Securing Biodiversity in Breckland - European Commission

and staphylinids but also other groups of Coleoptera, as well as Hemiptera, Lepidoptera andHymenoptera)Work should investigate whether cultivation every 2-3-4 years is preferable to someinvertebrate and plant species, compared to annual cultivation.Examine the relative merits of different cultivation types and timings, together with differentherbicide regimes, to manage for priority species of plants and invertebrates on Brecklandcultivated margins. Work should include long established non-rotational margins (establishedunder the ESA), together with newer rotational and non-rotational marginsReview the success and apparent value of current ESA field margin agreements and wherethese appear to have provided benefits make every effort to secure transition to ES. In viewof uncertainty over the response of invertebrates to habitats, the presumption should be thatany open vegetation with a diversity of annual plants is beneficial.ES advisers should recognise the benefits of cultivated margin prescriptions that should beseen as the key mechanism for biodiversity delivery in Breckland farmland.Implement ES cultivated margin agreements as predominately non- rotational.Research should be conducted to examine whether annual cultivation of arable margins (e.g.as in cultivated margin prescriptions) or other ruderal habitats (e.g. recreated brecks withinForestry Landscape) gives similar outcomes to prescriptions or management with low densityunsprayed spring cereal crop. Effects should be studied on the plant and invertebrate speciespopulations and assemblages sustained and the seed bank densities achieved.Examine the feasibility of applying large-scale cultivation treatments to the ageing grassheathresource in STANTA, with the aim of rejuvenating brecks that have not been cultivatedfor 68+ years.Management of the heaths Juxtaposition of cultivated margins alongside grass strips, either already in place inpermanent grassland, hedge-banks, along pine lines and track-ways, or created through ESoptions, could bring enhanced benefits. Graze hard. Grazing should not be constrained by the presence of heather The overwhelming importance of physical disturbance to very large numbers of Brecklandconservation priority species must be recognised and acted upon if this biodiversity is tothrive. Survey and monitoring be urgently undertaken at as many mechanically disturbed plots aspossible, to cover key invertebrate groups as well as vascular plants. This will provideevidence to guide and inform future management. Ensure database of disturbance plots is kept up to date Work should examine whether the nutrient status of sandy soils unmodified by agriculturalinputs, results in more open vegetation and slower closure, allowing longer intervals betweenrepeat cultivations. Research work should be conducted to examine whether populations of rare vascular plantsrestricted (or largely restricted) to Breckland can be sustainably managed by a regime ofintermittent cultivation on soils of suitably low nutrient status. Ideally, a range of cultivationfrequency and fallow periods should be examined, across a range of soil types, focusing onthe most calcareous sands and most acidic low nutrient status soils. The response of thesepopulations in cultivated situations with and without sowing of cereal crops should beexamined.202