Threats

Action Plan Objectives

General Moorland Objectives

OBJECTIVE 1:

Retain or restore, as appropriate, the full diversity and extent of moorland habitats, particularly blanket bog, upland and lowland heathland, tors and valley mires, and the transitions between them, through the introduction of ecologically sustainable management.

Dartmoor targets

A Retain the current 46,000 ha of moorland habitats (‘moor and heath’ area on DNPA Section 3 Conservation Map which includes enclosed moorland).

B Support ecologically sustainable management which will lead to the restoration of degraded moorland habitats.

C Recreate 50 ha of moorland by 2005,on former sites which have been improved for agriculture or afforested.

D Seek further opportunities to recreate moorland by 2010.

OBJECTIVE 2:

Encourage public understanding and appreciation of the wildlife resource, where this does not conflict with its conservation.

Dartmoor targets:

A Provide interpretative material on moorland wildlife and regularly update the public, farmers, landowners and commoners on the progress of the Action Plan.

B Provide access and interpretation facilities or opportunities, where appropriate.

Blanket Bog

OBJECTIVE 3

Reverse the degradation of the blanket bog as far as climatic changes allow, through provision of favourable, stable conditions for its re-development.

Dartmoor targets:

A A minimum of 11,000 ha of blanket bog (90% of the total) to be under favourable management by 2005.

B A minimum of 11,000 ha of blanket bog (90% of the total) to be in favourable condition by 2010.

OBJECTIVE 4:

Ensure that the raised bog at Tor Royal remains hydrologically and ecologically intact.

Dartmoor target:

A Maintain the hydrological and ecological integrity of Tor Royal raised bog through favourable management of the bog and the surrounding catchment.

OBJECTIVE 5:

Maintain and enhance populations of breeding golden plover and dunlin.

Dartmoor targets: - see Species Action Plan for Golden Plover and Dunlin

Upland Heathland

OBJECTIVE 6:

Prevent loss of upland heathland to grass moor.

A Maintain a minimum of c.13,000 ha of moorland (total amount in 1994) containing >25% dwarf shrub* cover.

B Achieve favourable condition of all upland heathland within Dartmoor SSSIs by 2010.

*‘Dwarf shrub’ includes heather, bilberry, and western gorse heathland and is currently monitored across the Dartmoor ESA by MAFF.

OBJECTIVE 8:

Ensure that heather stands are structurally diverse, with a good balance between tall, dense patches and shorter ones.

A Ensure that all burning on heathland complies with the Heather and Grass Burning Code and the Dartmoor Commoners’ Council Regulations, with the 31 st March as the last date for burning.

B Establish a series of widely distributed areas of old heather each at least 5 ha, which will remain unburnt, totalling c. 650 ha (5% of the area of >25% dwarf shrub cover), by 2001.

OBJECTIVE 9:

Maintain the current populations of red grouse and skylark.

A Maintain a population of at least 30 pairs of red grouse.

B Maintain skylarks as a common and widespread breeding bird on Dartmoor (i.e. present in at least 90% of moorland 1x1 km squares).

OBJECTIVE 10:

Encourage appropriate habitat conditions for re-colonisation by merlins.

A Establish annually whether merlin are likely to have bred on Dartmoor.

B Investigate factors affecting lack of breeding success of merlin on Dartmoor by 2001.

C Seek to establish one or more pairs of breeding merlin on Dartmoor by 2005.

OBJECTIVE 12:

Ensure that viable and healthy populations of the high brown fritillary are retained.

Dartmoor targets - see Species Action Plan for High Brown and Pearl-bordered Fritillary.

OBJECTIVE 13:

Ensure that populations of other rare species are sustained in grass moorland and bracken.

Dartmoor targets:

See Species Action Plan for High Brown and Pearl-bordered Fritillaries and Species Action Plan for Vigur’s Eyebright. A Manage bracken to favour other rare species.

OBJECTIVE 14:

Manage the remaining areas of grass moor, i.e. those not targeted for restoration to heathland or supporting rare species, for the benefit of characteristic wildlife such as wheatears.

Dartmoor targets

A Maintain present population of wheatears on Dartmoor (c. 3,000 pairs).

B Establish present numbers of whinchats on Dartmoor and maintain these numbers.

Valley Mire Objectives

OBJECTIVE 15:


Maintain all valley mires in goodcondition, in terms of their hydrology, water quality and species composition.

Dartmoor targets:

A Establish the location of all valleymire communities by 2001.
B Ensure all valley mires remain hydrologically intact.
C Identify and seek to achieve appropriate level of grazing in all
valley mires.

Action Plan Targets

See above

Current Action

Proposed Action

Policy and legislation

Seek to ensure that prescriptions and financial incentives continue to encourage entry into the Dartmoor ESA scheme and support the best management regimes for wildlife

LEAD:MAFF
PARTNERS: EN,DNPA, RSPB
TARGET:2005

Draw up and implement Site Management Statements for all influential managers of SSSIs, and define conservation objectives for the Dartmoor SAC.

LEAD: EN
PARTNERS: CAs,Owners
TARGETS: 2005

Map areas with 10-25% existing dwarf shrub cover
LEAD: MAFF
PARTNERS: DNPA,EN
TARGET: 2001

Restore an additional 1,000 ha to >25% dwarf shrub cover by 2010
LEAD: MAFF
PARTNERS: DNPA, EN
TARGET:2005

Restore c. 5,000 ha. of these areas to >25% dwarf shrub coverby 2005 using ESA, other management agreements and cross-compliance.

LEAD: EN
PARTNERS: MAFF DNPA,

Progress