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Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust Biodiversity Matters II

The Conservation Strategy of the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust 2006-2016

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British upland heather moorland and sphagnum habitats are of international importance. Typical bog, scree and acid grassland mosaics support some of our most evocative species including Hen Harrier, Merlin and the carnivorous sundew plants. With 50% of the UK’s heathland lost since 1947 this habitat is under threat. In Montgomeryshire there remains approximately 250sq.kilometers of upland heather moorland.

What are the threats to our heathland habitats?

• Unsustainable over-grazing continues to be promoted through the present agricultural subsidies system.
• In some areas heather moorland is declining in quality due to neglect of traditional moorland management techniques such as cutting and burning.

Heath and Bog Action Plan

Action

• We will manage heath and bog habitats on our nature reserves to maintain favourable condition.
• Encourage landholders to reinstate appropriate management of heather moorland.
• Encourage landholders to manage their moorland appropriately to benefit BAP species.
• Encourage large area conservation initiatives that reinstate and reconnect vital moorland habitats.
• Establish a network of moorland Wildlife Sites and Private Nature Reserves.
• Encourage landholders to share expertise and moorland management skills.

Advice

• Give advice to Commoners’ Associations about appropriate management of common land.
• Advise and help farmers with large or important blocks of heather moorland to enter into agri-environment schemes and grazing animals projects.
• Give advice to landholders about appropriate moorland management.
• Encourage peat users to adopt alternative non peat products.

Survey and monitoring

• Identify, survey and monitor selected moorland and bog sites, and undertake base-line monitoring to detect changes in condition on a six year rolling programme.
• Undertake specialist surveys for Black Grouse, Rosy Marsh Moth, and Ashfordia granulata gastropod.
• Undertake a survey of historical Large Heath Butterfly sites.

Lobbying

• Lobby to protect dwarf shrub heath and bogs from afforestation through the Wales Woodland Strategy.
• Lobby for sufficient incentives to be made available for wildlife-friendly farming to ensure achievement of relevant BAP targets and comment on relevant NAW policy, UK policy and wider CAP reform.