Moorland in Moray had declined by over 30% since the Second World War. Most of this loss has been a result of commercial conifer planting, planting of new native pinewoods and increased intensification of agriculture. This has arisen from diversification by estates as sporting income has declined. Nine moorland plant communities found in Moray are of international significance. In the moorlands, seven habitats and two key plant species are identified in the North East Biodiversity Audit. The moorland habitat is maintained through grazing and burning.

Some factors affecting moorlands include:

• Decline of moorland value for agriculture and sport
• Local authority policies
• The perception that moorland is unproductive
• Commercial peat extraction
• Attractive forestry grants

Areas of moorland have received statutory protection and other areas are protected through planning policies. The Cairngorms Partnership is preparing a Moorland Strategy. The Scottish Landowners Federation is preparing a policy on biodiversity and the RSPB has surveyed moorland birdlife.

• Maintain and improve an agreed area of heather dominated moorland
• Change forestry grants making moorland management more viable
• Promote good moorland practice
• Encourage study and data collation of moorland species
• Restore open habitats within afforested areas, identify areas where new native woodlands are more appropriate

1. CURRENT STATUS

Moorland dominates the upland landscape of Moray. For the purpose of this action plan, moorland is defined as heather dominated upland heath and mire below the original tree line (600 to 700 meters above sea level) and above the edge of the enclosed agricultural land. In addition to moorland, the action plan area also includes rough acidic grassland, juniper scrub and semi-natural woodland, mostly dominated by birch, which is regenerating onto moorland in several places. A large proportion of the action plan area is afforested with commercial conifer plantations.

2. ECOLOGICAL DATA

Large scale development of moorland plant communities is unique to the UK. Nine moorland plant communities found in Moray are of international significance and are listed on the EC Habitats Directive. Seven of the habitats and two of the plant species found in the action plan area are identified in the Local Biodiversity Action Plan Audit, and these are listed below.

Moray's moorlands are nationally important for several rare or uncommon bird species such as hen harrier, merlin and short-eared owl. A number of these species are also listed in Annex 1 of the EC Wild Birds Directive. Several bird species occurring on Moray's moorlands are identified in the Local Biodiversity Action Plan Audit and these are listed below. Song thrush, for example, are principally found in other habitats but do make occasional use of moorland.

Moorland is a semi-natural habitat dependent on continuing management. In Moray, moorland has principally been managed to maintain red grouse populations for their sporting value. This management has involved regular burning of moorland (muirburn), drainage of mires (gripping) and control of the predators of grouse. Grouse moors have provided a source of rural employment in areas where other employment opportunities are limited and, if grouse populations are sufficiently high, can provide an important source of income for estates. Moorland and associated rough acidic grassland is also used as extensive seasonal grazing, usually for sheep, although this land use is normally subsidiary to use of these areas as grouse moor.

A combination of factors, including declining grouse populations and incentives for forestry plantings, has led to a significant reduction in the extent of moorland in Moray since the Second World War (a 30% loss from the 1940's to the 1970's). Most of this loss has been a result of commercial conifer planting and latterly the planting of new native pinewoods. Overgrazing by livestock and agricultural improvement have also contributed, albeit to a limited extent, to this decline.

Moorland in Moray supports a range of mammals, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates which are identified in the Local Biodiversity Action Plan Audit. Some habitats and species which have a UK or Scottish significance are listed below.

Habitats : Planted coniferous woodland, acid grassland, upland heathland, blanket bog, scrub banks, birch woodlands.

Mammals : Common shrew, mountain hare, pine marten, stoat, weasel, badger, wildcat, red deer, roe deer.

Amphibians and Reptiles : Common toad, common frog, palmate newt, and adder.

Vascular Plants : Juniper, heath, and cudweed.

Birds : Skylark, song thrush, wigeon, teal, hen harrier, goshawk, sparrowhawk, golden eagle, merlin, peregrine, black grouse, golden plover, long-eared owl.

Invertebrates : pearl-bordered fritillary, grey scalloped bar, lunar yellow underwing, netted mountain, sword grass.

3. CURRENT FACTORS AFFECTING MORAY MOORLANDS

• Variations in grant systems can make forestry planting more attractive than moorland management
• The declining value of agriculture and sporting moorland management
• The design of coniferous forestry plantations
• Muirburn practices
• Natural tree regeneration
• Restricted public access
• Development plan policies
• Cultural factors and the perception that moorland is unproductive
• Pressure for wind farm developments
• Commercial peat extraction
• Land ownership
• Pollution and climate changes

1. CURRENT ACTION

The Cairngorms Partnership Area includes several significant areas of Moray moorland. The Partnership Work Plan for 1998-2000 proposes to set up a Moorland Forum. The Forum would be comprised of representatives of all the major interests and would aim to develop broad understanding of the different interests, secure co-ordinated management of moorland areas and develop a strategic base for the application of revised policies and incentives.

At a national level, the Moorland Working Group has produced a statement of intent, ‘Action for Scotland's moorland’. The Working Group Partners have agreed to a number of aims including working together to maintain and improve the moorland landscape and its wildlife, including the management of the land for all types of grouse shooting. In 1998 the Moorland Working Group published the booklet ‘Good Practice for Grouse Moor Management’.

There are five Sites of Special Scientific Interest, containing moorland, within the defined area. These are Ladder Hills, Bochel Wood, Lower Strathavon Woods, Moidach Moor and Gull Nest. There are several Sites of Interest to Natural Science within the area, designated for breeding bird interests. Much of the moorlands are also within Areas of Great Landscape Value identified in the Moray Local Plan.

The Moray Council has prepared an Environmental Charter which sets out 15 principles which the Council will pursue. One of the principles is to, 'conserve and enhance the wildlife and natural environment in Moray'.

The former Grampian Regional Council produced an Indicative Forestry Strategy in association with the Forestry Commission, which classifies land depending upon its suitability for new forestry planting. Much of the area of the Moray Moorlands is within the Sensitive areas for new planting.

The Scottish Landowners Federation is currently preparing a policy paper on biodiversity.

The RSPB undertook a comprehensive study of birdlife on the Moray Moorlands during the summer of 1997.

2. BENEFITS

A number of factors are currently affecting Moray moorlands. Appropriate and sympathetic management should enable the various interest groups to function with minimum impact on the moorland. The large number of habitats and species found on the moorlands will gain increased protection.

Moray moorlands are not unique and factors that affect moors in Moray will also impinge on moors in other locations. This action plan may also be a template for the protection of other moorlands.

 

 

 

3. UK BIODIVERSITY OBJECTIVES AND PROPOSED TARGETS

Upland heath is a priority habitat. The published habitat statement promotes research into the role of peatlands, for example, as carbon sinks, and promotes the use of peat alternatives within the horticultural industry. A UK Action Plan has been written for the skylark. Most recommendations concern management of agricultural practice. The pearl-bordered fritillary UK Action Plan advocates sympathetic site management and habitat re-creation in areas previously supporting populations.

Blanket bog is a priority habitat. The UK habitat statement conservation direction aims to minimise deterioration and promote appropriate management of areas of active blanket bog and rehabilitate areas of damaged blanket bogs where the hydrological integrity is suitable for restoration.

4. OBJECTIVES AND PROPOSED TARGETS

The principle objective is to conserve and enhance the extent and condition of priority habitats and the numbers and distribution of priority species within the Moray moors. It is proposed that a partnership approach be adopted to produce a land use strategy acceptable to all parties. This can be achieved by pursuing the following objectives.

Objective 1: Maintain and improve semi-natural habitats.

Target: Time:

Maintain an agreed area of heather dominated moorland. Ongoing

Identify appropriate areas for forestry. 1999-00

Objective 2: Ensure management policies do not affect heathland.

Review Indicative Forestry Strategy. 2000

Adapt forestry grants to promote heathland management. Ongoing

Objective 3: Data collection.

Promote monitoring of moorland species and Ongoing

habitats for management and recording purposes.

4. Awareness

Objective 4: Increase public Awareness.

Develop interpretation. 2000

Produce press releases. Ongoing

SNH-Scottish Natural Heritage, LA-Local Authority, SLF-Scottish Landowners Federation, RSPB-Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, FC-Forestry Commission.