SA 10 - Reduce the impacts of recreational pressure on peatland habitats

Code

SA 10

Supporting action

Reduce the impacts of recreational pressure on peatland habitats

Description

Inappropriate recreational actions, such as footpath erosion, littering and lighting barbecues, can degrade and damage peatland habitats. Visitors to these areas should be made aware of the potential negative impacts and be educated on responsible enjoyment of the areas to increase engagement with their protection.

Links to additional information and guidance

https://www.iucn-uk-peatlandprogramme.org/peatland-benefits/wellbeing

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

No