Upland HabitatUpland HabitatManagementManagement

Upland BritainUpland Britain

40% of 40% of UK UK landland

Defining uplandsDefining uplands

Abiotic factors• Microclimate• Topography• Geology• Soil type

How do these compare with lowlands?

MoorlandMoorland

Upland HeathUpland Heath

Heathland speciesHeathland species

Heather ( ling )Cross leaved heath

Bell Heather

Bilberry

In wetter areas

Westerngorse

Purple moor grass and bracken

Blanket bogBlanket bog

Cotton grass

Bog Asphodel

Sphagnum moss

Sundew

BrackenBracken

Acid grasslandAcid grassland

Limestone pavementLimestone pavement

Arctic/alpineArctic/alpine

Role of the uplandsRole of the uplands• Wildlife

– uplands support a range of internationally important habitats and species.

– home for special flora and fauna;

• Store (and potential sink) of carbon in peat and other soils;

• Water– a sponge to retain rainwater and release it slowly, delivering

consistent and safe water supplies in the lowlands.

– Between 70% and 90% of our drinking water comes from surface water, the majority gathered in the uplands.

• Outdoor recreation and health

• Landscapes – nearly 4 million ha are included in the UK-wide network of National

Parks, National Scenic Areas and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

• Business– Agriculture and land based businesses increasingly rely on service

jobs, visitors and rural support measures.– Tourism increasingly important

Carbon factsCarbon facts

• UK uplands store 5 billions tonnes of carbon

• 1 billion tonnes in Scottish blanket bogs

• Pristine peat lands in England and Wales can absorb 40,000 tonnes of carbon per year

• Damage due to excessive burning, drainage and overgrazing could release 380,000 tonnes of carbon per year.

ThreatsThreats

• Drainage• Agricultural

improvement• Peat cutting• Overgrazing

– Bracken invasion

• Afforestation

• Lack of management– Undergrazing– Scrub invasion

• Development• Fire• Open access• Air pollution• Global warming

Black grouse managementBlack grouse management

•Felling creates open woodland

•Ditches filled with brash prevent chicks becoming trapped

•Peat dams built to create pools, are crucial for insects that chicks feed on