| Purple moor grass and rush pasture - Dorset |
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| Extent/Distribution Most purple moor-grass and rush pasture sites exist on poorly drained, nutrient-poor soils. They consist of mosaics of different communities that can include species-rich fen-meadows, wet heaths and mire, as well as drier grassland and scrub. Purple moor grass is a species-rich vegetation developed on nutrient-poor but base-rich soils. In Dorset the stands are small and fragmented, and largely confined to the Wessex Vales and Dorset Heaths Natural Areas. The Marsh Fritillary is found in this habitat at a number of sites. Rush-pasture is the most common vegetation type in poorly drained pastures. Soft and Sharp-flowered rush dominate, and when grazed a wide variety of herb species are present. This habitat is much more widespread than purple moor grass. 1.Agricultural improvement, including drainage, cultivation and use of fertilisers. 2.Lack of grazing management, leading to rankness and scrub encroachment. 3.Fragmentation, leading to loss of viability of key species. 4.Past forestry planting. 5.Lack of knowledge of the Dorset resource. 1. Maintain the extent and quality of the existing habitat. 2. Secure sympathetic management of remaining sites, which perpetuate the species they support. 3. Increase the area of purple moor grass and rush pasture habitat by appropriate means, in order to buffer, link and expand existing sites. 4. Continue to conduct research and monitoring which will improve our knowledge and understanding of associated key species. 5. Provide opportunities for education, access and awareness raising initiatives. [no information currently available] Agricultural improvement SSSI/SAC designation Lack of grazing management Agri-environment
schemes. Forestry planting Fragmentation Knowledge of Dorset resource DERC Neutral grassland inventory. NBN SW Pilot Policy and legislation Promote entry of SNCI sites into agri-environment schemes or other management agreements.PARTNERS: DWT,EN, DEFRA Management
Encourage establishment of extensive grazing units where possible. Monitor sward condition and key species and adjust grazing as needed. PARTNERS: EN, DWT, DEFRA Monitor restoration of purple moor-grass & rush pasture at Powerstock Common and use as a case study to evaluate biodiversity outcomes. PARTNERS: DWT, EN Investigate possibilities for linking, buffering and extending sites, including assessment of potential benefits to key species in the long-term. PARTNERS: EN, DWT, Butterfly Conservation Research
and monitoring
Ensure SW NBN Pilot project separates out this habitat from other fens and rush-pastures. PARTNERS: DERC Education and awareness
raising
no information currently available no information currently available |
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