| Tayside Biodiversity - Tayside
Biodiversity Action Plan - Upland -
Upland Heath |
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DEFINITION
Upland heath lies below the montane zone (which begins above the potential woodland
limit at c.600m) and above the upper edge of enclosed agricultural land, usually
around 300 - 400 metres, but descending to near sea level in north
western Scotland. Upland heather moorland is usually found in areas with over
100 cm of precipitation per annum and where nutrient poor acid soils are composed
of peaty podsols or shallow peat. Variation in the vegetation communities is
broadly linked to climate, but is also linked to factors such as altitude, aspect,
slope, maritime influences and management practices, including grazing pressure
and burning regimes. This habitat is often found in mosaics with acid and neutral
grasslands.
Upland Heath is generally dominated by dwarf shrubs, for example Ling heather
Calluna vulgaris. Mixtures of Cross-leaved heath Erica tetralix, Purple moor
grass Molinia caerulea, and Sphagnum bog mosses may dominate other communities,
particularly in the wetter north and west of the country. Of the 3.7 million
hectares of upland dwarf shrub habitat in the UK, 1.6 million ha. are of less
than 50% heather dominance. Upland heath contains mosaics of dry heath, wet heath
and
blanket bog. |
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CURRENT STATUS AND EXTENT OF
HABITAT
At the last estimate heather moorland as a single feature was, at 94,500 ha.,
by far the most extensive single upland habitat in Tayside and represented some
12% of the whole area. A further 128,800 ha. of heather moorland also occurred
in mosaics with peatland, rough grassland and montane habitats, with Heather
being the primary feature over 75% of this mosaic area. This total area of 223,300
ha. represents some 9% of the total Scottish area of upland heath and some 5%
of the UK figure.
In the forty years prior to 1988, however, the area of heather moorland in Tayside
had actually declined by 35% and further significant losses in both area and
quality will certainly have occurred since then. These losses are likely to be
reflected across all upland heath types and mosaics. |
KEY
SITES
Forest of Clunie (SSSI SPA) and neighbouring areas.
Drummochter Hills (SSSI SPA)
Angus Glens Grouse Moors
Strathbraan Glenqueich and Logiealmond Grouse Moors
Kynachan, Strathtummel
Forest of Atholl
Forest of Alyth |
NATURE CONSERVATION
IMPORTANCE
The dwarf shrub heaths which make up upland heathland have international conservation
significance and are largely confined to the British Isles and the western seaboard
of Europe. In Tayside upland heath is mainly dominated by Heather but is characterised
also by dwarf shrubs such as Crowberry Empetrium nigram and Blaeberry Vaccinium
myrtillus, together with grasses such as Mat grass Nardus stricta and Sheep’s
fescue Festuca ovina. These heaths are derived from former woodland and scrub
with dwarf shrub-rich ground flora. This ground flora has survived the
removal of the trees and under low intensity land use and management continues
to provide a refuge for the associated species of the original woodland ground
layer. Thus woodland plants such as Wood anemone Anemone nemorosa can still be
seen over wide areas of moorland. Significant areas of upland heath have been
converted to rough grassland and to woodland, both native and exotic.
In Tayside, as elsewhere, upland heath is prime habitat for an important suite
of birds including Black grouse Tetrao tetrix, Red grouse Lagopus lagopus, Twite
Carduelis flavirostris, Golden plover Pluvialis apricaria and Ring ouzel Turdus
torquatus as well as the more wide-ranging species such as Hen harrier Circus
cyaenus and Merlin Falco columbarius. Some areas of upland heath are very rich
in bryophytes and lichen communities.
Upland watercourses can provide a valuable refuge for Water voles Arvicola terrestris
if Mink Lutreola vison are not present. The Scottish population of Water vole
declined an alarming 85% between 1990 and 1998. |
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatus
The Ring Ouzel is the only thrush that is a summer visitor to Britain.
Its upland breeding habit has earned it the alternative name of ‘mountain
blackbird’; its behaviour is certainly similar to its lowland cousin.
Its loud piping song is audible over very long distances. |
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