Progress update NC4
Support farmers and landowners to increase the area of Local Biodiversity Action Plan priority habitats by 7% by 2011, including:
a) restoring 1,700ha of hay meadow;
b) creating 100ha of floodplain wetland;
c) restoring over 4,000ha of upland heath and blanket bog;
d) creating 450ha of upland ash woodland by 2010, (as part of increasing the overall coverage of native broadleaved woodland to over 5,000ha by 2020).
Progress status:
Amber light shows that some progress is being
made towards achieving this objective.
Progress update:
a) Restoring 1,700 hectares (ha) of hay meadow
The Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust’s ‘Hay Time’ project has led to the direct restoration of 166 hectares (ha) of haymeadow in the last four years, with a further 33 ha planned in 2011/12. Natural England had continued to support farmers and landowners to maintain and enhaance the condition of hay meadows through its wider agri-environment schemes. Overall, 1,647 hectares of hay meadow in the National Park are now in 'favourable/recovering' condition (for SSSIs) or 'good' condition (sites in the wider countryside).
b) Creating 100 hectares (ha) of flood plain wetland
An audit of floodplain wetlands was carried out by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority in 2010. However, in the light of the current financial situation, the creation of new wetlands is not considered to be a priority within the the new local Biodiversity Action Plan (Nature in the Dales 2020 Vision).
c) Restoring over 4,000 hectares (ha) of upland heath and blanket bog
A significant area of heath and blanket bog has been restored through Natural England's agri-environment schemes since 2006.
July 2009 saw the launch of the 'Yorkshire Peat Partnership', involving a range of organisations across Yorkshire, including Natural England, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water and the National Park Authority. The project specifically aims to restore around 14,000 hectares of blanket bog in the National Park (as well as smaller amounts elsewhere) by 2013.
Some elements of the restoration programme for 2010/11 had to be delayed pending decisions on Natural England’s future budget. However, works were completed at two sites - near Grimwith Reservoir and at Coverhead - and over 2,500 ha of land has been restored to more natural drainage. All the necessary funding is now in place to achieve the overall objective by 2013.
d) Total area of upland ash woodland created (ha)
Last updated September 2011
