available for wildlife. There is also a suite of less common plants that are largely dependent on arable cultivation: the arable weeds, which have become increasingly rare. In purbeck the area around St. Aldhelm's Head is recognised as an important regional 'hotspot' for arable weeds such as pheasants eye and corn parsley, although some fields elsewhere are also important.

Threats

Many common species of arable land, and arable weeds, have declined because of changing agricultural practices. However, due to the recent and rapid nature of these changes, there is little data on the distribution and abundance of species in decline, particularly at the local level. The populations of these valuable arable weeds in the St. Aldhelm's Head are specially interesting because, unlike much of the rest of Purbeck, there is a long history of arable cultivation here.

Action Plan Objectives

To increase knowledge and awareness of habitat and ensure appropriate schemes are in place to enable biodiversity benefits to be delivered.

Gather data on distribution of sites and species
TARGET: By 2000
Initiate discussion on the most appropriate incentive schemes for the delivery of arable biodiversity and their promotion
TARGET: By 1998
Develop advisory programme on arable management for conservation
TARGET: By 1998
Encourage and increase in the area of extensive spring sown crops and winter stubbles
TARGET: By 2010
Encourage creation of 30 hectares of cereal field margins, through existing schemes
TARGET: by 2010

Action Plan Targets

[ see above ]

Current Action