Lowland Heathland LBAP

Lowland Heathland - Gloucestershire


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Cornwall

Dartmoor

Biodiversity Action Plan for Gloucestershire bap title

Key factors

Extent/Distribution

In Gloucestershire lowland heathland is virtually restricted to the Forest of Dean where its extent probably exceeded 600 ha, but has been greatly reduced by afforestation during the 20 th century. The largest remaining area is at Poor's Allotment near Tidenham which is owned by the Trustees of Poor's Allotment, managed by English Nature and covers 28.5 ha (although not all of this is heath). All other sites are owned by Forest Enterprise and are relatively small. There are ongoing restoration projects at Tidenham, Gorsty Knoll, near Coalway, and other smaller sites at Crabtree Hill and Pit House Pond. Some of these sites (e.g. Wigpool and Crabtree Hill) are already being managed as nature reserves. To the North East of the Forest of Dean, May Hill, partly owned by the National Trust, is an area of acidic grassland with some heathland characteristics.

In the Cotswolds at Cleeve Common there are small areas of heather, approximately 2 ha, where the limestone is overlaid by the acid deposits of the Harford Sands. There is a remnant of heathland near Wolford on the Gloucestershire/Oxfordshire border although this has been colonised by secondary woodland. 'Heathland-type' habitat is also present around Bromsberrow in northern Gloucestershire.

Threats

Afforestation. A number of sites with restoration potential are still afforested, mainly with trees planted in the 50's and 60's.

Isolation and fragmentation, resulting from 20th century afforestation. Neglect and scrub encroachment. Because of unmanaged and unequal grazing some sites
(e.g. Ruardean Hill, Cleeve Hill) have become overgrown with scrub whilst other sites have become dominated by bracken (e.g. Clearwell Meend)

Lack of public awareness. Most lowland heathland in the Forest of Dean was lost so long ago that few people now recall the Dean's heathlands and are not aware of the benefits that will accrue from heathland restoration.

Danger of heath fires. Gorse fires have already occurred in several areas even though the amount of heathland is now small (e.g. Gorsty Knoll, Tidenham and Edge Hills).

Action Plan Objectives

To protect existing good quality heathland sites and to ensure their appropriate
management.

To expand significantly the existing area of heathland by creating sites where
restoration can take place.

Action Plan Targets

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Current Action

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Proposed Action

Policy and legislation

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Management

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Research and monitoring

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Education and awareness raising

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Progress

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