Members' Briefings
Heather Management
The Heather Trust believes that burning is a vital management tool, and in many areas it is the only practical, cost effective means of managing heather. However, several moors now also include some degree of cutting in their management plans, and these properties demonstrate what can be achieved by employing the “best of both worlds”.
Updated 23rd July 2015
Heather Beetle
Outbreaks of heather beetle have occurred on a large scale since the advent of modern moorland management, but long-term economic damage is normally confined to wetter moorland.
Beetle eggs require a humid environment for successful development...
Updated 23rd July 2015
Bracken
Bracken is an invasive species which poses a genuine threat to the future of the uplands, not only through its ability to smother and overcome competing vegetation but also due to its tendency to create ideal breeding conditions for dangerous ticks.
There are a number of methods of controlling bracken, but the simplest method...
Updated 18th March 2013
Ticks
The principle threat posed by sheep ticks Ixodes ricinus is through their capacity to transmit diseases that affect humans, birds and animals. The principal cause for concern amongst humans is Lyme disease, which can be fatal or cause chronic disability. In animals, a range of diseases is transmitted by ticks, including...
Updated 25th March 2013
Phytophthora
Phytophthora infections have been found in a variety of different plant species, and the consequence of infection is frequently fatal to the plant. Heather has not been affected by any of the various forms of the disease, but it is not impossible that this could happen. The current concern surrounds Phytophthora’s ability to infect and kill juniper and blaeberry...
Updated 3rd April 2013
Peatland Management
Peat has been used as a fuel for thousands of years, and it was traditionally of great value to people in the uplands where there is a historical shortage of wood. Today, we are beginning to understand the value of peat for a variety of other uses, which go far beyond heating and cooking.
Climate change has been linked to the amount of carbon...
Updated 10th May 2013