Securing Biodiversity in Breckland - European Commission

Management for Assemblages of Lightly or Ungrazed, Undisturbed ConditionsManagement for assemblages requiring only light-or no grazing guilds could include very light,seasonal grazing or occasional/seasonal biomass harvest. Natural disturbance by droughting,occasional trampling and slippage can also help maintain open site conditions particularly on slopes.Juxtaposition of structures within open habitatsAndrena (Charitandrena) hattorfiana – RDB: RHymenoptera – Apidae (a mining bee)This bee has declined substantially and is found inSouthern England on dry, often calcareous grassland,habitats are both coastal and inland, including clifftops, downland, chalk heath, road verges and dune. Itnests in open warm sunny ground, with a mix of bareground and more vegetated areas (perhaps short turfor long grass). The pollen sources is primarily fieldscabious Knautia arvensis for which there is a close,possibly obligate association However, other scabious © Nick OwensKnautia sp. and small scabious Scabiosa columbariahave been known to be used, while other flowers can also be visited. Rotational management ofswards is recommended to promote tall grass and areas of Knautia, next to short turf but also withbare ground (created by some form of disturbance). It is a reasonably large bee (17mm), with gooddispersal abilities and therefore, provision of this species requirements do not have to occur withinthe same small site.Open habitats with scrub, disturbance and intensive grazingCerceris quinquefasciata – RDB: R, BAPHymenoptera – Sphecidae (thread-waisted wasps)A psammophilous BAP wasp, which is declining and is surprisingly more common inland than incoastal situations. It particularly frequents open sandy habitats such as heathland, sand and gravelpits and other disturbed areas. Nesting sites arecharacterised by warm, sunny locations with bare or sparselyvegetated ground on sandy soils, frequently compacted area,such as paths. Nest cells are stocked with the usual prey ofbeetles, often weevils, and adults also spend time visiting avariety of flowers, especially umbelifers. Rabbit grazing issuggested to be beneficial. However, the range of stagesassociated with additional areas of scrub helps provide for aplentiful source of prey. Moderate disturbance is beneficialin order to create large areas of bare ground; howeverintensive disturbance will often create a very looseunsuitable substrate. Therefore, moderate trampling ofpaths and moderate vehicle (not excessive activity e.g.motorbikes) would help promote compaction.© Nick Owens161