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Re-creating heathland on sea cliffs
Four methods of re-creating heathland on abandoned agricultural grassland land
have been investigated, namely:
- the application of herbicide;
- the addition of harvested heather shoots;
- the addition of heathland topsoil;
- the translocation of heathland turves.
Conclusions: Method 1 was ineffective and inhibited the growth of heathland
plants. Method 2 Cultivation followed by the spreading of harvested heather
shoots increased the number of heathland seedlings, but some species were absent.
Methods 3 and 4 enabled all components of heathland vegetation to become established.
Whilst methods 3 and 4 were the most successful they involve destruction of
existing habitat. Method two on the other hand provides a renewable source of
material (Pywell et al. 1995).
Caveat: This work was not specifically directed towards sea cliffs,
though it does provide a useful guide to possible good practice there.
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Further guidance: Further and more detailed information about
restoring and re-creating heathland can be obtained from the "Heathland
Restoration Handbook" (Environmental
Advisory Unit 1988). Though this is largely concerned with inland
lowland and upland heaths there is a wealth of practical information about
the techniques associated with re-creating heathland.
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Key References
Environmental Advisory Unit
1988.
Heathland Restoration: a Handbook of Techniques.
British Gas, Southampton.
References
Pywell, R..F., Webb, N.R. & Putwain, P.D.
1995.
A comparison of techniques for restoring heathland on abandoned farmland .
Journal of Applied Ecology, 32/2., 400-411.
Abstract...
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