Clwydian Range AONB - Heather Moorland

About the Range

More Information

Over the age of approximately 15 years, heather plants become leggy and degenerate. Heather in this condition is of very little use for moorland inhabitants and will begin to die, being replaced by other vegetation. In order to keep the moorland in good condition, it is beneficial to manage on a 15 year rotation, ensuring a diverse age structure which will provide young growth for livestock and wildlife and deeper vegetation which provides shelter and nesting for birds.

It is possible to shepherd sheep around the mountain using cutting and burning. Sheep will eat young growth so will concentrate their efforts on recently managed areas where the vegetation is better. Burning or cutting too large an area will reduce the amount of available grazing until the vegetation returns and then lead to stock being spread over a large area once the vegetation begins to return. Cutting or burning too small an area will lead to sheep over-grazing the fresh vegetation when it returns and could kill areas of heather.

Burning and cutting are also effective methods for controlling the spread of Heather Beetle, which threaten to kill large areas of moorland.

Heather Moorland

The heather moorlands of the Clwydian Range and Llantysilio mountains are predominantly dry heath. The thin layers of peat soils are ideal for Common Heather, Bilberry, western gorse, and a variety of upland grasses. Bell Heather and Cross-leaved Heath can also be found. Bracken and European Gorse are not native to this habitat but are becoming increasingly common causing management and agricultural problems. Silver Birch and Rowan trees can be seen dotted around the uplands, and will slowly spread, turning our valuable moorland into woodland, if not kept in check. Although not native to this habitat, Pine trees can also be found, particularly close to the conifer plantations such as Moel Famau.

This habitat attracts a wide variety of wildlife, all of which benefit from the traditional management which continues to take place today. Key species are the Black Grouse and Red Grouse, birds of prey including Merlin, Kestrel and Hen Harrier, smaller birds such as Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Curlew and Yellowhammer. Bilberry Bumblebees can be seen particularly on flowering heather. Moths, beetles and other small insects are also vital to the success of the moorland community.

Moel Arthur Our heather moorlands are important habitats, many of them are protected against development and damage by law. Many have a UK designation called a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and also a designation meaning they are of European importance called a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). These designations help to protect our Heather Moorlands for future generations.

Our uplands are an important agricultural resource. Much of the moorland is Common Land, where a number of farms have right to graze sheep. Without agricultural management, the structure of the heather moorlands will change significantly and much of the habitat and many of the species are in danger of being lost.