Key elements Shelter Bare ground and early-succession habitats Flower-rich habitats Scrub and scattered trees Temporary water Ericaceous shrubs Ecotones Large-scale mosaic LOWLAND HEATHLAND 133 priority species are associated with lowland heathland in England. However, there are very few that actually require ericaceous shrubs to complete their lifecycles. It is important, therefore, to consider the factors, such as disturbance, that produce the other habitat elements listed on the left. Click on image to view landscape, and then select some species or key elements Management guides for this habitat

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Shelter Shelter can be a difficult element to assess. However, sheltered sites are generally those that are open to direct sunlight but protected from excess wind by the topography or vegetation. Species requiring shelter are often found in bays of scrub, against a woodland edge or cliff face, or on sloping ground. South-facing slopes, and semi-circular bays of vegetation (such as a scalloped woodland edge adjoining heathland) open to the south, can be especially important. Photograph: Isabel Alonso Key determining factors: Topography Succession - scrub development Disturbance – grazing; scrub and tree management. Go to example species GO TO LANDSCAPERETURN TO START

Shelter – associated priority species RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Bare ground and early-succession habitats Repeated disturbance that removes vegetation creates areas of bare and sparsely-vegetated ground. Bare ground can include pebbles, exposed rock, and even small carpets of lichen and moss. It invariably includes a scatter of early colonisers, many of which are food plants or provide other critical resources such as nectar and pollen. Soil that is over-compacted or churned is not as good as well-drained loosely friable soil. Bare or sparsely-vegetated ground adjoining taller vegetation is often important. Key determining factors: Disturbance – small-scale poaching by grazing animals; rabbits; erosion on the edge of tracks and paths; sandpits; excavation by machinery, including top-soil removal as part of conservation management. Go to example species Photograph: Roger Key RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Bare ground and early-succession habitats – associated priority species RETURN TO START Go to Bare ground and early-succesion habitats GO TO LANDSCAPE

Flower-rich habitats Patches of tall flower-rich grasslands that are able to flower throughout the growing season can provide a source of nectar and seeds. They are often best represented by sheets of common flowering-plants, such as yellow composites and umbellifers. Photograph: Isabel Alonso RETURN TO START The diversity of species and the nature of management can also result in a complex structure that includes tussocks and sheltered bays within a matrix of other vegetation. Key determining factors: Disturbance - often found in areas such as disused sandpits or along road edges. Best managed by infrequent mowing or occasional grazing that retains some flower heads. Go to example species GO TO LANDSCAPE

Flower-rich habitats – associated priority species RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Scrub and scattered trees Scrub is vegetation dominated by low, woody plants that typically forms an intermediate community between grass or heath and woodland. Scrub that contains gaps and shrubs of different sizes is of much greater value than scrub in large, homogenous blocks. RETURN TO START Occasional trees are beneficial as they provide further structural diversity. Species can use scrub and scattered trees for shelter, feeding, roosting and nesting. Key determining factors: Succession Disturbance - tree and scrub management. Go to example species Photograph: Isabel Alonso GO TO LANDSCAPE

Scrub and scattered trees – associated priority species RETURN TO START Return to Scrub and scattered trees GO TO LANDSCAPE

Temporary water These are areas of land inundated by water in the winter and early spring, but which are dry in the summer. They can be seasonal ponds and puddles (including wheel ruts on tracks), the edges of larger water bodies, or just patches of ground where ponding occurs. Species may exploit the temporary nature of the water or the drawdown zone (small beaches of mud with little vegetation), or both. Key determining factors: Soil/Air/Water Quality Topography Disturbance, as in ruts and gateways Go to example species Photograph: Isabel Alonso RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Temporary water – associated priority species 13% of priority species on heathland are associated with temporary water, the majority using bare mud or peat in the drawdown zone. Examples, with their requirements, are: RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Ericaceous shrubs Shrubs in various structural and age classes are often used by different species. Key determining factors: Disturbance – management by grazing, burning or mowing. Go to example species Photograph: Dave Mitchell RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Ericaceous shrubs – associated priority species Only 9% of priority species on heathland are specifically associated with ericaceous shrubs (as opposed to requiring the vegetation structure that they provide). Examples, with their requirements, are: RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Ecotones These are the gradation between two adjoining habitats, for example heathland and woodland. Ecotones should not be severe; there should be a gradual change from one habitat to the other. Key determining factors: Succession Disturbance - various types of management that encourage a transition from heathland to other habitats. Go to example species Photograph: Isabel Alonso RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Ecotones – associated priority species RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Large-scale mosaic This refers to the juxtaposition of different habitats within a landscape. For example, wetland and woodlands adjacent to heathland. Such mosaics are largely required by highly-mobile terrestrial species, and can include both priority and non-priority habitats. Photograph: Isabel Alonso Key determining factors: Scale Go to example species RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Large-scale mosaic – associated priority species RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

A practical guide to the restoration and management of lowland heathland Reptile habitat management handbook Amphibian habitat management handbook Promoting habitat mosaics for invertebrates – heathland Managing priority habitats for invertebrates – lowland heathland RETURN TO START Management guides GO TO LANDSCAPE