Box 9G Lowland heathland loss in eastern and southern Britain

South Atlantic wet heath with furze, New Forest, UK

Source: D Wascher


Lowland heathlands in Britain generally occur on free-draining, nutrient-poor, acid soils. In historical times they were regarded as barren 'wastes', because they supported low woodland cover and were impossible to cultivate. Hence, many were given over to use as common grazing lands ­ and it is often these areas which survive today. Some existing heathlands are also derived from reversion of agricultural land and from felled woodland.

British lowland heathlands form part of the unique western European 'Atlantic' heaths. Although they are widespread in England and Wales, and also occur in Scotland, the most important sites are found in the coastal counties of eastern and southern England. In East Anglia (counties of Suffolk and Norfolk), heathlands are of a Calluna vulgaris­Festuca ovina type, and include the Brecklands (Site 166 on Map 9.6) and the Suffolk Sandlings. These are one of the main breeding grounds for the stone-curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) in Britain. In southeastern England, including the Thames and Hampshire basins, the Calluna vulgaris­Ulex minor heath (Anglo-Norman heath) is dominant. These are important habitats for invertebrates, eg, Odonata, reptiles, including Coronella austriaca, and support the British populations of Dartford warbler Sylvia undata. Further west, Ulex galili replaces Ulex minor in heathland communities. In Dorset and on the Lizard peninsula (Cornwall, Site 178 on Map 9.6) associations of Erica ciliaris and Erica vagnas also occur. British heathland communities have been classified recently by Rodwell (1991).

A great many studies in the UK, particularly using data derived from old maps, have provided a picture of heathland change over the last century. Data held by English Nature (the statutory nature conservation body) indicate that the total amount of heathland in Britain (with greater than 10 per cent cover of Calluna) is about 60 000 ha (Farell, 1993). Past losses have been mainly due to agricultural reclamation and afforestation. In many areas these and other factors have led to severe fragmentation, so that much of the heathland which remains is found on small, isolated sites. This, in turn, has led to the impoverishment of fauna and flora. Current threats are urban encroachment and road building, pipeline installation, mineral extraction, fires and military use. Recreational pressure can be severe locally, causing erosion by trampling or from the illegal use of motorcycles or other vehicles. However, bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) and woodland encroachment due to lack of management remains one of the most important factors affecting the viability of the surviving British heathlands.

In response to these problems, actions have been taken to provide better protection of heathlands in the UK: in the framework of Biogenetic Reserves (four designations in 1992 by the Council of Europe), by the EC Bird Directive (Dorset Heathlands), and through a National Heathland Programme launched in 1993 by English Nature.