Studies in the grazing of heather moorland in northeast Scotland. VI. 20-year trends in botanical composition

Published source details Welch D. & Scott D. (1995) Studies in the grazing of heather moorland in northeast Scotland. VI. 20-year trends in botanical composition. Journal of Applied Ecology, 32, 596-611.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Increase number of livestock Action Link
	Reduce number of livestock Action Link

Increase number of livestock

A site comparison in 1967-1987 in 15 heathland sites in the UK (Welch et al. 1995) found that common heather Calluna vulgaris cover decreased at sites with high livestock density. Over 20 years cover of common heather increased in sites with low livestock density but decreased in sites with high livestock density (no data reported). Ten point quadrats were used to estimate vegetation cover at each sites in July or August every two years. Dung was counted to assess herbivore abundance at each site.

(Summarised by: Phil Martin)
Reduce number of livestock

A site comparison in 1967-1987 in 15 heathland sites in the UK (Welch & Scott 1995) found that common heather Calluna vulgaris cover decreased at sites with high livestock density. Over 20 years cover of common heather increased in sites with low livestock density but decreased in sites with high livestock density (no data reported). Ten point quadrats were used to estimate vegetation cover at each sites in July or August every two years. Dung was counted to assess herbivore abundance at each site.

(Summarised by: Phil Martin)