Appendix 1 - Land management options - Moorland and Upland Rough Grazing
- Maintenance of moorland HL9
- Restoration of moorland HL10
- Creation of upland heathland HL11
- Maintenance of rough grazing for birds HL7
- Restoration of rough grazing for birds HL8
- Shepherding supplement HL16
- Seasonal livestock exclusion supplement HL15
- Moorland re-wetting supplement HL13
- Supplement for management of heather, gorse and grass by burning, cutting or swiping HL12
For each option, overall aims, management requirements and relationships with ELS and OELS options are explained. The exact management requirements for each option, including optional prescriptions, will be negotiated with you, and then included in your agreement. The prescriptions text between square brackets may be changed by advisers to suit particular situations and management needs.
Where HLS options can be located with ELS or OELS options this is highlighted at the end of the text describing the options, see below.
Past management of moorland and upland rough grazing land has created a rich tapestry of diverse upland landscapes and habitats. These habitats include open heather moorland, blanket bog and a variety of grasslands. It is important to establish or maintain appropriate grazing and burning regimes to protect the peat, conserve these habitats and associated wildlife. Moorland and upland rough grazing areas contain important archaeology and some of our most extensive historical landscapes. Use of these options can help protect these moorland features and landscapes.
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The moorland options aim to maintain and restore habitats contained within the moorland grazing units. They may also be used in the management of large enclosures such as allotments, intakes and newtakes. Habitats include upland heath, blanket bog, upland calcareous grassland and limestone pavement. The options are targeted at land in Less Favoured Areas which is predominantly above the moorland line.
Capital items such as fencing and grip blocking may be funded by a Capital Works Plan.
Maintenance of moorland HL9
View prescriptions and indicators of success
Restoration of moorland HL10
These options maintain or restore moorland habitats to benefit upland wildlife, retain historic features and strengthen the landscape character.
Management will include grazing the moorland following an agreed stocking calendar. This calendar will reflect the different habitats within the moorland unit and their present condition. It will indicate how many and what type of livestock will be allowed to graze the moorland in each month of the year.
Restoration may also include grip blocking or temporary fencing to reduce or exclude grazing.
These options can be located on the same land as ELS option L6 but with a reduction to your HLS payment.
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View prescriptions and indicators of success
Creation of upland heathland HL11
This option creates dwarf shrub communities in upland moorland areas where heathland plants are rare or absent and their seed banks are depleted. It will strengthen the diverse vegetation mosaic characteristic of upland landscapes. It will be targeted at areas adjacent or close to existing dwarf shrub heath.
Management is likely to include: site preparation using a combination of topping, scarification, ploughing, burning and/or herbicide treatment; establishment of heathland vegetation by sowing or spreading heather or heathland seed or cuttings; control of grass and weed species. Once established the heathland would be managed as HL9 or HL10.
This option can be located on the same land as ELS option L6 but with a reduction to your HLS payment.
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Maintenance of rough grazing for birds HL7
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Restoration of rough grazing for birds HL8
These options provide rough grazing habitat for upland birds, particularly breeding waders, and other target species. They are targeted at allotments, intakes and newtakes and semi-improved fields that either presently support populations of upland birds or have the potential to do so.
Management will include grazing with sheep at an agreed stocking density (between 0.4 and 1.0 Livestock Units/ha depending on site conditions and objective) between 31 March and 20 June. At other times stocking densities (cattle and/or sheep) should be managed to achieve the desired sward height.
Restoration will be individually tailored to the site, but may include blocking existing surface drains, ditches and grips to create or extend areas of flush or wet, marshy grassland vegetation.
These options can be located on the same land as ELS and OELS options L2, L3, L4, L5 and ELS option L6 but with a reduction to your HLS payment.
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Shepherding supplement HL16
This supplement aims to support a grazing regime on moorland and rough grazing land that will prevent damage to archaeological sites, peat exposures, other vulnerable soils or vegetation by over or undergrazing and poaching. The supplement requires shepherds to identify the most vulnerable sites within the grazing unit and manage livestock to ensure that different habitats are grazed appropriately.
The supplement is available on options HL7, HL8, HL9 and HL10.
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Seasonal livestock exclusion supplement HL15
This supplement supports the removal of livestock from moorland for periods of time, to allow moorland restoration or to achieve additional environmental benefits on moorland that is in good condition. Examples of these benefits include increasing the rate of heather regeneration and allowing rare plants such as spring gentian to flower, or shrubs such as juniper to regenerate. The supplement may also be used to help protect archaeological sites and other historic features.
The supplement is available on options HL7, HL8, HL9 and HL10.
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Moorland re-wetting supplement HL13
This supplement supports the re-wetting of moorland to maintain wetland habitats and their associated wildlife. Re-wetting may also help to reduce diffuse pollution by reducing run-off from the re-wetted area. This should also help to reduce flooding downstream. In addition, the supplement can help protect archaeological sites and peat exposures.
The supplement is available on options HL7, HL8, HL9, HL10 and HL11.
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View prescriptions and indicators of success
Supplement for management of heather, gorse and grass by burning, cutting or swiping HL12
This supplement supports the establishment of an appropriate programme of rotational vegetation management to maintain or restore the wildlife value of moorland habitats. It applies to land where a significant change in management activity is required.
The supplement is available on options HL7 - HL10.
View prescriptions and indicators of success
Page last modified:
21 March, 2006
Page published: 3 March, 2005