Skip to main content

Wistmans Wood NNR - Making the cut: conservation management in the regeneration of moorland, Longaford Tor. An in-depth study of the effects of grazing/cutting management, with reference to repercussions for community composition and landscape pattern. (RP1681)

This study evaluates the effects of cutting as a way to reduce Molinia caerulea and encouraging regrowth of Calluna vulgaris over three years in a moorland habitat. Grazier location and site patch dynamics were examined. Sites cut in 2011 showed most response. Although cutting increased species diversity, it did not allow re-introduction of Calluna within three years. Grazing by cattle and sheep decreased from 40% to 14% during the three years after treatment. Cattle were most successful at reducing the abundance of Molinia; however the data collected suggested overall reduction in Molinia cover was not large enough to reverse its dominance.

Project details

Start date2011-01-01
End date2012-12-01

Closing statement

This work has been catalogued as part of the NNR Record Project and the results can be made available on request.

Location

This record relates to the location identified by the marker on the map: