| Farmland - North Devon |
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Nature's Space - N Devon LBAP |
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| Extent/Distribution Unimproved neutral grasslands are a product of traditional farming practices over centuries, but survive only where the land is unimproved, having received little or no inputs of artificial fetilisers and herbicides, nor having been re-seeded, nor ploughed in recent years. Today the vast majority of grassland in North Devon has been 'improved' by these means. What was once an abundant habitat in the area is now very restricted and what remains continues to be lost or degraded. Neutral grassland occurs in 17 specific areas in North Devon, which together holds a total area of 138 ha. Most neutral grasslands in North Devon persist in small pockets situated on steep hillside slopes or within small valleys, where conversion to higher-grade pasture or other use has been impractical The main factors which have reduced the wildlife value of cereal crops are the intensification of cereal production, including the use of herbicides; the shift to winter cropping and the associated loss of winter stubble; the reduction in rotation of cereal crops with other land covers and the reduction in the undersown area associated with the shift to winter cropping. Since many of North Devon's unimproved neutral grasslands occur on relatively dry land with soils neither very acidic nor very alkaline they are very straightforward to farm, and have been lost to more intensive management. Unimproved neutral grassland is a rich and conspicuously beautiful resource of biodiversity, and the one our farmland habitats which has suffered particular losses from factors such as agricultural change. To survive at all, this grassland needs to be recognised and valued, and the value needs to be reflected in the support available to land managers to maintain this rich feature of the region, amidst modern pressures. OBJECTIVE 1 OBJECTIVE 2 OBJECTIVE 3 OBJECTIVE 4 OBJECTIVE 5 OBJECTIVE 6 OBJECTIVE 7 Monitor and evaluate potential impact of CAP reforms OBJECTIVE 8 [ See above ] Cereal field margins are targeted under two basic management options
in several environmental and land management schemes, including Environmentally
Sensitive Areas and the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.
Policy and legislation Ensure that Countryside Stewardship is available for extensively managed
agricultural land. Ensure the policies are in place to support a mixed 'small' farming
structure Examine use of Section 106 agreements/planning conditions and
management agreements to safeguard and enhance biodiversity. Management
Ensure that hedgerows are retained and, wherever possible, hedge
systems conserved and enhanced to safeguard biodiversity interest. Ensure the use of TPO's to protect significant hedgerows and trees LEAD: NDDC Review policy designations for locally distinctive and important
habitats on farmland (SSSIs, County Wildlife Sites). Where control of pests is required, encourage use of ecologically
benign methods. Advisory Coordinate pro-active, targeted advice, following the above noted
objectives, to all farmers in the District. Ensure that specific and prioritised management advice is offered to landowner/farmers with priority species on their land LEAD: FWAG, DWT PARTNERS: NFU, CLA, NDCCS, EN Provide an advisory visit to all North Devon Farmers, ensuring
that an agreed percentage of farmers have received an advisory visit
by, including the offer of help with funding applications and a whole
farm and other management plans. Promote 'Best Practice' through case studies and coordinated demonstrations LEAD: FWAG, DWT, CLA, NFUPARTNERS:NDCCS Research and monitoring
Review DWT Wildlife Inventory Identify all sites of high nature conservation importance within
farmed land and encourage monitoring of habitats and species associated
with farmland communities Identify all sites within farmland where priority species are
recorded Research value of organic farming in terms of return of/colonisation
by species including plants, birds, mammals and invertebrates. Education and awareness raising
Foster increased understanding and awareness [no information currently available] |
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