Threats

• Habitat loss and qualitative degradation due to lack of management or inappropriate management is the single most serious threat to heathland. This is the main source of loss, principally to scrub, and may amount to as much as 15% of the resource every decade. Lack of management also leads to increasing homogeneity of the heathland sward.
  
  
• Lack of appropriate infrastructure (fencing, etc) to permit proper management.
  
  
• Historic losses to mineral extraction against a background of recently increasing habitat re-creation as mitigation for losses.
  
  
• Small-scale losses and fragmentation to agricultural improvement.
  
  
• Fragmentation by development.
  
  
• Nutrient enrichment by the deposition of atmospheric pollutants, particularly SOX and NOX.
  
  
• Inappropriate burning regimes, including arson.
  
  
• Alterations to the hydrological regime within heathland units, including over-abstraction.
  
  
• Losses due to the action of public pressure (trampling damage, motorcycles, etc) or lack of public awareness impede management of the site.
  
  
• A misunderstanding on the part of the public regarding the origins and significance of heathland and the need to continue to manage it.
  
  
• There has been a lack of funding in both the public and private sectors to meet the needs of heathland restoration, re-creation and associated infrastructure. Heathlands have little direct economic value at present which has led to substantial losses.

Action Plan Objectives

OBJECTIVE 2

Ensure that all viable heathland blocks are managed appropriately to restore and enhance their biodiversity.

OBJECTIVE 3

Re-establish 1050 hectares of lowland heathland in Cornwall, consolidating the existing blocks.

OBJECTIVE 4

Achieve an increase in community awareness and appreciation of heathlands and their conservation in all key heathland complexes.

Action Plan Targets

[ see above ]

Current Action

Heathland re-creation plans, the LIFE map and heathland inventories by EN, RSPB, CWT and ECCI have identified the existing resource and areas suitable for re-creation. This will allow for the prioritisation and targeting of resources for heathland management. The re-creation plan has been implemented in part.

Large areas of heathland (amounting to nearly 50% of the county resource) are now under, or will soon be under, positive management by both the public and private sector. This has been achieved through land ownership/lease by bodies such as Cornwall County Council (Kit Hill), CWT (Lizard, Mid-Cornwall moors, and West Penwith), EN (Lizard and Mid-Cornwall Moors), and NT(coastal heaths, especially Lizard and Penwith) and through private ownership via schemes such as ESA, MAFF Countryside Stewardship, English Nature SSSI Management Agreements, and latterly Lottery money from the Heritage Lottery Fund and delivered through the Tomorrow's Heathland Heritage initiative.

Understanding of the need for infrastructure has been taken on board by the relevant highway authorities although funding is not provided. Quantification of site requirements has also begun.

Losses due to agricultural improvement have slowed significantly as the agricultural economic environment has altered. Some significant losses on the Culm were noted by CWT in relation to CAP payments.

Current losses due to mineral extraction are now being significantly mitigated for by substantial heathland re-creation measures. These have increased dramatically since early experimental work by ECC International in the 1970s. Much of this work is being achieved through the Tomorrow's Heathland Heritage partnership between the clay industry, the Mineral Planning Authority (CCC), and English Nature, and funded in part by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Planning guidance through the LIFE map, SSSI and CNC as well as SAC/Natura 2000 sites have all added to the impetus to restrict or eliminate fragmentation pressures. SSSI notification, through the Wildlife and Countryside Act, now covers 49% of the total heathland resource.

Funding for heathland management, restoration and re-creation has been improving through targeted Countryside Stewardship, the Tomorrow's Heathland Heritage Lottery initiative, positive SSSI Management Agreements, ESA monies, 5b funds through the Landscape project, and private sector investment by bodies such as ECC International (i.e.: Caerloggas tip landscaping).

Public relations issues have been clearly identified by two attitude surveys conducted by EN in key heathland areas including Cornwall. Leaflets and other products have been produced and publicity events undertaken by a range of relevant bodies. Surveys have shown that public opinion (96% approval) still strongly favours heathlands but continues to misunderstand the need for active management.

The indirect economic value of heathlands has been identified by research. Projects are being initiated to attempt to return heathland to the wider economic fabric, particularly with regard to agriculture and tourism and where an economic return can be demonstrated.

The County Council Tipping and Restoration Strategy represents a strategic approach to habitat restoration on former mineral tipping sites.

Proposed Action

Policy and legislation

PARTNERS: All
TARGET: Ongoing

Source and encourage grazing animals and markets. Link with economic initiatives relevant to heathland management, especially development of extensive grazing and markets. Link with initiatives on the THH mid-Cornwall project and Bodmin Moor.

LEAD: EN
PARTNERS: NFU, FWAG, MAFF
TARGET: Ongoing

Achieve 750 hectares of heathland re-creation in the St Austell heathland sub-zone of the mid-Cornwall Moors heathland zone

LEAD:EN
PARTNERS: ECCI, Goonvean Ltd., CCC (Mineral Planning Authority), Restormel BC, private owner/occupiers. MAFF/FRCA
TARGET: ongoing

Demonstrate good heathland management practice, through development of key demonstration sites and dissemination of best practice.

LEAD: EN
PARTNERS: CWT, NT, ECCI
TARGET: ongoing

Research into practical management methods, species and habitat management requirements, and socio-economic value of heathland landscape management and re-creation.

LEAD:Plymouth Uni/ Liverpool Uni (academic lead), EN(partnership lead).
PARTNERS: ECCI, CCC, LAs
TARGET: 2010

Progress