Restoration of Atlantic Heaths and Inland Dunes in Denmark

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The heathland habitat types of Europe, and Denmark in particular, are considered to be vulnerable and to some extent threatened. In the latest evaluation (2007) of the conservation status of Annex I habitat types in Denmark, five of the targeted habitat types in the project proposal are evaluated as having unfavourable conservation status and one with unknown conservation status. Several factors adversely affect the conservation status of the heathland habitats: airborne fertilisation, atmospheric nitrogen deposition and the heather beetle (Lochmaea suturalis) are responsible for the overgrowth of grasses at the expense of the characteristic heathland scrubs resulting in a major loss of biodiversity in all of the targeted habitat types. The wet and dry heathland habitat types furthermore suffer from the accumulation of organic materials/nutrients, since the damaging heather beetle winters in the peat layer. Overgrowth with woody species is part of the natural succession of all of the habitats, but abandonment of pastoral systems has accelerated this process. The wet heathland habitat type, in particular, suffers from fragmentation and poor hydrological regimes.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the project is to improve the conservation status and, if possible, increase the surface area of dry sand heaths with Calluna and Genista (2310), dry sand heaths with Calluna and Empetrum nigrum (2320), inland dunes with open Corynephorus and Agrostis grassland (2330), Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix (4010), European dry heaths (4030)and Juniperus communis formations on heaths (5130). These habitat types offer occur in a mosaic with each other in the relevant Natura 2000 sites. The proposed actions will target some 280 ha of existing 4010 habitat-type present in the project area and also enlarge the area of wet heath by up to 125 ha. The second objective is to improve the existing and potential breeding habitats of the wood sandpiper (Tringa glareola) and nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus), both listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive.

Expected results include:

Clearing of woody species on 142 ha of existing and potential heathland;

Removal of the upper peat soil layer on 134 ha of existing and potential heathland;

Milling of 160 ha of existing and potential heathland habitats dominated by purple moor grass;

Harvesting of heathland vegetation on 386 ha of existing and potential heathland;

Controlled burning on 578 ha of existing and potential heathland;

Acquisition of 60 cattle and establishment of grazing on 659 ha of existing and potential heathland;

Restoration of the natural hydrology across 17 ha of heathland; and

Restoration and improvement of potential and existing wood sandpiper and nightjar breeding habitats.