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| Species |
| (s) = short list |
(m) = middle list |
(l) = long list |
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- Examples of plants specific to Lowland Heathland:
Calluna vulgaris
Ulex minor
Ulex gallii (l)
Erica tetralix
Erica cinerea
Vaccinium myrtillus
Scirpus
Sphagnum compactum
Associated bryophytes and lichens.
- Examples of associated birds, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates:
Skylark (s)
Nightjar (m)
Woodlark (l)
Sparrowhawk (l)
Sand Martin (in open faces) (l)
Dartford Warbler (Dorset) (l)
Palmate Newt (l)
Great Crested Newt (s)
Slow-worm (l)
Adder (l)
Grass Snake (l)
Sand Lizard (s)
Silver Studded Blue (m)
Heath Fritillary (s)
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Examples of action required when Key Habitat is close
to proposed mineral working site |
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One of the biggest threats to this habitat is fragmentation and isolation. When working adjacent or nearby, operations should be seen as an opportunity to link isolated habitats by restoring to heathland, and allowing areas in ownership which have been agriculturally improved to revert to heath.
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| Opportunities during extraction |
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Examples of colonising species:
- Sand Martin may colonise open faces. Flexibility in area of working enables face to be abandoned until sand martin have left their burrows.
- Shallow pools, left behind working face in un-restored levels, may be colonised by invertebrates and amphibians from conserved bordering heathlands.
- Sandbees and other invertebrates requiring open dry silt / sand conditions may colonise dry silt bed areas.
Care should be taken of all re-colonising species to ensure this resource is not wasted either during extraction or during the restoration phase.
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| Opportunities for action before and after extraction |
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- It has been demonstrated that heathland can be created.
- The link with an existing heathland area is an important element in the success of the restoration as a source of plant material and re-colonisation of all species.
- Create areas of varying height suitable for woodland, scrub, bare ground, gorse, wet heath, bog and open water to ensure the full range of conditions is available within the habitat.
- Careful soils handling and control of final levels, water levels, and retention of low nutrient neutral to acidic conditions are important.
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