| Hay
Meadows and Species-rich Dry Pastures - Dartmoor |
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Action for Wildlife- Dartmoor LBAP |
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| Extent/Distribution This action plan covers all species-rich meadows that are found on enclosed dry land on Dartmoor. Enclosed wet grasslands are incorporated into the Rhôs Pasture Action Plan, and grasslands on unenclosed land are included in the Moorland Action Plan. Traditional hay meadows and species rich grasslands are now rare habitats on Dartmoor. Different types of grassland are characterised by the underlying soil type, which on Dartmoor may be either neutral or acidic. Hay meadows are found on more neutral soils and perhaps the most striking feature is the sheer diversity of plants, including greater butterfly, southern marsh and heath spotted orchids, as well as other characteristic plants such as hay rattle, eyebright and ox-eye daisy. About 20 ha of hay meadows remain on Dartmoor. On permanently grazed pastures, a similar abundance of species may be found, but it is less obvious due to a generally close-cropped sward. no information currently available OBJECTIVE 1 Maintain and where possible enhance all remaining species-rich
hay meadows,especially those with greater butterfly orchids, and restore
the habitat in carefully targeted locations. OBJECTIVE 2
OBJECTIVE 3 3B Identify the potential for re-establishment of further populations on Dartmoor by 2005. OBJECTIVE 4 Through contact with landowners seek opportunities for habitat management for cirl buntings and woodlark on Dartmoor by 2001. Through favourable habitat management, increase numbers and range of cirl buntings in the Teign valley to 10 pairs within the National Park boundary by 2010. Increase the woodlark population to 10 pairs and expand the range in the National Park by 2010. OBJECTIVE 5 see above no information currently available
Policy and legislation Ensure that appropriate tiers and payments for species-rich grasslands and hay meadows remain in the Dartmoor ESA schemeLEAD: MAFF PARTNERS: EN,DNPA,RSPB Include protection policies in all relevant statutory plans and LEAPs when reviewed LEAD: DNPA PARTNERS: EA Management
Seek to establish management agreements to cover all high quality species-rich meadows, maintaining a balance between hay meadow management and permanently grazed sites LEAD: DNPA,MAFF PARTNER: EN Seek to establish hay meadow management agreements on 100 ha of meadows with potential for enhancement by 2005, and on a further 50 ha by 2010. LEAD: MAFF PARTNER: DNPA Seek to establish management agreements on 100 ha of permanently grazed meadows with potential for enhancement by 2005, and on a further 50 ha by 2010. LEAD: MAFF PARTNERS: DNPA Safeguard against direct threats, including inappropriate tree planting, through consultation procedures and planning controls LEAD: DNPA,FA, PARTNERS: EN Research and monitoring
Establish extent and distribution of enclosed species-rich, dry grassland on Dartmoor LEAD: DNPA PARTNERS: EN,MAFF Monitor all high quality species-rich meadows at least every five years LEAD: DNPA,EN PARTNERS: MAFF Education and awareness
raising
Publicise the need for positive management of farmland for cirl buntings and woodlark LEAD: RSPB PARTNERS: DNPA, EN,MAFF Produce Dartmoor Biodiversity Newsletter articles on Dartmoor’s species rich hay meadows and grasslands, and on the status of cirl buntings, woodlarks and the large blue butterfly LEAD:DNPA PARTNERS: RSPB,MAFF,NT,EN Provide at least one guided walk to one or more flower rich meadows on Dartmoor annually LEAD: DNPA no information currently available |
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