Attributes &Limits
1. Extent. The area (ha) as a ratio of open grey dune to scrub will be measured
via aerial
photography during the course of this plan to direct future management. Management aims to
suppress the loss of grey dune to scrub encroachment and to restore open grey dune in selected
areas by removal of maturing scrub.
- Target:
There should be no decrease in extent from the 1999 aerial survey.
- Target:
To restore c 2 ha of open grey dune in Compt 26
- Target:
To restore c 1.5 ha of open grey dune/yellow dune transition in Compt 14
2. The presence of bare sand is an important characteristic of the short-sward
landscape, for
the establishment of characteristic dune annuals and a wide range of dependent invertebrates.
However, bare sand will inevitably allow establishment of negative indicator species. The extent of
bare sand within the fixed dune resource will be measured at least once during the reporting cycle.
Rabbit control measures may be effected when the upper limit is exceeded.
- Lower
LAC: 5% of fixed dune surface area is bare ground
- Upper
LAC: 15% of fixed dune surface area is bare ground
3. Characteristic vegetation. The fixed dunes will be surveyed at least once
during the reporting
cycle for the presence of key species and range of NVC communities. Natural change/transition
may dictate some variation in extent of specific communities as a proportion of the fixed dune
resource.
- Target:
There should be no significant reduction in coverage of key species/NVC
communities from the baseline established by the 1999 NVC survey.
4. Sward height assessment will be carried out at least once during the reporting
cycle and
maintained through rabbit-grazing, livestock or mowing to favour short sward communities. Short
sward is characterised by 5 cm average vegetation, assessed through random samples of target
area.
- Upper
LAC: 90% short sward.
- Target:
A minimum 75% of fixed dune will be managed to perpetuate short turf
communities 25% of fixed dune will be maintained as tall-turf grassland.
5. Negative plant indicator species include aggressive ruderals such as creeping
thistle and
nettle. These exploit bare ground, enriched areas or scrub and may go on to colonise the open
dune from established stands.
- Target:
There should be no increase in negative indicator species at the expense of
fixed dune vegetation.
Note: condition monitoring protocols are being prepared for this feature and may provide
new
guidance on acceptable limits of other negative indicators e.g. ragwort.
