Machair - biodiversity target

Action plan UK objectives and targets for machair:

• Maintain existing extent of machair;
• Restore improved machair grassland to traditional mixed management with no over-grazing. Aim to reduce improved grassland extent by 30% by 2010, with concomitant reductions in stocking levels to avoid overgrazing of machair;
• Apply appropriate remedial methods to 50% of sites currently suffering severe overgrazing by 2005;
• Apply appropriate remedial methods to 100% of sites currently suffering severe overgrazing by 2010;
• Restore machair habitat and management to large sites degraded by sand extraction in the Western Isles and Orkney by 2010 (for sites with exhausted sand reserves or no further planning permission).

Comment: This habitat is not dealt in detail in this guide but many of the restoration methods applicable to sand dunes are relevant to this habitat.

Comment: The national biodiversity targets are revised from time to time and updated by the JNCC at http://www.ukbap.org.uk/.