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| Sefton Coast Partnership | Shoreline Management | Nature and Wildlife | Coastal Heritage | Visiting the Coast | Students and Teachers | Coastlines | |
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Winter 1996Action For HeathlandA spectacular carpet of late summer purple is the most striking feature of heathland . Blooming heather captures the imagination, and draws attention to heathland. However, beyond this brief showiness there lies a simple yet dynamic and culturally complex habitat. Dwarf shrubs, Heathers, are the main feature of the heathland habitat. But heathlands are more than heather. Heathlands are a landscape type, typically open and wild. They are a 'melting point' for a whole range of habitats including heathers , gorse, grassland, scrub woodland, bareground and even wet areas and open water. Heathlands are a traditional landscape, created usually as a result of farming. Grazing by ponies, cattle or sheep has been an important activity both creating and maintaining heathland. Activities associated with grazing, such as burning of heather to encourage new growth , and cutting of heather for thatching, litter or fodder for animals have also helped to promote heathland. Land that was farmed then abandoned once light soils were depleted have also resulted in heathland. During this century lowland heathland has suffered severe loss and fragmentation through housing, industry and road development. The remaining areas have suffered great loss of the traditional agricultural activities that once maintained them. Small areas of heathland are much more difficult to conserve. Lowland heath is a rare habitat. Dune heath is a rare habitat. Dune heath is a special form of lowland heath, and is given 'priority' status in the European Habitats Directive. The Sefton Coast has a large part of the national total of priority dune heath habitat. We are fortunate that local people value and care for the dune heath. Development proposals in the 1970s were defeated in the face of strong local opposition. One proposal led to the purchase of Larkhill Fields by the National Trust. But threats continue. The dune heath faces similar problems of fragmentation and the lack of management of heathland through the country. Without conservation management the remaining dune heath will be lost to succession. Heathland is a habitat and landscape type we must actively care for if it is to have a real future. The Sefton Coast Life project is working to raise awareness of dune heath. National Heath Week in September saw meetings of the local community concerned with the future of dune heath, promotional events, a guided walk and practical conservation tasks at three sites. Action continues beyond these events. Working with the Life project , the National Trust have started heathland restoration at Larkhill Fields - the only dune heath in Sefton within direct conservation control. Practical work is being organised by the Life Project at other sites involving the local community and conservation volunteers. Conservation plans for the future of all dune heath sites will be agreed, and it is hoped that neglected sites can be secured and brought into management.
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