Field Boundaries - Dartmoor

Field Boundaries & Isolated Trees - Dartmoor


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Action for Wildlife- Dartmoor LBAP

Key factors

Extent/Distribution

This plan addresses the action necessary to conserve wildlife that thrives in DartmoorÕs hedgerows and hedgerow trees, hedge banks, stone walls and isolated trees. On Dartmoor, some boundaries can clearly be identified as part of the reave system, the field banks of our Bronze Age ancestors some 3,500 years ago. Field boundaries are a living part of our history.

Over 600 flowering plants, 1,500 insects, 65 birds and 20 mammals have been recorded as living or feeding in hedgerows. The sheer extent of the habitat, particularly in rural areas such as Dartmoor, means that it is of great importance for the survival of many species. The variety of trees and shrubs found in DartmoorÕs field boundaries is a characteristic feature, and often confirms the age of the boundary in the landscape. Species-rich hedgerows are the most valuable to wildlife (see definition on page 109) and are used by rare species such as cirl bunting and the greater horseshoe bat, as well as rapidly declining species such as the brown hairstreak butterfly, dormouse and song thrush. Primrose, early purple orchid and bluebell are amongst the most characteristic plants of Dartmoor hedge banks, which support a wide range of wildlife such as the Red Data Book Little Robin (Geranium purpureum), and provide nest sites for birds, including the redstart which is largely restricted to western counties of England. Old ash pollards near Holne

Threats

no information currently available

Action Plan Objectives

OBJECTIVE 1

Halt further loss of species-rich hedges and hedge banks, and of stone walls, through neglect or removal.

Dartmoor targets

A Retain all existing species-rich hedges and hedge banks.
B Achieve no net loss of other hedges and hedge banks.
C Achieve no net loss of stone walls.

Achieve favourable management of all species-rich hedges by highlighting the problem of neglect or poor management and through provision of advice and financial incentives, as appropriate.

Dartmoor targets

A Achieve favourable management (as defined by English Nature nationally) of 50% of species-rich hedges by 2005.
B Complete sample surveys by 2005 and thereafter monitor every five years to assess whether the above target is being achieved*.
* (linking with MAFFÕs national sampling strategy which includes field boundaries within the Countryside 2000 agri-environment evaluation).

OBJECTIVE 2

Maintain overall numbers of isolated, veteran and hedgerow trees at least at current levels, through ensuring a balanced age structure.

Dartmoor targets

A Establish the numbers and approximate age of isolated, veteran and hedgerow trees in a selected local area through public involvement by 2001.
B Extend survey coverage to further four areas to be representative of the whole of Dartmoor by 2005, and consider further expansion thereafter.
C Maintain the numbers and age distribution of isolated, veteran and hedgerow trees in each chosen area.
D Following the surveys, secure, as far as possible, the longevity of significant veteran trees by management of existing individuals, where necessary.
E Identify, protect and manage suitable replacement trees in the immediate vicinity of significant veteran trees, planting new ones where necessary.
F Re-survey hedgerow isolated and veteran trees in each chosen area at 10 year intervals.

OBJECTIVE 3

Maintain numbers of characteristic farmland birds on Dartmoor, especially skylarks and buzzards.

Dartmoor targets - see Habitat Action Plans for Moorland (skylark) and Woodland (buzzard).

OBJECTIVE 4

Maintain and, if possible, increase the population of woodlarks, cirl buntings and greater horseshoe bats within Dartmoor.

Dartmoor targets - see Habitat Action Plans for Hay Meadows and Species-rich Grasslands (woodlarks and cirl buntings) and Species Action Plan for Bats (greater horseshoe bat) .

Action Plan Targets

[see above]

Current Action

[see below]

Proposed Action

Policy and legislation

Policy and Legislation Implement and enforce the Hedgerow Regulations (TARGET- ongoing)
LEAD:DNPA
PARTNER: DHG

Support the review of the Hedgerow Regulations so that they accord with the UK BAP for species-rich hedges. (TARGET- ongoing)
LEAD: DNPA, EN
PARTNER: All

Support the Devon Hedge Group, as the county forum promoting hedge conservation. (TARGET- ongoing)

LEAD:DNPA, EN
PARTNER: All

Seek more resources from Government for boundary management . (TARGET- ongoing)
LEAD:EN, DNPA
PARTNER: ANPA, DHG

Provide adequate incentives for boundary maintenance, enhancement and restoration through agri-environment schemes . (TARGET- ongoing)
LEAD: MAFF
PARTNER: DHG, All

Support the retention of practical skills in boundary management
LEAD: DNPA
PARTNER: All

Management

Maintain or establish favourable management of all existing boundaries
LEAD All

Encourage planting of new species-rich hedges (especially to fill gaps in networks), primarily through the ESA scheme

LEAD:MAFF
PARTNERS: DNPA, FWAG

Encourage retention and replacement of hedgerows and isolated trees
LEAD: MAFF
PARTNERS: DNPA, FWAG

Produce management programmes for works on veteran trees within chosen parishes to secure their longevity and ensure suitable replacement trees are brought on, particularly near ancient semi-natural woodlands
LEAD: DNPA
PARTNERS: EN, Parish Councils

Advisory

Share best practice in the implementation of the Hedgerow Regulations
LEAD: DNPA
PARTNER: DHG

Provide training in boundary management for farmers, contractors and decision makers, concentrating on practical management, economics and grants available 1, 2A
LEAD: DNPA, DRST
PARTNER: FWAG, DHG, LANTRA, MAFF, NFU, CLA

Research and monitoring

Set up a pilot scheme in one parish to involve the public in recording of veteran, isolated and hedgerow trees, by 2001. Re-survey the trees in 2010

LEAD:DNPA
PARTNERS Parish Councils, DCC, DHG, EN

Extend the scheme to a further four parishes to be representative of the whole of Dartmoor by 2005

LEAD: DNPA Parish Councils, DCC, DHG

Consider further schemes in the remaining parishes
LEAD: DNPA Parish Councils, DCC, DHG

Complete sample survey of species rich hedges by 2005 to assess favourable management, linked to county survey and MAFFÕs national Countryside 2000 agri-environment evaluation. Monitor at five - year intervals

LEAD: MAFF, DCC
PARTNERS: DNPA, DHG

Education and awareness raising

Support public events that raise awareness of the value and management requirements of boundaries and veteran trees
LEAD: DNPA
PARTNERS: DHG, FWAD, MAFF, DWT

Include articles on field boundaries in Dartmoor Biodiversity Newsletter
LEAD: DNPA

Progress

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