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PM 32 - Create and restore upland fringe and mosaic habitats (Ffridd)

Code
PM 32
Measure
Create and restore upland fringe and mosaic habitats (Ffridd)
Description
Ffridd mosaic must be restored and managed to increase the extent in Herefordshire. This should be done mainly through decreasing livestock pressure, with stocking rates reduced ideally to less than 0.5 ewes/ha and no winter grazing, to restore heather, sphagnum and dwarf shrub cover. Rotational bracken and scrub control is also important to maintain the open habitats. Actions should be regular and sensitive to the rare species and conditions required to support a diverse mosaic of different habitat types.
Wider environmental benefits
Increasing woodland cover Improving air quality Improving water quality Increasing flood risk management Reducing climate change impacts Improving soil health Promoting nature friendly farming Supporting food provision
Links to additional information and guidance

https://farmwildlife.info/how-to-do-it/existing-wildlife-habitats/upland-fringe-ffridd/

Priority
Upland habitats are restored, and their condition is improved
Priority description
Upland habitats in Herefordshire include moorland, upland heath, acid grassland, rush pasture, bracken, scrub and peatlands. Between the upland moorland and more intensively managed lowland these habitats tend to occur as a mosaic known as ffridd. Due to the variety of habitats present in ffridd, including scattered trees, woodland, scrub, bracken, gorse, heathland, grassland, bog, scree and rock, its high structural diversity supports numerous and rare species. Peatland habitats, such as blanket bog and raised bog, provide valuable waterlogged habitat for a variety of species, including rare and specialist species such as sphagnum mosses. They also provide a number of important benefits, notably acting as vast stores of carbon and can mitigate the effects of flooding through water absorption. These habitats are vulnerable to soil erosion and fires which can result from overgrazing, lowered water tables, lack of tree and shrub cover, climate change and anti-social behaviour.
Mapped

LNRS map