Dartmoor Training Area
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Integrated Land Management Plan (ILMP)
Environmental
Management
System
(EMS)
Integrated Land Management Plan (ILMP)
Dartmoor Training Area Detailed Aims and Objectives:
Nature Conservation
Aim
To support, and where applicable, maintain sustainable, sensitive, low intensity agricultural practice.
Objective NC1:
To maintain or restore across DTA the full diversity and extent of moorland
habitats, particularly blanket bog, upland and lowland heath, tors
and valley mires, and the transitions between them, through the continuation
and further development of ecologically sustainable management.
Background and Management Implications
The blanket bog and upland heath are internationally threatened habitats whilst the other moorland habitats are of national importance.
The diversity of the moorland habitats is sustained by appropriate grazing and burning practices and requires grazing management combined with heath and grassland management.
MOD will ensure that military activities support moorland habitats achieving “favourable” or “unfavourable recovering condition” status and support management programmes where appropriate.
Performance Indicator
Achieve PSI target of 95% of SSSI being in Favourable or Unfavourable Recovering condition by 2010.
Objective NC 2:
Continue to support the Dartmoor BAP.
Background and Management Implications
MOD will continue to support the Dartmoor BAP as a key partner and provide support for initiatives to further the conservation of the following:
- Breeding birds
- Ring Ouzel
- Small Red Damselfly
within the Dartmoor Training Area where appropriate.
Performance Indicator
Population status.
Objective NC3:
Maintain and where possible enhance the current extent and condition of
Rhôs pasture on enclosed freehold landholdings.
Background and Management Implications
Rhôs pasture is found within enclosed land, in areas which are poorly drained on spring fed valley sides. The habitat is particularly threatened by agricultural improvements such as drainage and by scrub invasion and requires low intensity traditional agricultural management.
Refine and take forward a strategy to conserve enclosed Rhôs Pastures on freehold land.
Performance Indicator
Condition status of enclosed Rhôs Pastures on freehold land.
Objective NC 4:
Re-establish a mosaic of heather of differing maturity and structural diversity
on MOD freehold land.
Background and Management Implications
As a result of overgrazing, there are limited areas of mature and semi-mature heather. Where heather regeneration is encouraged it will be important to ensure that structural diversity is also developed.
Heather management and grazing needs to be planned to promote diversity and representative areas need to be left unburnt.
Performance Indicator
Monitor and achieve favourable condition for dwarf heathland shrub communities across those areas within MOD freehold land by 2010.
Monitor population status of target bird species.
Objective NC 5:
Maintain and, where appropriate, enhance or re-establish species rich
pastures, including hay meadows on MOD freehold enclosed land.
Background and Management Implications
The traditional species rich pastures and hay meadows are locally and nationally threatened through modernisation of farming practice, fertiliser application and regular silage cutting. The species rich meadow is an important habitat for both plant species, ground nesting birds and as feeding grounds for species such as bats. The meadows are also a highly valued part of the local landscape.
Encourage traditional hay meadow management on enclosed and appropriate fields on MOD freehold land and where required by landlord agreements.
Monitor and maintain current area of species rich pastures and hay meadows and enhance the species diversity of these enclosed grasslands by switching the use of artificial fertiliser inputs with well rotted farmyard manures, late cutting and aftermath grazing with cattle where possible on enclosed MOD freehold land.
Performance Indicator
Monitor condition of species rich pasture and hay meadow.
Objective NC 6:
To encourage public understanding and appreciation of the wildlife resource
of DTA where this does not conflict with conservation objectives and
landlord agreements.
Background and Management Implications
The characteristic moorland of Dartmoor is an important factor in the attraction of the area for both the local population and tourists. DNPA, NE and MOD recognise the need to balance the public demand for increased access and the potential educational resource against the risk of increased disturbance of species or degradation of habitats.
While access is predominantly open across the unenclosed land, public access can be managed to an extent through a combination of signs, way marks and footpath / parking provision. Military activity is closely controlled through Standing Orders and exercise planning.
Raise awareness of the access availability and understanding of the natural and conservation value of Dartmoor and by working in partnership with local agencies and organisations;
Tasks will include further development of DTA information on this website and the MOD Website: www.mod.gov.uk, together with the publication of DTA Walks and Rides leaflets.
Performance Indicator
Range of interpretation measures in place; Hits on the Dartmoor Website; Feedback from stakeholders.
Objective NC 7:
Maintain the current extent of boundary features across MOD freehold
land where this delivers cultural, agricultural and biodiversity benefits.
Background and Management Implications
Traditional field boundaries are under threat due to removal or neglect. The lack of maintenance is particularly prevalent at former farms which have been combined to form larger units and where fencing is used as the main form of stock control.
Continue to take forward a programme for maintaining and re-building traditional boundaries and managing the hedgerow tree and shrub species to promote a diversity of sizes, ages and structures. Monitor the progress of restoration using GIS.
Performance Indicator
Length of field boundaries restored.
Condition of hedgerows.
Objective NC 8:
Undertake with stakeholders regular monitoring and research of habitats
and species on land where we have an interest to inform the success
of management of nature conservation objectives.
Background and Management Implications
Dartmoor is host to a wide range of species and habitats. Their importance are listed within the SSSI and SAC schedules and/or hold Local and National Habitat (HAP) or Species (BAP) Action Plan status these include:
Internationally important:
- Blanket Bog, Dry and Wet Heath, Otter and Salmon
Nationally:
- Valley Mire, Heathland/ Grassland mosaic and Oak Woodland, Southern Damsel Fly, Bird assemblage
DTA will continue to support research and monitor habitats and species as an active partner within local partnerships where resources and priorities allow and where the information will inform MOD management activities.
- Monitoring birds through the MOD Bird Count annually and through a Bird Survey every five years
- Continue as an active partner of the Dartmoor BAP & Wader Projects
- Establish baseline of DTA habitats using NVC methodology (Phase 1 & 2)
- Investigate levels of research undertaken into the quality of spawning gravels for Salmonids
Performance Indicator
Active participation in joint projects and research.
Objective W 1:
To maintain the status of woodland across DTA by managing military use
of these locations and through woodland management on MOD freehold land.
Background and Management Implications
Existing native woodland on Dartmoor Training Area falls into two categories; plantation and semi-natural.
The managed grazing of domesticated livestock within woodlands is widely acknowledged to have significant environmental and agricultural benefits. Across the woodlands on Willsworthy stock grazing within woodland compartments will be stopped, however, grazing within woodland compartments across the training area will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Partnership projects could be considered on leasehold and licensed land where this is consistent with landlord’s requirements.
Performance Indicator
No net loss of woodland area or woodland biodiversity
Objective W 2:
To seek opportunities for the establishment of new native shrub thicket
and woodland for military training on MOD freehold land and where appropriate
through landlord agreements.
Background and Management Implications
Native woodlands on the fringes of Dartmoor: provide a habitat for birds that like the moorland edge; enhance the landscape; delineate the fringe of the moor and provide military training and agricultural benefits.
Determine areas where new and additional native shrub thickets and woodlands could be established on MOD freehold land through planting or natural regeneration.
Performance Indicator
Area of native woodland and shrub thicket established.
