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Grazing management at Braunton
Experiments in introduction of grazing to the site were made between 1987 and
1996. 25 X 25 m plots were grazed (by Soay sheep), mown or left ungrazed except
by rabbits. "It is concluded that both sheep grazing and mowing help to
prevent further loss of plant diversity in vegetation which has become rank.
Sheep grazing also tends to create regeneration niches, and to restore the species-rich
areas of short turf that are of particular conservation interest at Braunton
Burrows." (Packham & Willis 2001).
Other sites where grazing management has been undertaken for nature conservation
purposes include Newborough
Warren, Sandscale
Haws,
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Guidance: Grazing management is central to the management and
restoration of dune grassland (and heath). Mowing
provides a means of simulating grazing and this has been attempted at
Braunton (as well as other sites) as part of the programme of scrub and
coarse grassland control. However, it proved to be a very labour intensive
process (personal communication Site Manager) and grazing the only practical
means of maintaining the conservation value over the whole of this sand
dune site.
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References
Packham, J.R. & Willis, A.J.
2001.
Braunton Burrows in context: a comparative management study.
In: Coastal Dune Management: Shared Experience of European Conservation Practice, eds.Houston, J.A., Edmondson, S.E. & Rooney, P.J.Liverpool University Press, 65-79.
Abstract...
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