Higher Level Stewardship Farm Environment Plan

Transcription

Higher Level Stewardship
Farm Environment Plan (FEP) Manual
Technical guidance on the completion of the FEP and
identification, condition assessment and recording of
HLS FEP features
Third Edition – March 2010
www.naturalengland.org.uk
Summary of key changes to the Farm Environment Plan (FEP)
These changes came into effect in December 2009. Please see
the relevant section of this Manual for full details on each of
these changes.
Parts 3, 4 and 5 of the FEP application form have been
replaced by a Farm Overview and Opportunities form.
A number of features no longer need to be recorded or have
been redefined:
■■
rable (A01) is recorded as a feature on the FEP/FER map but
A
is not required on the FEP Data Sheet.
■■
Boundaries
should be marked as they are on the FER. The
only additional requirement for the FEP is to mark high
environmental value boundaries with the feature code and
condition assessment.
■■
I ndividual boundary trees no longer need to be counted
and recorded.
■■
I mproved grassland (GO1) no longer needs to be recorded.
Species-rich grassland must now be recorded against a
specific BAP habitat feature code. The code GO3 must
not be used. You will still need to record semi-improved
grassland (GO2) in accordance with the grassland keys.
■■
S crub and bracken areas of lower environmental value do
not need to be recorded. High value bracken (V05*) has
been added as a feature, primarily aimed at identifying
suitable conditions for UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP)
priority butterfly species.
■■
S ome tree and woodland features have been dropped,
namely T02 – mature and over-mature trees; T04 – native
plantation; T05 – non-native plantation; and T14 – bush and
commercial orchards. Plantations on ancient woodland
sites (T06*) has been added as a feature.
FEP Process
HLS enquiry from
customer
Land with HLS
potential identified
by NE
NE adviser contacts customer with pre-FEP
approval decision
NE produce
and send to
customer
application
form,
maps and
handbooks
Customer:
nConfirms interest in making an HLS
application
nReceives, signs and returns consent
form
nSelects FEP surveyor and confirms
choice to NE adviser
Customer receives application form from
NE and provides relevant sections to FEP
surveyor
FEP surveyor completes FEP survey,
application form and maps
NE adviser carries out site visit and any
required subsequent contact to:
n Quality assess FEP
n Review FEP recommendations
n Agree options and prescriptions
Customer submits application to NE
NE adviser processes application
Customer signs and returns agreement
ELS or no ES
application
Contents
Section 1
The Farm Environment Plan (FEP)
1.1 How is a FEP prepared?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1.1.1
What do I need to do before starting a FEP?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1.1.2 What do I need to do before carrying out field work?. . . . . . . . . . 10
1.1.3 Who should I consult?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
1.1.4 Where can I find other sources of information?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
1.1.5What do I need to do with the information from
consultations and other research?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
1.2 How do I carry out fieldwork? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
1.2.1 Health and safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
1.2.2 How long will it take?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
1.2.3 Which is the best season for doing the fieldwork?. . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
1.2.4 What maps do I need for the fieldwork? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
1.2.5 What should I consider when carrying out fieldwork?. . . . . . . . . . 15
1.3 How do I complete the FEP/FER Map?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
1.3.1 How do I map whole/part field features?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
1.3.2 How do I map field boundary features?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
1.3.3 How do I map in-field and boundary trees?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
1.3.4 How do I map species features? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
1.3.5 How do I map access?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
1.3.6How much detail should I map (mapping resolution
and mosaics)?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
1.4 How do I complete the FEP form?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
1.4.1 Part 1 – Farm and surveyor details. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
1.4.2 Part 2 – Environmental Features Data Sheet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
1.4.3 Example Environmental Features Data Sheet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
1.4.4 How do I complete the Environmental Features Data Sheet? . . . 22
1.4.5 How do I complete the Farm Overview and Opportunities form?. .27
1.4.6 Part 6 – Record of consultations and FEP checklist. . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
1.5 How do I submit the completed FEP? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
1.5.1 How do I submit the FEP forms and Maps?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
1.5.2 Will I be reimbursed for the costs incurred in obtaining a FEP?. 32
1.5.3 Are there any quality standards for a FEP?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Section 2
Features, feature details and condition assessments
2.1 Arable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Key 1Key to the potential of arable land for reversion to
species rich grassland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
2.2 Coastal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
2.3 Field boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
2.3.1 How to record high environmental field boundaries on the
Environmental Features Data Sheet and FEP/FER Map. . . . . . . . . . 47
2.3.2 How to determine the length of boundaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
2.4 Grassland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
2.4.1 How to identify grassland features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
2.4.2 How to assess whether a plant species is rare, occasional
or frequent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
2.4.3 Assessing cover and sward height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Key 2a To identify semi-improved and species-rich grasslands. . . . . . . . 61
Key 2b To identify BAP grassland features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Key 2cTo identify the botanical enhancement potential of
species poor grassland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Key 3 To identify habitat for invertebrates (G11). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Key 4a To identify habitat for breeding waders – lowland (G12) . . . . . . . . 85
Key 4b To identify habitat for wintering waders and wildfowl (G13) . . . . 86
Key 4c To identify potential for habitat for lowland breeding
waders and habitat for wintering waders and wildfowl . . . . . . . . 87
Key 5a To identify habitat for breeding waders – upland (G14). . . . . . . . . 88
Key 5b To identify potential for habitat for upland breeding waders. . . 89
2.5 Heathland and moorland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Key 6 To identify HLS habitat features occurring on moorland. . . . . . . . 91
2.6 Historic environment and landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
2.6.1 Transferring HER data onto the FEP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
2.6.2 How to map historic environment and landscape features. . . . 106
2.7 Limestone pavement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
2.8 Natural resource protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
2.8.1 Soil erosion risk assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
2.9 Scrub, bracken and other tall vegetation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
2.10 Species. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
2.10.1 Names of plant species used in this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
2.10.2 General guidance on how to record information on species . . 127
2.10.3 How to record plant species data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
2.10.4 How to record rare and uncommon arable plants not listed in
Table 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
2.10.5 How to record animal species data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
2.11 Trees, wood pasture, parkland, woodland and orchards. . . . 135
2.12 Wetland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Index of features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Appendix 1
Natural England contact details. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Appendix 2
Useful web addresses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Appendix 3
List of acronyms and abbreviations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Introduction
This field Manual is part of a set of Environmental Stewardship
handbooks.
A Farm Environment Plan (FEP) is an essential part of the application
process for Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) and provides a complete
picture of the environmental interest of a farm. This Manual is designed
to provide all the guidance that is needed to complete the FEP.
© Natural England/James LePage
Harvest at Castle Hill
Section 1
Section 1
The Farm Environment Plan
(FEP)
1.1 How is a FEP prepared?
1.1.1 What do I need to do before starting a FEP?
Before starting a FEP you will need to:
■■
ppoint a FEP surveyor. You can complete your own FEP but
A
most land owners use a FEP surveyor. Natural England has a list
of registered FEP surveyors within your locality or you may wish
to use a person known to you already. Once you have appointed
a FEP surveyor, they can act on your behalf in submitting your
Environmental Stewardship application if you wish.
■■
btain ‘Permission to FEP’ from Natural England. Without
O
‘Permission to FEP’ you may not be eligible for the FEP payment
(see Section 2.1.3 of your HLS handbook).
■■
btain an application pack. This includes a pre-filled application
O
form, Environmental Information Maps, a FEP/FER Map, an ELS or
OELS Options Map, and an HLS Options Map, all of which should
be checked for accuracy. These are the only maps/ forms that will
be accepted for submission. Other maps, including GIS maps, may
not show the required information in a format that is compatible
with our mapping systems.
■■
btain a FEP form which is available in either electronic or paper
O
format. You are encouraged to use the electronic version that
is available on the Natural England website. This is because the
Historic Environment Record (HER) consultation will normally
be provided in a format that allows the information to be
electronically copied and pasted into the FEP form. (See Section
2.1.6 of your HLS handbook.)
■■
heck that you have the target area statement or theme statement
C
relevant to your land.
Farm Environment Plan (FEP) Manual - Third Edition February 2010
9
Section 1
1.1.2 What do I need to do before carrying out fieldwork?
Before carrying out a field survey of the farm, you should conduct a
desk study to collate all the available information on the area local to
your land. Make full use of existing environmental information – local
records, maps and websites – and consult with other organisations or
individuals that may hold key additional information. Time spent on
data collation before the field survey will enable it to be more focused
and efficient and will ensure that the fullest body of evidence can be
brought together to support the application for an HLS agreement.
Information to be gathered about the farm will include:
■■
presence of unrecorded historic features, de facto access;
■■
soil types across the farm;
■■
areas that are prone to soil erosion;
■■
stock management practices and/or crop rotations and patterns;
■■
otential for habitat creation or restoration. Soil nutrient and pH
p
analyses which have been carried out by a FACTS registered adviser,
within the last three years, will be useful for assessing this potential;
■■
etermine whether any family, staff or advisers are aware of the
d
presence of any species of conservation interest on the farm and
obtain details;
■■
nd out whether any surveys have recently been carried out on
fi
the farm or in the vicinity; and
■■
etermine whether more public access would be considered on
d
the farm if a demand for this can be shown.
1.1.3 Who should I consult?
Historic Environment
Local government archaeological officers will provide you with an
Historic Environment Record (HER) for your land. The HER is usually
held by the county council, unitary authority or national park
authority. It is a database of known historic sites within the county
and was formerly known as the Sites and Monuments Register (SMR).
In order to fulfil the required standard for a FEP, you must incorporate
information and advice obtained from the local Historic Environment
Record into the FEP.
10
Section 1
The HER on your land must be consulted for each FEP and before
carrying out the fieldwork stage, so that each feature can be
identified and condition assessed effectively. Key information from
the HER consultation response can be copied and pasted directly
into the eFEP.
Staff working in the HER office will provide a list of all the recorded
features present on your land and advice relating to their significance,
size and management. The National Trust and Defence Estates may
hold additional information for land owned by them, even when
managed by tenants. In addition, the local or county records office
will often have copies of useful old maps available for review.
A service standard for the information and advice that the HER
is required to provide as part of the HER consultation has been
agreed by Natural England, the Association of Local Government
Archaeological Officers (ALGAO) and English Heritage. It is available at
the ALGAO website. A link to this site is provided in Appendix 2.
A standard letter to use for the HER consultation can be found in
Appendix 4 of the HLS handbook. You will need to provide:
■■
T he official Natural England map provided for the purposes of the
application. This shows the Rural Land Register (RLR) field numbers
which should be used in the consultation response and the land
that forms the application area.
■■
A six-figure grid reference for the land.
■■
The overall holding area in hectares.
■■
clear indication of the ownership boundaries of National Trust or
A
Defence Estates land, where appropriate.
■■
here there is an existing ELS/OELS agreement on the land, a copy
W
of the agreement map and/or the FER Map to inform the HER of the
extent of any existing historic environment features and options
identified under ELS/OELS.
■■
rief details of any other land management agreements that are
B
known to exist.
■■
hich local authority/authorities areas the land falls within. This
W
can be easily identified using a clickable map on the Heritage
Gateway website. A link to this site is provided in Appendix 2.
11
Section 1
There is a charge levied for the interpretation of the HER information
and advice on management. This is a nationally agreed rate of £75 for
areas of 50 ha or less and £150 for areas of more than 50 ha. This sum
is exclusive of VAT, which may be charged according to local authority
policy. The FEP surveyor will need to make arrangements for payment
with the HER provider. The FEP payment includes reimbursement of a
proportion of this cost.
In all cases, you must attach the full HER consultation response to
the completed FEP as this includes information on priorities and the
significance of historic features which is not transferred into the FEP itself.
English Heritage is funding local authorities to undertake Historic
Landscape Character (HLC) assessments. Where available, the HER will
also provide a brief summary of the origins of the landscape of the
farm and its immediate surroundings, based on the Historic Landscape
Character description or other relevant surveys.
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)
If any of the land falls within an SSSI, as shown on the Environmental
Information Map, you must consult Natural England’s website (www.
natureonthemap.org.uk). SSSIs are divided into management units
to help record different habitats and ownerships. The following
information must be collected:
■■
The SSSI designation reference number.
■■
T he condition of each management unit, using Natural England’s
standard terms. This information must be recorded in the
‘condition’ column of the table in part 2 of the FEP form.
■■
ny other designations, for example, Special Areas of Conservation
A
(SACs). Their presence must be recorded in the designation
column of the table in part 2 of the FEP form.
1.1.4 Where can I find other sources of information?
Many features may be difficult to identify in the field, such as belowground archaeological remains, and some, such as flower-rich
hay meadows, are not possible to identify at all times of the year.
However, many features may have been recorded previously by other
surveys. Many of these survey details are available to you either on
the Internet or through local record offices.
12
Section 1
Local sources of information can be invaluable and can help to
ensure that the FEP properly reflects the environmental interest of the
land. Some websites hold national data sets which give information
on what is known about the wider area around the farm or, in some
instances (such as www.natureonthemap.org.uk), they also provide
information about individual fields. We have provided a list of useful
sources of local information in Appendix 2. However, please see our
warning below about use of data.
Data sources used should be recorded in the FEP ‘sources’ checklist in
part 6 of the FEP form.
Warning: It should be noted that some of the data sets available on the
Internet require careful interpretation. In particular, you should be aware
that the best available information on the occurrence of semi-natural
habitats is found in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) priority habitat
inventories, but this information is incomplete and the inventories may
contain omissions and errors. Information on the accuracy of each
habitat land parcel is available on the Nature on the Map website. Used
carefully, these data sets can still be very helpful in identifying land most
likely to contain (or have contained) semi-natural habitats.
1.1.5 What do I need to do with the information from consultations
and other research?
All relevant information must be marked on the FEP/FER Map,
for example, areas identified as being prone to soil erosion, SSSI
boundaries and the location of known semi-natural habitats. Some
of this information will need checking in the field to ensure that
mapping and identification are correct. Using the HER consultation
information, the ‘feature detail’, ‘designation’, ‘designation reference’
and ‘grid reference’ boxes in the Environmental Features Data Sheet
can be filled in before the site visit. It may also be possible to fill in
‘feature name and unit of measurement’.
1.2 How do I carry out fieldwork?
1.2.1 Health and safety
The bulk of the fieldwork to be carried out by the FEP surveyor relates
to the completion of the Environmental Features Data Sheet (ie part 2
13
Section 1
of the FEP form). You should be aware of the particular risks associated
with lone working and working in remote and potentially hazardous
terrain. It is your responsibility to ensure that you follow current
health and safety requirements.
1.2.2 How long will it take?
Plan to walk the whole farm. You may need to walk complex areas
more than once to ensure that all features are noted. For example,
some fields can contain more than one feature such as speciesrich grassland, areas of fen and habitat for breeding waders, high
environmental value field boundaries, in-field trees, archaeology and
field barns.
Simple arable farms with a limited variety of field boundaries may be
quicker to survey.
1.2.3 Which is the best season for doing the fieldwork?
The FEP requires the identification of a wide range of features, not all
of which can be identified at any one time of the year. For example,
species-rich hay meadows are hard to identify in the winter, soil
erosion is hard to detect in the summer, and above-ground historic
features are easier to see and condition assess in winter when
vegetation cover is low. Generally, more information can be collected
in the field in the spring, summer or autumn. However, if you are
familiar with the site and have collected good, reliable information
from background research, winter fieldwork may be possible.
1.2.4 What maps do I need for the fieldwork?
14
■■
n extra copy of the FEP/FER Map (so you can use one to work on
A
in the field and one to draw up a final version of the Map).
■■
ackground research and a fully completed response from the
B
Historic Environment Record (HER), including an HER Map that
shows the location of all historic features on the land.
■■
copy of the FER Map to use as the basis for the FEP/FER Map, if an
A
(Organic) Entry Level Stewardship (ELS/OELS) agreement is already
in place.
A FEP/FER Map which you have annotated with:
nfeatures
nfeatures
nareas
npublic
Section 1
■■
identified in the FER, if you have already completed a
FER (these will need to be checked for accuracy and corrected
if necessary when conducting the FEP). For information on
how to produce a FER Map, see Section 2.3.3 of your ELS or OELS
handbook;
identified in the desk study, including features marked
on the Environmental Information Map such as Sites of Special
Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and Scheduled Monuments (SMs)
(note: you do not need to transfer features identified on the
HER Consultation Map to the FEP/FER Map as the HER Map now
forms part of the agreement – see Section 1.1.3);
prone to soil erosion and run-off; and
rights of way.
1.2.5 What should I consider when carrying out fieldwork?
■■
efore visiting the farm, it may be useful to drive around the
B
immediate surrounding area to assess the wider landscape
character and to get an initial overview of the farm.
■■
emember to take out a landscape assessment sheet with the
R
correct target area statement or theme statement for your land.
■■
erial photographs and global positioning systems (GPS) can help
A
to locate and map features on the land, particularly in the uplands.
■■
ou will need to walk every wood and field on the land to
Y
determine if any of the features listed in the handbook are present.
If so, they must be recorded on the Environmental Features Data
Sheet along with their condition (if applicable) and size.
■■
ny opportunities for recreating or creating new environmental
A
features must also be recorded. This information can be recorded
in the notes column of part 2 of the FEP form.
■■
ll historic farm buildings or other structures that are not in
A
domestic use but are part of the holding must be identified
individually.
■■
emember that it is likely that there will be more than one feature
R
in each field.
■■
Ensure that you carry out the soil erosion risk assessment.
15
Section 1
■■
S ome features may be difficult to assess, for example, historic
features that are within an area of dense scrub. In this case, please
make the best assessment possible and record any limitations
to your assessment in the notes column of the Environmental
Features Data Sheet.
■■
ublic Rights of Way (PRoWs) need to be assessed as to whether
P
they are easy to find, easy to follow and easy to use. Record
whether any problems are outside the farmer’s control, such as fly
tipping blocking rights of way.
■■
T he range of species that HLS can address is potentially great, but
the FEP does not need to include very detailed species information.
There will be limited scope for gathering species information when
you are in the field, but you should ask the landowner about any of
the species that are mentioned in the targeting statement.
■■
emember to keep track of questions from the Farm Overview and
R
Opportunities section of the FEP form; for example, is there any
potential for upgrading or new access, or are there possibilities for
coastal and/or wetland habitat creation for flood risk management?
■■
Remember to discuss the FEP with the land manager or applicant.
1.3 How do I complete the FEP/FER Map?
Details on how to record features and annotate the FEP/FER Map are
set out below.
1.3.1 How do I map whole/part field features?
16
■■
I f a feature covers a whole field, write the feature code (in black
ink) in the centre of the field. If a feature covers a significant
proportion of the field, but not all of it, then mark the feature code
in the centre of the feature and mark the boundary of the feature
with a dashed black line.
■■
I f the field is a mosaic of different features – for example, upland
heath and upland flushes, fens and swamps, BAP habitat – mark
both/all feature codes in the centre of the field and do not attempt
to map the boundaries of the features. On open moorland
habitat, however, boundaries should be mapped as accurately
as possible – aerial photographs should be used. (See the Section
1.3.6 on mapping resolution and mosaics for further details.)
I t is quite likely that there will be more than one feature in a field.
Mark on all the codes of the features present.
■■
or large-scale features that cover more than one field, mark the
F
approximate boundary of the feature on the Map and mark the
feature code in each field.
Section 1
■■
1.3.2 How do I map field boundary features?
Boundaries should be marked as they are on the FER. The only
additional requirement for the FEP is the mapping of high
environmental value boundaries. Any boundary which meets the
definition of high environmental value should be marked with the
feature code F02 alongside the boundary line, and it’s condition
assessment added as a suffix to the code, for example, F02c for a
boundary in condition C.
It is not necessary to give each boundary a separate boundary
reference number. Write in the comments section on the field data
sheet whether it is a hedge, ditch, hedgebank, earth bank, stonefaced bank, line of trees or a stone wall and any further relevant
details. See Section 2.3.1 for more details.
1.3.3 How do I map in-field and boundary trees?
Trees should be marked on the FEP map according to the FER
guidelines, but the number of boundary trees no longer needs to be
recorded. Boundaries with trees should be marked with a green cross.
See Section 2.3.3 of your ELS or OELS handbook for more details. In-field
trees still need to be counted and marked as shown on the Map key.
Ancient trees should be marked as T01, see Section 2.11 for more details.
1.3.4 How do I map species features?
Species features should only be marked if they are regularly
associated with a discrete area, for example, bird species that are
known to nest regularly in the same field.
1.3.5 How do I map access?
Potential for new or upgraded public access routes should be marked
with a dashed dark green line. Proposed new open access areas need
not be mapped.
17
Section 1
1.3.6 How much detail should I map (mapping resolution and mosaics)?
■■
T he Map should be clear enough to enable easy identification of
the feature in the field, both to assess condition and management
needs and to carry out quality control procedures.
■■
ny features that are significant enough to merit differing
A
management (potentially involving different options/supplements)
should be mapped (or, when very small, indicated as dots or lines)
separately. This could, for example, include SSSI features. As a
guide, area type features (generally habitats) should be mapped
individually where they cover either more than 0.25 ha (50 m by 50
m) or more than 10 per cent of the field unit.
■■
mosaic is a complex and repeated co-occurrence of two or more
A
habitats. Mosaics can be mapped by marking the codes for the
features contributing to the mosaic in the centre of the area, without
the need to map the extent of individual components (though the
area occupied by the individual features should be estimated and
entered in the FEP table). The component habitats are at a scale
and resolution that makes mapping of individual components
impractical. The mosaic itself may be a discrete feature within a
grazing unit, which otherwise holds a different feature. See also
Section 1.3.1, with particular reference to moorland habitats.
1.4 How do I complete the FEP form?
The FEP form is sub-divided into the following parts:
■■
Part 1 – Farm and surveyor details.
■■
art 2 – The Environmental Features Data Sheet: this is where
P
information on the location, condition and size of all existing fieldscale environmental features is collected.
■■
arts 3, 4 and 5 – These have been replaced by the Farm Overview
P
and Opportunities form.
■■
Part 6 – Checklists.
1.4.1 Part 1 – Farm and surveyor details
This should normally be your details. If you are represented by an
agent then their details should be entered here. The HLS application
number can be found on the pre-printed FEP or HLS application form
and on the maps sent to you.
18
Section 1
Include details of the surveyor who carries out the FEP and the date(s)
of the FEP visit(s). The total area covered by the FEP must be the same
area of land that is shown on the FEP/FER Map as registered on the
RLR (this may not be the same as the total area of the farm).
1.4.2 Part 2 – Environmental Features Data Sheet
Keep all features relating to the same field together on the Data Sheet
wherever possible. Most features should be identified in a separate
line on the Data Sheet. The only exceptions are boundary features,
or where a feature is regarded as part of a complex habitat in a large
field or is part of a group of similar features, for example, in-field trees.
Where a feature, such as a large-scale historic feature or designed
parkland, extends across several fields in different conditions, these
should be recorded as separate features so that their condition can
be assessed and suitable management proposed. The designation
reference number will tell us these are the same feature.
An example of the Environmental Features Data Sheet can be found
in Section 1.4.3. This can be cross-referenced with the example FEP/
FER Map at the back of this Manual.
19
Section 1
Land Parcel
Number
Boundary Feature
Reference Group
Feature List
SW63259156
20
Section 1
1.4.3 Example Environmental Features Data Sheet
This example Data Sheet lists many (but not all) of the features shown
on the example FEP/FER Map at the back of this Manual. It can be
partially cross-referenced.
Feature
Detail
Designation
Designation
Reference
Grid Ref
Feature
Quantity
Feature
Unit of
Measure
Feature
Condition
Notes
6.54
ha
Currently
arable CREATE:
G04 – Lowland
calcareous
grassland – BAP
habitat; K = good
potential; SS = P
index 0, K index 1
4
No.
4 breeding pairs
present on farm
SW64250748
Species
SB05 – Grey
Partridge
SW64250748
Historic
Environment
and
Landscape
H07 –
Building
– Farm –
Traditional
roofed
Cow shed
SW64011234 1
No.
B
Failed on 4 (ivy)
SW64250748
Historic
Environment
and
Landscape
H12 – Built
water feature
Industrial
SW64248732 1
No.
C
Failed on 2, 3 & 4
SW64251835
Species
SP02 –
Uncommon
Vascular
Plants
Pillwort
SW64257443
Heathland
and
Moorland
M01 - Grass
Moorland
SW64255239
Grassland
G02 – Semiimproved
grassland
12.25
ha
3.65
ha
No heather, low
potential for
restoration
B
RESTORE: G04
– Lowland
calcareous
grassland – BAP
habitat; K = good
potential; SS = P
index 1.
Failed on 3
21
Section 1
1.4.4 How do I complete the Environmental Features Data Sheet?
Land parcel number
Enter the field or parcel number from the FEP/FER Map – this must
be the ten character RLR number (ie two alpha and eight numeric
characters).
Boundary reference
A boundary reference is not required, instead use the parcel number
of an adjacent field. The comments section on the field Data Sheet
should be used to justify their designation as boundaries of high
environmental value.
Feature name
FEP features are grouped into different categories and are defined
in this Manual. Each feature has a unique code attributed to it. An
area can have more than one feature associated with it, for example,
a BAP hay meadow and a below-ground historic feature. Select
the appropriate feature from the drop-down list in the electronic
version or from the printed list in this Manual. Only feature names
corresponding to the list in this Manual can be used; other feature
names will not be accepted.
Feature detail
Some features have defined feature details assigned to them, for
example, the feature ‘Upland heath’ has two feature details: wet heath
and dry heath. (If both these feature details are found in one field,
the feature should be recorded twice, once for each feature detail).
Where these can be reliably identified, they provide useful additional
information. There are many feature details associated with historic
features and species. Where feature details have been provided for
recorded historic environment features in the Historic Environment
Record (HER) consultation, these can be used confidently. While you
should try to identify the feature details of historic features, if they
cannot be identified confidently this box should be left blank. The
feature detail for buildings should relate to its original function.
Only feature details identified in this Manual should be used and feature
details should only be used with the feature to which they are assigned.
22
Section 1
Designation reference
The designation reference identifies Sites of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSIs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas
(SPAs), World Heritage Sites (WHSs), Scheduled Monuments (SMs),
Listed Buildings (LBs), Registered Parks and Gardens (RPGs), Registered
Battlefields (RBs) and sites identified on the Historic Environment
Record (HER). Where present, all these designations will be shown
on the Environmental Information Map, except sites on the HER and
Listed Buildings, which will be provided by the HER consultation.
Where a designation exists, the designation reference must be
entered into this field. Designation references for SSSIs, SACs and
SPAs can be found on Natural England’s website
(www.naturalengland.org.uk). The SSSI designation number can also
be found on Natural England’s ‘Nature on the Map’ website
(www.natureonthemap.org.uk), the number that needs to be entered
on the Data Sheet is the Management Unit ID.
Grid reference
You should only need to record a grid reference for any individual
historic features, historic buildings and structures. However, you may
find it useful to supply a grid reference to help locate a small feature,
such as a pond, within a large field, or to identify individual features
when there are several similar ones in the same field, for example,
individual upland springs on a hillside with several springs.
Grid references must have eight figures, that is two letters to denote
the map sheet (100 km grid square) and three easting and three
northing co-ordinates.
Feature area/length/quantity
This is to identify the extent of each identified feature. Where an
area-based feature occupies only part of a field, an estimate of the
extent of the feature should be made, based on the result of the
survey. If the survey shows that the size of the feature differs from
any information provided, for example, by the HER consultation, the
actual size of the feature should be recorded.
The appropriate unit of measurement for each feature is included in
the electronic form and is listed for each feature in this Manual.
23
Section 1
Feature condition
The majority of features require an assessment of their condition.
For most of these there are three possible condition assessment
categories: A, B or C. The condition must be identified using the
guidance in Section 2 of this Manual. Please note that a different
methodology is used when assessing the feature condition of SSSIs
and Scheduled Monuments (see below).
Each feature that requires a condition assessment has a series of criteria
associated with it (there are usually four different criteria for each feature).
The condition assessment category is derived from the number of
criteria that the feature meets, as shown in Table 1. Only features
in very good condition will be classed as being in category A. The
condition of the feature can help to determine which management
option would be most suitable.
Table 1 Feature criteria and condition assessment categories
Number of missed/
failed criteria
Condition
assessment category
Probable management
level
0
A
Maintain
1
B
Maintain or restore
2 or more
C
Restore
Feature condition in Sites of Special Scientific Interest
It is important that you identify all features in SSSIs according to the
definitions in this Manual.
Natural England carries out its own detailed condition assessments
of SSSI interest features (for which the site was notified). To avoid
confusion and to aid consistency, please use the following protocol
when assessing feature condition in SSSIs.
Natural England’s ‘Nature on the Map’ website
(www.natureonthemap.org.uk) provides access to citations that give
the reasons for notification of SSSIs. Condition assessments for SSSI
units are also provided. An assessment takes account of all notified
features occurring in that unit. For these features, please use Natural
England’s condition assessment for the site (or part of the site). See
www.jncc.gov.uk/page-2199 for more details.
24
Section 1
If an RLR land parcel is subdivided into more than one SSSI unit, the
condition of any HLS feature should correspond to the appropriate
SSSI unit. Where an HLS feature is covered by more than one SSSI unit,
note this against the feature and use the condition category for the
majority of the site units.
If there are biological features that are unrelated to the SSSI feature,
for example, a hedgerow around the edge of a species-rich hay
meadow, please assess according to the HLS criteria as normal. If
there is any doubt about whether the HLS feature is covered by the
SSSI, please use Natural England’s condition assessment as noted on
our website. Please identify and assess non-biological HLS features
such as historic features according to the HLS criteria as normal.
Feature condition of Scheduled Monuments
English Heritage is carrying out its own programme of condition
assessments for Scheduled Monuments. Therefore, where the
HER consultation shows a condition assessment for a Scheduled
Monument which has been provided by English Heritage, then please
use this on the FEP.
When carrying out a condition assessment for a Scheduled
Monument, consider a reasonable surrounding area in order to assign
condition. For instance, a barrow is likely to have a ditch around
the outside of the mound that cannot now be seen. In this case, the
mound plus a margin to a width of 10 m should be assessed.
Notes column
This column should be used to convey any important specific
information about the feature that is not collected elsewhere,
including the following:
■■
ondition assessment failure details: If a feature falls into
C
condition category B or C, record the criteria number(s) that the
feature failed on. For example, if a reedbed falls into condition C
because it is dominated by scrub and has dried out, record ‘C’ in
the feature condition column and ‘1 and 3’ in the notes column,
as these are the numbers of the criteria that it failed to meet. You
may find it helpful to add a word or two in brackets for ease of
understanding, for example, ‘scrub’ or ‘gappiness’.
25
Section 1
■■
Discrepancies: If there is a discrepancy in feature size, this should
be noted.
■■
Threats: Record details of any threats to the feature.
■■
S ignificant changes to the condition of an SSSI: If there have been
recent significant changes to the condition of an SSSI which are not
reflected in Natural England’s condition assessment, please make a
note of the changes.
■■
Opportunities for habitat restoration and creation: Suggested
management and target habitat should be recorded wherever
opportunities for habitat restoration and creation have been
identified. Using the keys to the botanical enhancement potential
of grassland, you should identify the potential for habitat
restoration or creation on land that:
n
supported a high-value habitat in the past; or
nis
adjacent to, or links, existing semi-natural habitats; or
nwould
support species of conservation interest known to use
nearby land; or
nhas
been identified by conservation agencies as being
suitable for meeting particular objectives, for example, flood
management, coastal re-alignment or buffering SSSIs.
To enable data to be extracted for reporting and analysis,
information in support of the management recommendations
should be recorded in a standard format. The following codes
should be used when recording the supporting information,
followed by the result:
n
K to record the outcome from the key; and
n
SS to record the result of a soil sample.
For example, where the grassland key suggests that semi-improved
grassland has ‘high potential’ for restoration (supported by a
soil sample) and the desired outcome of management is G04 –
Lowland calcareous grassland – BAP habitat, the following text
should be recorded in the notes column:
RESTORE: G04 – Lowland calcareous grassland – BAP habitat;
K = High potential; SS = P index 1
Further information on additional specific data required for each
individual feature is included in Section 2 under each feature heading
26
Section 1
(under the ‘Notes column’ sub-headings). It is acceptable to leave
this column blank where there is no specific requirement to record
additional data.
1.4.5 How do I complete the Farm Overview and Opportunities form?
This form has replaced Parts 3, 4 and 5 of the FEP form, and is
designed to cover those issues that are best considered on a farm
scale rather than by individual field and the potential for creation of
new features. Unless the surveyor is particularly familiar with the
farm, this part should be completed during or after the site visit.
Farm overview
The farm overview is intended to provide a succinct description of
the farm and its management. This includes:
■■
past and current farming systems;
■■
i nformation on breeds of stock, stocking rates, and livestock
systems;
■■
details of rotations and cropping;
■■
woodland and wetland areas;
■■
details of soil types, soil analyses, pH and organic matter;
■■
ey management practices, for example, use of contractors or
k
graziers, minimal tillage, organic cultivation, soil erosion issues,
designated land, tenanted land, common land; and
■■
etails of any farming or other business aspirations in the medium
d
to long term which may affect the farming system, for example,
diversification enterprises or retirement/succession plans.
Landscape
This section provides an assessment of the landscape character of
the farm and the surrounding countryside. Assessing landscape
character helps to identify what makes a place distinctive, what gives
a locality its own ‘sense of place’ and what makes it different from the
neighbouring valley, plain or surrounding area.
The farm landscape assessment is designed to identify the
‘key’ characteristics and features present, potential changes in
management and any management priorities that will benefit
27
Section 1
the landscape. The priorities will be assessed together with any
conflicts between other environmental interests, to inform the
selection of appropriate land management options that will achieve
environmental benefits on the farm.
The whole of England has been surveyed and its landscape character
classified and described. This national landscape character
assessment originally identified 159 different Countryside Character
Areas known as Joint Character Areas (JCAs). These have been used
to help define the overall landscape character of areas in which
individual holdings were located. Details of the boundaries of the
JCAs, their full descriptions and ‘key’ characteristics are available
on the Natural England website. They have now been replaced by
National Character Areas (NCAs) which also can be found on the
Natural England website (see Appendix 2 for details).
This landscape assessment has three key requirements in relation to
the National Character Area relating to your land:
■■
description of the landscape character of the farm and
a
surrounding countryside using, and referring to, information from
relevant NCA descriptions;
■■
a list of significant landscape features found on the farm; and
■■
t he priorities, opportunities and constraints for landscape
management and enhancement on the farm.
In many locations, there may be a much more detailed local or
regional assessment of landscape character carried out by a county
council or local planning authority. This will provide more relevant
and useful information at the farm scale. A list of local landscape
character assessments can be found on the Landscape Character
Network website (see Appendix 2 for details).
Local and regional landscape assessments are often updated, so refer
to the website regularly. Where available, the Historic Landscape
Character assessment should also be used to identify additional
features on the farm. These documents provide a rich source of
valuable information on which landscape features are significant on
your land and how the farm fits into the wider landscape.
28
■■
easy to find (ie well advertised);
■■
easy to follow (ie well signposted); and
■■
easy to use (ie not obstructed).
Section 1
Access
Significant problems. Identify any problems with existing public
access that may help us assess the suitability of any proposed new
access. Existing public access routes, as shown on the Environmental
Information Map should be:
If the network of public rights of way does not meet the above
criteria, this should be recorded. It is important to record whether
any problems are outside the farmer’s control, such as fly tipping
blocking a public right of way.
As an example, if a public right of way runs across an archaeological
feature and causes erosion, this could be identified as an opportunity
to create an alternative route.
De facto access. One of the scheme objectives is to improve public
access to the countryside. One way of doing this is to legitimise and
support farmers and land managers in maintaining de facto routes.
De facto routes are those which are commonly used but are not legal
public rights of way.
Potential for new access. We are interested in opportunities for
creating new routes that:
■■
ll gaps in the local rights of way network or give access to, add to
fi
or enhance long distance routes and coastal access;
■■
rovide access to, and between, land locked open country
p
designated under the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act
as open access land; and/or
■■
pgrade CRoW Act open access land for other users, for example,
u
people with reduced mobility, horse riders and cyclists.
The FEP should show what is considered to be possible and
potentially beneficial to the public and what you are minded to
consider entering into HLS. This includes existing Environmentally
Sensitive Areas and Countryside Stewardship access routes which the
farmer or land manager wishes to continue under HLS.
29
Section 1
Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP). If a Rights of Way
Improvement Plan is available, the priorities within it should be
considered when assessing potential new routes. Rights of Way
Improvement Plans are prepared by local authorities, and can be
obtained from the local authority highways department. You should
also refer to the local HLS targeting statement.
Potential for new routes or upgrading existing routes. There may
be potential for providing new access for the public to interesting,
unusual or unique features on the land. There may also be potential
for upgrading existing public footpaths to create a bridleway or
surfaced route more suitable for use by disabled people.
Educational access. This information is optional and only required
if the applicant is likely to apply for the educational access option.
Demand for educational access should be discussed with local
schools or other groups. Evidence of potential demand will be
required at the HLS application stage. This option very much
depends on the land manager being willing and able to spend time
with groups explaining the farm and farming in general. Your Natural
England adviser will also be able to tell you whether there are gaps in
the existing provision in the locality.
Natural resource protection
HLS has management options that will help to reduce diffuse pollution
from farmland. This Section is aimed at identifying where diffuse
pollution is likely to occur and recommending management solutions
through HLS options. Your Natural England adviser will discuss any
natural resource protection issues with you. See also Section 2.8 which
includes guidance on how to identify soil erosion risk.
You will need to find out if any part of the land is within a priority
catchment area or any other target area for resource protection.
Where resource protection has been identified as a priority for HLS
targeting this will be clearly stated in the target area statements.
Please briefly outline the most important measures that need to be
taken on the land to protect natural resources. This may include any
issues identified during discussions you may have had with Natural
England advisers.
30
■■
r ecord the outcome of any subsequent consultation with the
Environment Agency; and
■■
i nclude an assessment of any potential management or habitat
creation possibilities, for example, creation of new wetland
features, ponds, ditches, inter-tidal habitats.
Section 1
Coastal and wetland habitat creation and flood risk management
The possibilities for the creation of coastal and/or wetland habitat
and contributing to flood risk management in the area may be
discussed with you by your Natural England adviser. If so (or if any
potential is identified during the FEP), then you should:
To identify whether land is on a river or coastal flood plain, you will
need to use the Environment Agency website (www.environmentagency.gov.uk) or the MAGIC website (www.magic.gov.uk). The
Environment Agency is responsible for formally identifying land
that has potential for reducing flood risk and potential for coastal
realignment. They normally consult with the landowner or tenant, so
you may already be aware of any land that has been targeted. If you
are in doubt as to whether this applies to any of your land you should
contact the Environment Agency for further information.
Land actively protected from regular flooding will usually be behind
defences such as sea walls and river walls or have pumped drainage.
You will be required to provide information on natural resources and
protection of sensitive habitats, and opportunities for enhancement
through the use of HLS options.
Opportunities and management proposals
The FEP surveyor should consider the features that have been
identified on the Environmental Features Data Sheet (Part 2) against
the appropriate target area or theme statement in respect of the land,
and then complete this part of the form to give an assessment of what
you consider to be the key opportunities on your land for addressing
regional HLS priorities.
The most significant environmental features on the land should be
highlighted, with a summary of the proposed HLS options (including
codes) and recommended management.
31
Section 1
1.4.6 Part 6 – Record of consultations and FEP checklist
Please identify which websites and organisations have been
consulted in the process of carrying out this FEP. It is necessary to
send us the full consultation response from the HER and supporting
evidence for applications including access. Please do not send us any
other supporting documentation relating to any other investigations.
1.5 How do I submit the completed FEP?
1.5.1 How do I submit the FEP forms and Maps?
First ensure that all the field numbers used in both the FEP form and
on the FEP/FER Map match and are consistent with the RLR before
submitting an application. Retain copies of all documentation.
Then send the following documents to your Natural England office:
■■
the FEP/FER Maps;
■■
ll material obtained in consultation with the HER (the name of the
a
applicant must be clearly marked on the HER response);
■■
the completed paper FEP form.
Make clear that these documents accompany an eFEP that has been
submitted separately. Details of Natural England offices are available
in Appendix 1.
Details of how to submit an eFEP can be found on the Natural England
website (see Appendix 2 for full details).
1.5.2 Will I be reimbursed for the costs incurred in obtaining a FEP?
You will normally be paid by us for submitting a FEP as long as it
meets the required standards and accompanies a properly completed
HLS application. Therefore, a FEP should not be commissioned unless
you have been granted ‘permission to FEP’ by Natural England for
your land.
The amount that you are paid for a FEP will depend on the total area
of RLR registered land as shown on the FEP/FER Map.
32
Area (ha)
Total payment (£)
less than 5.5
395
5.5 to 15.49
555
15.5 to 49.49
715
49.5 to 149.49
1,035
149.5 to 200.49
1,110
200.5 to 500.49
1,430
500.5 to 1,000.49
1,750
1,000.5 to 1,500.49
2,070
1,500.5 to 2,000.49
2,390
2,000.5 to 2,500.49
2,710
2,500.5 to 3,000
3,030
greater than 3,000
3,350
Section 1
The payments are set out in the table below. This payment includes
an amount to cover the fees charged for consulting the Historic
Environment Record (see Section 1.1.3 for further details).
Please note that the payment will not be based on the actual costs incurred.
The FEP payment is not dependent upon a successful application
to join HLS. If a FEP and properly completed HLS application are
submitted following ‘permission to FEP’ being granted by Natural
England, then it will be eligible for a FEP payment, provided the FEP
meets the required standards.
If the HLS application proceeds to agreement, then the FEP payment
will be processed once the signed HLS agreement document has been
returned and the start date of the agreement has passed.
If the HLS application is rejected, then the FEP payment will be processed
once the decision to reject the HLS application has been taken.
33
Section 1
1.5.3 Are there any quality standards for a FEP?
We will only pay for FEPs that meet our quality standards so you will
need to be confident that whoever produces the FEP is competent
in this area of work. Natural England advisers will conduct office
and field checks to ensure that FEPs are of sufficient quality and
have included all the required consultations. We recognise that
completing some parts of the FEP requires a degree of judgement;
however, if the FEP is found to contain any material inaccuracies
or omissions, you will be asked to correct and resubmit it. You will
not receive the FEP payment until it meets our quality standards. If
material inaccuracies or omissions are found once an HLS agreement
is in place, we may consider this to be a breach of the agreement
and consider appropriate sanctions. For details of how we deal with
breaches and appeals, please see Section 1.5 of your ELS or OELS
handbook and the declaration on the FEP form.
34
Section 2
Section 2
Features, feature details
and condition assessments
2.1 Arable
Feature
Page number
Feature detail
Unit of
measurement
A01 – Arable
35
–
ha
A01 – Arable
■■
T his includes land used for the production of combinable crops,
root crops, field-scale vegetables or maize.
■■
I t also includes land used for game cover crops, agri-environment
arable and margin options and grass margins in arable fields.
Short-term leys forming part of a crop rotation are also included in
this land type.
Additional information
■■
A01 should only be recorded on the FEP/FER Map.
Condition assessment
No condition assessment is required for this feature.
Notes column
Please refer to Section 1.4.4. In addition, the following should be
recorded:
if the land has potential for habitat creation Key 1 can be used to
determine the potential of arable land for reversion to species-rich
grassland.
■■
35
Key 1 – Key to the potential of arable land for reversion to species rich grassland
The status of the soil available phosphorus in the main body of the field is:
Section 2
High
(ie >25 mg/l or index 3)
Is the soil potassium status
very low (<61mg/l or index 0)?
Moderate
(ie 16-25 mg/l or index 2)
No
Low
(ie <16 mg/l or index 0 or 1)
UNSUITABLE
Are livestock available for
management?
Yes
Yes
Does the soil or slope impose moderate stress on plants
by either:
nDrought: shallow (10–20 cm above rock), or very stony
soil (36–70% stones), or very light texture (sand or
loamy sand) to >30 cm depth or above rock.
n Steepness: steep slope of >16o (29% or 1 in 5.6)
n Waterlogging: soil wetness class IV1
No
No
HIGH
POTENTIAL2
MEDIUM
POTENTIAL2
Yes
Will management be by hay cutting, with aftermath
cattle grazing at least 2 years in 3?
management?
Yes
Yes
No
LOW POTENTIAL
No
Total soil nitrogen is:
Moderate/
High
(>0.25%)
MEDIUM POTENTIAL
Low2
(<0.25%)
LOW POTENTIAL
Are injurious/pernicious weeds present? (eg ragwort, dock, spear thistle, creeping thistle, couch grass,
blackgrass, sterile brome): or is the vegetation or soil seed bank dominated by aggressive species? (eg white
clover, ryegrass)
Yes
DELAY ESTABLISHMENT
Until these species have been controlled
1
2
36
No
NO NEED TO DELAY ESTABLISHMENT
Soils with wetness class IV are waterlogged for long periods in winter.
Soils low in total soil nitrogen (<0.25%) are likely to give a very unproductive sward and the land manager
should be warned of this.
2.2 Coastal
Page
number
Feature
detail
Unit of
measurement
C01 – Coastal salt marsh – BAP
habitat
38
–
ha
C02 – Coastal sand dunes – BAP
habitat
40
–
ha
C03 – Coastal vegetated shingle –
BAP habitat
42
–
ha
C04 – Littoral and sublittoral chalk
– BAP habitat
43
–
ha
C05 – Maritime cliffs and slopes –
BAP habitat
43
–
ha
C06 – Mudflats – BAP habitat
44
–
ha
C07 – Saline lagoons – BAP habitat
44
–
ha
Section 2
Feature
See also:
G15 – Coastal and flood plain grazing marsh – BAP habitat (page 83)
M03– Lowland heath – BAP habitat (page 95)
V05 – Scrub of high environmental value (page 124)
Several species of interest are associated with coastal habitats (page
127)
General information
■■
oastal sites can have a complex mosaic of habitats and may
C
contain SSSI, SPA or SAC designations. If in doubt seek specialist
advice from Natural England. For any habitat assessed that
is adjacent to the coast, you must take account of Shoreline
Management Plans (SMPs) where available from the Environment
Agency.
■■
any of these habitats are also likely to be used by breeding birds
M
and may support rare plants. Please remember to record these
separately on the Data Sheet.
■■
or definitions of plant species frequencies (rare, occasional or
F
frequent) please see the grassland section (Section 2.4.2).
37
Notes column
Please refer to Section 1.4.4. In addition, if there is an SMP or coastal
strategy that needs to be taken into account, this should be recorded.
Section 2
C01 – Coastal salt marsh – BAP habitat
■■
S alt marshes are areas of fine muds and silts (although they can
also have patches of coarser sand or shingle) that are regularly
inundated by the tide and are vegetated by salt-tolerant plants.
■■
S alt marsh vegetation tends to be zoned as the land rises up away
from the low tide mark. The lowest areas tend to be dominated
by ‘pioneer’ species such as glassworts. As the marsh become
more vegetated, saltmarsh grasses and sea-purslane become more
common; this is generally known as lower salt marsh. Middle salt
marsh is generally inundated for shorter periods, and sea aster,
sea-lavender and saltmarsh rush are more common. The upper
salt marsh is inundated only at the top of normal tides but can
continue up to 1 m above the highest tides. This is a ‘transitional’
habitat, with both salt- and fresh-water influences. Species such
as sea wormwood and sea club-rush are typical of this zone. See
example of salt marsh zones in Figure 1.
■■
S alt marsh habitat will have a minimum of four of the plant species
listed in Table 2 occurring at least occasionally throughout the
sward (defined as 11% to 30% cover).
Figure 1 – Example of a typical salt marsh cross section
38
Table 2 Typical salt marsh species
Lower to mid salt
marsh species
Mid to upper salt
marsh species
Annual glassworts
Annual sea-blite
Creeping bent
Annual sea-blite
Common saltmarshgrass
Red fescue
Common saltmarshgrass
Common
scurvygrass
Saltmarsh
flat-sedge
Sea aster
Sea arrowgrass
Saltmarsh rush
Sea aster
Sea arrowgrass
Sea plantain
Sea aster
Sea-purslane
Sea-lavenders
Sea spurreys
Sea milkwort
Section 2
Lower salt marsh
pioneer species
Sea plantain
Sea-purslane
Shrubby sea-blite
Slender spike-rush
Thrift
1.Cover of salt marsh flowers, sedges and rushes throughout the
middle to upper salt marsh sward (see Table 2) is at least 20%.
2.The salt marsh has a long history of stable management, either
grazing or ‘non-intervention’, and this is continuing.
3.Bare ground or damage caused by poaching, vehicular use or boat
moorings is below 10%.
4.There is no evidence to indicate that the salt marsh is eroding (the
landowner can usually tell you if they are losing salt marsh). A salt
marsh consisting mostly of lower salt marsh in front of a sea wall
can indicate erosion, as can the occurrence of a cliff between the
marsh and mudflat in an exposed estuarine location.
Notes column
Please refer to ‘Notes column’ in the coastal features section on page
38.
39
C02 – Coastal sand dunes – BAP habitat
oastal sand dunes are deposits of blown sand vegetated by
C
specialised plants.
■■
sand dune system can start at the top of the beach where
A
strandline habitats are vegetated by annual species. This
progresses through ‘embryonic’ and mobile dunes, known as ‘fore
dunes’, that have large areas of bare sand and are dominated by
marram grass, sand couch or lyme-grass. These areas are unstable
and will be altered by heavy rainfall and strong winds. Further
inland the dunes become more stable and the vegetation is known
as ‘fixed dune grassland’ (or occasionally dune heath). These stable
areas may also include dune slacks (temporary pools) or other
wetlands (seasonal or permanent). See illustrated example of a
typical dune zonation in Figure 2.
■■
here the full range of zonation is not present because erosion
W
by the sea has affected the embryonic and mobile dunes, the FEP
should focus on the semi-fixed and fixed zones.
■■
T he sand can be either acidic or calcareous, depending on its
source. This affects the plants that dominate the fixed dunes.
Section 2
■■
Figure 2 – Example of typical dune zonation
40
Table 3 Typical sand dune species
Fore dune
Lyme-grass and marram grass (frequent to dominant) with large
areas of bare sand.
Section 2
Fixed calcareous dune
biting stonecrop, common bird’s-foot-trefoil, common cat’s-ear,
common dog-violet, common mouse-ear, common stork’s-bill,
dove’s-foot crane’s-bill, early hair-grass, eyebrights, fairy flax, false
oat-grass, field wood-rush, germander speedwell, glaucous sedge,
heath dog-violet, lady’s bedstraw, mouse-ear hawkweed, purple
milk-vetch, red bartsia, red fescue, restharrow, ribwort plantain,
sand sedge, selfheal, smooth hawk’s-beard, white clover, wild
pansy, wild thyme and yellow rattle.
Fixed acid dune or heath
bell heather, common bent, common bird’s-foot-trefoil, common
cat’s-ear, early hair-grass, field wood-rush, germander speedwell,
heather, heath bedstraw, heath dog-violet, heath milkwort, mouse-ear
hawkweed, pill sedge, purple milk-vetch, ribwort plantain, sand sedge,
sheep’s fescue, tormentil, wavy hair-grass, white clover and wild thyme.
Dune slack
bog pimpernel, common bird’s-foot-trefoil, common marshbedstraw, creeping willow, cross-leaved heath, glaucous sedge,
lesser spearwort, marsh orchid, marsh pennywort, restharrow, sand
sedge, selfheal, tormentil and water mint.
1.The full range of sand dune zonation and succession is present
and intact. This covers embryonic dunes adjacent to the strandline
through to mobile dunes and fixed dune grassland (or heath)
in more stable areas, and may include dune slacks or wetlands
(seasonal or permanent).
2.At least 75% of the fixed dune vegetation cover has at least eight
(for calcareous dunes) or at least six (for acidic dunes) different
plant species (refer to Table 3) per square metre.
41
3.Scrub cover of undesirable species (sea buckthorn (except for sites
where it is occurs as a native from East Sussex to North Yorkshire)
and bramble) is less than 5% across the site as a whole.
Section 2
4.The extent of bare sand (small-scale footpath erosion, small sandy
clifflets, natural sand blow-outs and open areas within fore dunes)
is between 5% and 15%.
Notes column
Please refer to ‘Notes column’ in the coastal features section on page 38.
C03 – Coastal vegetated shingle – BAP habitat
■■
oastal vegetated shingle supports a distinctive pattern of
C
specialised vegetation and associated invertebrates and birds.
■■
haracteristic species include bristly oxtongue, curled dock, false
C
oat-grass, lyme-grass, red fescue, sea beet, sea campion, sea-kale,
sea pea, yellow-horned poppy and Yorkshire-fog.
■■
T he vegetation can vary depending on the shingle structure, age
and stability. Stable vegetation establishes on shingle that is out
of reach of destructive waves during the growing season. The
vegetation may consist of 100% grass cover as it may have been
ploughed out in the past.
■■
o not include shingle that is not vegetated or narrow lines of
D
plants along the top of shingle beaches.
1.Zonation is present and there is a succession of typical habitats and
vegetation (see description above) on the coastal shingle deposits.
2.Undesirable species (spear thistle, common ragwort, bracken, red
valerian, common nettle, gorse, tree lupin, tamarisk and invasive
non-native species) cover no more than 5%.
3.Natural undulations in the shingle structure are present and may
retain permanent or temporary standing water.
4.Bare shingle or damage caused by trampling or vehicular use is less
than 10%.
Notes column
42
C04 – Littoral and sublittoral chalk – BAP habitat
T his refers to exposed coastal chalk, mainly in cliffs or gently
sloping platforms.
■■
T his rare habitat occurs sporadically on the south and east coasts
from Dorset to East Yorkshire, but mainly in Kent and Sussex.
Section 2
■■
If the site is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), use the latest
condition assessment from Natural England, otherwise leave the box
blank.
Notes column
C05 – Maritime cliffs and slopes – BAP habitat
■■
T his refers to heathland or unimproved grassland on maritime
cliffs or slopes.
■■
It includes the cliff-top vegetation that is influenced by salt spray.
■■
haracteristic species include red fescue, thrift, sea plantain,
C
buck’s-horn plantain and sometimes heathers.
■■
I t is often found in a mosaic with scrub, bracken, wet flushes and,
locally, natural slippages.
1.The average sward height of grazed grassland on cliff tops should not
generally exceed a height of 10 cm at the end of the grazing season.
2.Any cover of bracken and scrub should be no more than occasional
throughout the site (see Section 2.4.2 for guidance on how to assess
whether a plant species is rare, occasional or frequent).
3.Undesirable plants (spear thistle, creeping thistle, broad-leaved
dock, curled dock, common ragwort, perennial rye-grass, common
nettle, white clover and invasive non-native species) should be no
more than rare.
4.There should be a no-input buffer of at least 20 m between the
cliff top and any intensively farmed land.
43
Notes column
Section 2
C06 – Mudflats – BAP habitat
■■
udflats are the unvegetated (although they can be covered with
M
algae) part of the inter-tidal zone that occurs on the seaward or
estuary edge.
■■
T hey consist of fine sediments that are exposed, and remain
saturated, at low tide and are regularly inundated by all tides.
■■
Mudflats occur especially in estuaries.
If the site is an SSSI, use the latest condition assessment from Natural
England, otherwise leave the box blank.
Notes column
C07 – Saline lagoons – BAP habitat
■■
T hese are coastal saline water bodies that are partially separated
from the sea.
■■
T hey normally retain at least some water, although salinity and
water levels can fluctuate.
■■
They are topped up by sea water at least occasionally.
1. Algal blooms should not cover more than 20% of the water surface.
2.Vegetation on any mud or shingle islands should not exceed 10%
of the island(s).
3.By area, the percentage of water in the saline lagoon at all times
of the year and during all states of the tide should be between
60% and 80%, with a wide shallow area of exposed mud or ‘beach’
during summer drawdown.
Notes column
44
2.3 Field boundaries
Page
Feature detail
number
F02 – High environmental
value boundary
49
Unit of
measurement
Hedgerow
m
Line of trees
m
Hedgebank
m
Earth bank
m
Section 2
Feature
Stone faced bank m
Stone wall
m
Wet ditch
m
See also:
H01 – Above-ground historic feature (page 106)
H03 – Historic routeway (page 109)
H04 – Large-scale archaeological feature (page 109)
H05 – Relict boundary of historic importance (page 110)
H13 – Fence/railing of historic or landscape importance (page 117)
H14 – Designed landscape (park pale) (page 118)
H15 – Parkland structure (ha-ha) (page 119)
T01 – Ancient trees (page 135)
T07 – Landmark woodland (for shelterbelts) (page 144)
General information
■■
BAP hedgerow is any hedgerow that is composed of more than
A
80% native woody species. The following table should be used
when assessing the species content of a hedgerow.
45
Table 4 Hedgerow woody species (from Schedule 3 of the Hedgerow
Regulations 1997)
Section 2
alder (Alnus glutinosa)
apple, crab (Malus sylvestris)
ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
aspen (Populus tremula)
beech (Fagus sylvatica)
birch, downy (Betula pubescens)
birch, silver (Betula pendula)
black-poplar (Populus nigra subspecies betulifolia)
blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)
box (Buxus sempervirens)
broom (Cytisus scoparius)
buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)
buckthorn, alder (Frangula alnus)
butcher’s-broom (Ruscus aculeatus)
cherry, bird (Prunus padus)
cherry, wild (Prunus avium)
cotoneaster (Cotoneaster
intergerrimus/cambricus)
currant, downy (Ribes spicatum)
currant, mountain (Ribes alpinum)
dogwood (Cornus sanguinea)
elder (Sambucus nigra)
elm (Ulmus species)
gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa)
gorse (Ulex europaeus)
gorse, dwarf (Ulex minor)
gorse, western (Ulex gallii)
guelder rose (Viburnum opulus)
hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
hawthorn, midland (Crataegus
laevigata)
46
hazel (Corylus avellana)
holly (Ilex aquifolium)
hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)
juniper, common (Juniperus
communis)
lime, large-leaved (Tilia
platyphyllos)
lime, small-leaved (Tilia cordata)
maple, field (Acer campestre)
mezereon (Daphne mezereum)
oak, pedunculate (Quercus robur)
oak, sessile (Quercus petraea)
osier (Salix viminalis)
pear, Plymouth (Pyrus cordata)
pear, wild (Pyrus pyraster)
poplar, grey (Populus x canescens)
poplar, white (Populus alba)
privet, wild (Ligustrum vulgare)
rose (Rosa species)
rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
sea-buckthorn (Hippophae
rhamnoides)
service-tree, wild (Sorbus
torminalis)
spindle (Euonymus europaeus)
walnut (Juglans regia)
wayfaring-tree (Viburnum lantana)
whitebeam (Sorbus species)
willow (Salix species)
yew (Taxus baccata)
Figure 3 Example extract of Data Sheet to illustrate boundary
recording methodology
Feature Feature Feature Feature
Notes
List
Quantity Unit of
Condition
Measure
9903
Field
F02 –
boundaries Ditch
375
m
A
High
environmental
value ditch
6538
Field
F02 –
boundaries Stone
wall
678
m
C
Landscape
and historic
interest
1835
Field
F02 –
boundaries Line of
Trees
245
m
B
Line of ancient
coppiced
hornbeam
failed on 1 due
to a lack of
continuity,
structure &
completeness
■■
I f there is a water-filled ditch associated with another boundary,
record both as features (if they fit the definitions below).
■■
elict boundaries that are of historic interest should be recorded
R
as H05 - Relict boundary of historic importance, or other historic
feature, and not as F02.
■■
S ome boundaries will also be historic features (see examples given
in the ‘See also’ list above). Please record both features as separate
entries on the Data Sheet.
■■
Individual boundaries should be surveyed between two end points.
Section 2
Land
Feature
Parcel
Group
Number
2.3.1 How to record high environmental value field boundaries on
the Environmental Features Data Sheet and FEP/FER Map
All boundaries must be assessed in the field to determine which, if any,
are high environmental value field boundaries and their condition.
Relict boundaries which meet the definition of H05 - Relict boundary
of historic importance, should be marked with an orange line to show
47
the route of the boundary. (Note: existing high environmental value
boundaries that are also of historic interest should be recorded as
two separate features and mapped with the appropriate colour for
the existing boundary type.)
Section 2
■■
On the FEP/FER map boundaries should be marked as they are
required to be on the FER map using the colour coding below.
Any boundary which meets the definition of high environmental
value should be marked with the feature code F02 alongside the
boundary line and its condition assessment added as a suffix to
the code. For example FO2C for a boundary in condition C.
(red line) stone walls and stone-faced banks
(green line) hedges, hedgebanks and lines of trees
(purple line) earth banks
(orange line) relict boundaries of historic importance
■■
rite the feature code on the Map alongside the coloured line.
W
It is not necessary to give each boundary a separate boundary
reference number.
2.3.2 How to determine the length of boundaries
■■
here the boundary includes gaps or gates, these may be
W
included in the length measurement providing the gaps comprise
less than 20% of the total length of that particular boundary. A gap
(for a hedge) is a complete break in the canopy (see Figure 4).
Figure 4 – Example of hedgerow to illustrate what constitutes a gap
■■
48
here gaps amount to more than 20% of the total length, the
W
boundary is still eligible. However, the length taken up by the gaps
must be subtracted from the total length.
F02 – High environmental value boundaries
Field boundaries include hedgerows, lines of trees, hedge banks,
ditches, earth banks and stone walls.
hedgerow is any boundary line of shrubs, with or without trees,
A
over 20 m long and less than 5 m wide, provided that at one time
the shrubs and trees were more or less continuous.
■■
Lines of trees planted without a shrub understorey.
■■
hedgebank is an earth bank or mound that is associated with a
A
hedgerow and is distinct from the surrounding landform.
■■
n earth bank is a mound that is distinct from the surrounding
A
land form and forms a field boundary without a hedgerow.
■■
A stone-faced bank is an earth bank faced with natural stone.
■■
stone wall is a built structure of natural stone or stone blocks,
A
mostly of traditional dry stone wall construction. This also
includes mortared walls where they form a field boundary.
■■
itches refer to those normally found on flood plains and
D
marshes. They regularly contain standing or flowing water.
Traditionally they would have been used both to control water
levels and to act as stock-proof barriers around summer pastures.
Agricultural drainage ditches may be included if they meet the
minimum depth requirement (below).
Section 2
■■
Feature detail
High environmental value hedges, hedge banks and lines of trees:
these are boundaries that:
■■
are historically important boundaries;
■■
ave a high biodiversity value within the hedge or line of trees and
h
the surrounding ground flora;
■■
s upport named target species of farmland birds, insects,
mammals, lichen or fungi (eg tree sparrow, brown hairstreak or
dormouse) mentioned in the target or theme statement for the
land; and
■■
include ancient trees.
49
Section 2
High environmental value ditches: these are ditches that:
■■
are historically important boundaries; and
■■
ave a high biodiversity value and support named target species
h
of plants, birds, mammals, amphibians or insects mentioned in the
target or theme statements for the land.
High environmental value stone walls, earth banks and stone-faced
banks: are those that are historically important boundaries.
Condition assessment for high environmental value hedges
No condition assessment is required for hedgerows that have been
planted, laid or coppiced within the last five years.
1.Height: The hedgerow must meet a minimum threshold of 2 m
in height. Assess the height of the woody component of the
hedgerow from the base of the stems to the top of the shoots
of the woody species. This should be assessed along the whole
length of the hedgerow and the most common height used. Gaps
are not included, nor are hedgerow trees. Where a bank is present,
the height of the bank must be excluded.
2.Width: The hedgerow must meet a minimum threshold of 1.5 m in
width. Assess the width of the woody component between the
shoot tips at the widest point. This should be assessed along the
whole length of the hedgerow and the most common width used.
Gaps are not included.
3.Gappiness: Assess the horizontal gappiness of the woody
component. Gaps are complete breaks in the woody canopy of
the hedgerow (see Figure 4). No more than 10% of the hedgerow
length should be occupied by gaps and no one gap should be
greater than 5 m wide (this excludes access points and gates).
Where dormice or target species of bat are present in the
hedgerow there must be no gaps.
Notes column
Please refer to Section 1.4.4. In addition, the following should be recorded:
■■
50
edgerows that have undergone recent management (within the
H
last five years), ie either coppicing or laying, or that were planted
recently, should be batched as one category. No condition
assessment is required. State whether the hedgerows have been
laid, coppiced or recently planted.
I f a hedgerow is species-rich: ie whether it contains on average
five or more native woody species (see Table 4) within a 30-metre
length (or four or more native woody species in Northern England).
■■
Whether there are any interesting ground flora species present.
■■
T he potential for management (coppicing, laying, gapping or
planting).
■■
T he presence of hedgerow trees. If trees are present, state their
species and estimated age (ie establishment, semi mature or
ancient).
■■
T hreats – are the hedgerows grazed by livestock? Is there a lack of
management or over-management?
■■
I f there are lengths of hedgerow that would benefit from extra
management (for example, the hedge is in good condition but may
require laying or coppicing), include any such recommendations.
Section 2
■■
Condition assessment for high environmental value line of trees
1.There should be an undisturbed grass strip of at least 6 m on both
sides to protect the line of trees from farming operations.
2.There should be no evidence of damage by livestock through bark
stripping and rubbing, erosion by burrowing animals, or damage
caused by farming operations, machinery storage, signage or
fencing.
3. At least 95% of the trees are in a healthy condition.
Notes column
Please refer to Section 1.4.4. In addition, the tree species should be
recorded.
Condition assessment for high environmental value hedgebank
1.Height: The hedgerow must meet a minimum threshold of 2 m
in height. Assess the height of the woody component of the
hedgerow from the base of the stems to the top of the shoots
of the woody species. This should be assessed along the whole
length of the hedgerow and the most common height used.
51
Gaps are not included, nor are hedgerow trees. Where a bank is
present, the height of the bank must be excluded.
Section 2
2.Width: The hedgerow must meet a minimum threshold of 1.5 m in
width. Assess the width of the woody component between the
shoot tips at the widest point. This should be assessed along the
whole length of the hedgerow and the most common width used.
Gaps are not included.
3.Continuity: No more than 10% of bank or hedgerow length should
be occupied by gaps.
4.Structure: No more than 10% of the bank should be affected by
erosion caused by livestock, slumping or burrowing animals.
Notes column
recorded:
■■
on-BAP hedgerows on the bank, otherwise it will be assumed that
n
the hedgerow sitting on the bank is a BAP hedgerow; and
■■
whether the hedgebank has a stone facing.
Condition assessment for a high environmental value earth bank
1.Continuity: No more than 10% of the earth bank should be
occupied by gaps.
2.Structure: No more than 10% of the earth bank should be affected
by erosion caused by livestock, slumping or burrowing animals.
Notes column
Please refer to Section 1.4.4. In addition, any interesting bank flora
should be recorded.
Condition assessment for a high environmental value stone-faced bank
1.Continuity: No more than 10% of the bank should be occupied by
gaps and/or lack facing stones.
2.Structure: No more than 10% of the bank should be affected by
erosion caused by livestock, slumping or burrowing animals.
3.Materials: Any repair or maintenance must be carried out in the
traditional materials used in the original construction and in a style
characteristic of the local area.
52
Notes column
Please refer to Section 1.4.4.
Condition assessment for a high environmental value stone wall
Section 2
1.Continuity: There should be a full-height wall to below the top
stones and no gaps along the length of the boundary.
2.Materials: Any repair or maintenance must be carried out in the
traditional materials used in the original construction and in a style
3.Structure: There can be minor signs of bulging, slumping or
bellying, but the wall must not be in danger of collapse.
4.Completeness: Some top stones can be displaced, but at least 75%
must be present (where they formed part of the original wall).
Notes column
Wet ditch of high environmental value
■■
T hese are ditches that contains more than ten submerged, floating
or emergent native aquatic plant species per 20 m stretch or
contain species of high conservation interest, for example water
voles. Any such ditches should be recorded on the Data Sheet by
entering ‘Ditch of high value’ in the Feature Detail column. Record
the species of conservation interest as a separate feature (see
Section 2.10 Species).
■■
T hese ditches are normally found on flood plains and marshes.
Traditionally they would have been used both to control water
levels and to act as stock-proof barriers around summer pastures.
Agricultural drainage ditches may be included if they meet the
minimum depth requirement (below).
■■
They are ditches that regularly contain standing or flowing water.
■■
ield drains that only occasionally carry water will not fall under
F
this feature definition. Note, this definition differs from the
Environment Agency’s definition of a watercourse for LERAP (Local
Environment Risk Assessment for Pesticides) purposes.
53
Condition assessment for high environmental value wet ditches
1.Water levels in the ditch must be no more than 45 cm below the
mean field level and the water must have a minimum depth of 30
cm throughout the year.
Section 2
2. Cover of macro-algae is less than 30% in the summer.
3.The following species together make up less than 75% of the
vegetation cover: common duckweed, fennel pondweed and
yellow water-lily.
4.The following species make up less than 10% of the vegetation
cover: New Zealand pygmyweed, floating pennywort, waterfern
and parrot’s feather.
5.Less than 20% of the ditch is in heavy shade (unless the ditch is
adjacent to a hedge or within a woodland) and more than 25% has
a gently sloping profile or berms and shelves.
Notes column
Figure 5 – Example of a ditch of high value
54
2.4 Grassland
Feature
Page
number
Feature
detail
Unit of
measurement
G02 – Semi-improved grassland
60
–
ha
G04 – Lowland calcareous grassland –
BAP habitat
62
–
ha
G05 – Lowland dry acid grassland – BAP habitat
63
–
ha
G06 – Lowland meadows – BAP habitat
65
–
ha
G07– Purple moor-grass and rush pastures –
BAP habitat
66
–
ha
G08 – Upland calcareous grassland –
BAP habitat
67
–
ha
G09 – Upland hay meadows – BAP habitat
68
–
ha
G10 – Calaminarian grassland
69
–
ha
G11 – Habitat for invertebrates
80
–
ha
G12 – Habitat for breeding waders – lowland
81
–
ha
G13 – Habitat for wintering waders and wildfowl
81
–
ha
G14 – Habitat for breeding waders – upland
82
–
ha
G15 – Coastal and flood plain grazing marsh –
BAP habitat
83
–
ha
Section 2
BAP grassland features
High biodiversity value grassland features
See also:
C02 – Coastal sand dunes – BAP habitat (page 40)
C05 – Maritime cliffs and slopes – BAP habitat (page 43)
H06 – Historic water meadow (page 111)
L01 – Limestone pavement – BAP habitat (page 120)
M01– Grass moorland and rough grazing (page 94)
M03– Lowland heath – BAP habitat (page 95)
T03 – Wood pasture and parkland – BAP habitat (page 140)
55
Several species of interest may also be associated with grassland
habitats, so they should be recorded as additional features if they are
present (see page 127).
Section 2
2.4.1 How to identify grassland features
In every grass field or part-field, you should assess the type and condition
of the grassland. Table 5 lists keys to the grassland features (and the page
references of where each key can be found in this Manual). You should
work through the keys in sequential order to identify the grassland
feature type, taking into account the following points:
56
■■
Use Key 2a to identify the broad grassland type.
■■
I f you have identified any of the land as being species-rich and
you have good botanical skills, use Key 2b to determine whether
it falls into any of the BAP grassland feature types. For restorable
target habitat, you can use Key 2b to identify more diverse
swards, which can be highlighted in the notes column on the
Environmental Features Data Sheet.
■■
I f the grassland is on old mining spoil, check whether it falls under
the definition for G10 – Calaminarian grassland, as this may not
have been the outcome when working through the keys.
■■
I n all circumstances, regardless of the diversity of the grassland,
you should then consider whether the grassland falls into any
of the ‘habitat for animals’ features, that is G11 to G15. We have
provided Key 3 to help identify habitat for invertebrates and
Keys 4a, 4b and 5a to identify the three habitats for waders and
wintering wildfowl. Keys 4c and 5b provide guidance on how to
identify potential for habitats for waders and wildfowl.
■■
I f any ‘restorable’ target habitat is identified that could have
the potential, with the appropriate management, to become
more species-rich (for example, poor stony soils, land adjacent
to existing species-rich grassland, or any BAP grassland that fails
two or more condition assessment criteria), then refer to Key 2c
for further guidance. This will help identify land that could be
restored or have its sward enhanced.
Table 5 List of grassland keys
Key to identify semi-improved (G02) and species rich
grassland
Page
61
Key 2b
Key to identify BAP grassland features
70
Key 2c
Key to identify botanical enhancement potential of species- 79
poor grassland
Key 3
Key to identify habitat for invertebrates (G11)
84
Key 4a
Key to identify habitat for breeding waders – lowland (G12)
85
Key 4b
Key to identify habitat for wintering waders and wildfowl (G13) 86
Key 4c
Key to identify potential for habitat for lowland breeding
waders and habitat for wintering waders and wildfowl
87
Key 5a
Key to identify habitat for breeding waders – upland (G14)
88
Key 5b
Key to identify potential for habitat for upland breeding
waders
89
Section 2
Key 2a
Please note that the keys use some specific terminology that you
must interpret correctly in order to use them accurately (see Sections
2.4.2 and 2.4.3 for definitions).
2.4.2 How to assess whether a plant species is rare, occasional or
frequent
In many of our habitat feature definitions and identification keys
there are references to particular indicator plant species being ‘rare’,
‘occasional’ or ‘frequent’.
The way to assess this is to walk around the habitat and stop at
regular intervals or random points along the way. For most habitats,
stopping ten times will be enough, but for very large blocks of similar
vegetation you may need 20 stops.
Each time you stop, look at the vegetation within a square metre
in front of you and take a note of the plant species present. If you
already know roughly what type of habitat you are in, you only need
to record the relevant indicator species for that habitat, rather than
noting every single species.
57
■■
A species is rare if it occurs in one or two stops out of ten.
■■
It is occasional if it occurs in three or four stops out of ten.
■■
Frequent species occur in five or more stops out of ten.
Section 2
You will probably find it easiest to carry out this assessment if you
record the information in a table like the one below. Write the
species names on the left and tick the box in the relevant column
when you find each species.
Table 6 Example table to assess whether plants are rare, occasional or
frequent
Species name
1 2 3 4
5 6
7 8 9
10 Number
of stops
Frequency
Perennial rye-grass
Y Y Y Y
Y
Y Y Y
Y
9
Frequent
White clover
Y Y Y Y
Y Y
Y
Y
8
Frequent
Yorkshire-fog
Y
Y Y
Y
5
Frequent
Red clover
Y Y
3
Occasional
Crested dog’s-tail
Y Y
Y
6
Frequent
Daisy
Y
Y Y
5
Frequent
Creeping thistle
Y
3
Occasional
4
Occasional
2
Rare
3
Occasional
Y
4
Occasional
Y Y
3
Occasional
Y
4
Occasional
Y
2
Rare
3
Occasional
1
Rare
1
Rare
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Cock’s-foot
Y
Y
Common bent
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y Y
Y Y
Dandelion
Y
Rough meadow-grass
Y
Y
Y Y
Cuckooflower
Y
Meadow buttercup
Y Y
Selfheal
Y
Y
Timothy
Number of species
per stop
Y
Y
Creeping buttercup
Common sorrel
Y
Y
7 7 4 9
9 6
7 5 6
6
Using a table like this also helps you decide how many species there
are per square metre. This is another important factor in identifying
what type of grassland habitat you are in.
58
As you get more experienced at doing this you may find that you no
longer need to complete a table, but it will help in the early stages.
Section 2
Some grassland habitats can be identified if key species are present
only in the sward. To meet this criterion, these species must not be
limited to field edges, corners or small areas within the field.
2.4.3 Assessing cover and sward height
For some of the habitat features, it is necessary to estimate how much
ground area individual plant species or groups of plant species cover.
To identify grassland type, for example, you need to estimate the total
cover of herb species. For this purpose, herbs include all vascular
plants, except grasses and indicators of poor condition such as white
clover and problem weeds. Sedges and rushes are ‘honorary’ herbs.
Cover should be estimated by looking down on the sward rather than
across the top of it. Patchiness across the sward should be averaged
out and it will be helpful to estimate cover at stops on a structured
walk, as detailed at Section 2.4.2. In meadows that have grown up prior
to cutting, it is important to look down through the sward to estimate
the cover of herbs below the grass canopy. Tall scrub species will have
to be assessed by looking across the site. Use a vantage point if there is
one, or, ideally, use up-to-date aerial photography.
For some habitats, an estimate of bare ground cover is required. This
should be estimated in a similar manner to herbs, but bare ground
must be visible from above without disturbing the sward surface. It
does not include rock exposures, stones, pebbles and flints.
For all estimates of cover, it may help to visualise a square metre area in
front of you. An area of 10 cm x 10 cm within this constitutes cover of 1%.
To assess the condition of some habitats, for example, grassland
for breeding waders, you will need to determine the average sward
height across the feature. Again, this can be done during the
structured walk using a ruler or measuring stick. At each stop a
measurement should be taken from a random point near your feet.
The measurement should be to the undisturbed sward surface.
59
Broad grassland types
In identifying the broad grassland types, you should refer to Key 2a
on page 61.
Section 2
G02 – Semi-improved grassland
■■
S emi-improved grassland occurs on a wide range of soils and
may be derived from BAP grassland habitats (features G04–G10)
following agricultural improvement.
■■
T ypical grasses include: cock’s-foot, common bent, creeping bent,
crested dog’s-tail, false oat-grass, meadow fescue, meadow foxtail,
red fescue, sweet vernal grass, Timothy, tufted hair-grass and
Yorkshire-fog.
■■
nclosed, species-poor acid grassland in a Severely Disadvantaged
E
Area (SDA) should be recorded as M01 – Grass moorland and rough
grazing, and not semi-improved grassland
Notes column
60
Key 2a – Key to identify semi-improved (G02) and species-rich grasslands
Yes
The field holds species-rich grassland and
is likely to be a BAP priority habitat of, or
restorable to, good quality. Refer to key
2b to identify the BAP priority habitat.
Section 2
Do at least two of the following
apply?
nCover of rye-grasses and white
clover is less than 10%.
nThe sward is species-rich (more
than 15 species/m2, including
grasses).
nThere is high cover of wildflowers1
and sedges (more than 30%),
excluding white clover, creeping
buttercup and injurious weeds.
A wide range of grass species may
be present, including blue moorgrass, crested hair-grass, heath-grass,
meadow oat-grass, sheep’s fescue,
tor-grass, upright brome, quaking
grass and yellow oat-grass in addition
to the more commonly occurring
grasses typical of semi-improved
grassland (see below).
The field holds semi-improved grassland
(G02).
nMore species-rich examples (refer to
Key 2b) may be a feature targeted in
some regional theme statements.
nIf there is rough or rushy grassland
within an SDA, check existing or
potential value as a habitat for
breeding waders.
nThere may also be potential for
restoration to a BAP grassland habitat
(refer to Key 2c).
No
Do at least two of the following apply?
nCover of rye-grasses and white clover is less than 30%.
nThe sward is moderately species-rich (9–15 species/m2, including
grasses).
nThe cover of wildflowers1 and sedges, excluding white clover, creeping
buttercup and injurious weeds, is 10% or more.
Typical grass species are cock’s-foot, common bent, crested dog’s-tail,
false oat-grass, meadow fescue, meadow foxtail, red fescue, sweet vernal
grass, Timothy and tufted hair-grass.
Yes
No
Do at least two of the following apply?
nCover of rye-grasses and white clover is more than 30%.
nThe sward is species-poor (up to 8 species/m2, including grasses).
nThere is low cover of wildflowers1 and sedges (less than 10%),
excluding white clover, creeping buttercup and injurious weeds.
Typical grass species are cock’s-foot, Italian rye-grass, perennial ryegrass, rough-stalked meadow-grass, Timothy and Yorkshire-fog.
Yes
The field holds
species-poor
improved grassland.
nThere may be
potential for
restoration to
a BAP priority
grassland habitat
(see Key 2c).
nAlternatively,
consider an ELS
option.
No
The field may be a non-grassland habitat, eg lowland heath or fen.
1
The term ‘wildflowers’ is used here to mean broadleaved herbs. Plants may not all be in flower at the time of
the survey.
61
All species-rich grassland should be recorded under a specific
BAP habitat
Section 2
Where you have identified the land as species-rich use Key 2b to
determine the BAP habitat feature.
BAP grassland features
Refer to Key 2b on page 70 for additional guidance on identifying the
following BAP grassland features.
General information on condition assessment of grassland BAP habitats
Where the frequency of indicator species is below the ‘good condition’
threshold set for the habitat (see the feature table in Key 2b), or where
three indicator species are at least occasional (and not restricted to
field edges and corners), record the feature condition as C, even if
all other condition criteria are met, and record in the notes column
of the Data Sheet that it has failed on criterion 5. This will help us
to identify BAP grasslands that are currently in poor condition but
nevertheless are still regarded as BAP grassland priority habitats.
Notes column for grassland BAP habitats
■■
etails of indicator species from the appropriate BAP feature list, or
D
other notable species present, especially any that might be included
in an indicator of success (see Section 2.2.2 of your HLS handbook).
■■
ny indication of other possible threats or management
A
challenges, for example, invasive coarse grasses (these are not
always included in the limited condition criteria).
G04 – Lowland calcareous grassland – BAP habitat
62
■■
T his is species-rich, semi-natural grassland on chalk and limestone in
the lowlands and upland fringe, generally below 300 m in altitude.
■■
This grassland is managed primarily by grazing.
■■
T ypical grasses include: blue moor-grass, cock’s-foot, common bent,
crested hair-grass, downy oat-grass, meadow oat-grass, quakinggrass, sheep’s fescue, tor-grass, upright brome and yellow oat-grass.
■■
T ypical wildflowers include: common bird’s-foot-trefoil, common
rock-rose, cowslip, eyebright, greater knapweed, lady’s bedstraw,
milkworts, small scabious and wild thyme.
Section 2
1.Cover of undesirable species (creeping thistle, spear thistle, curled
dock, broad-leaved dock, common ragwort and common nettle) less
than 5%.
2.Cover of wildflowers and sedges throughout the sward (excluding
the undesirable species listed above and creeping buttercup and
white clover) more than 30%.
3.Cover of bare ground (including localised areas, for example,
rabbit warrens) should be less than 10%.
4. Cover of invasive trees and shrubs less than 5%.
5.At least two indicator species are frequent, and three occasional
(see table 2 in Key 2b).
6.See also ‘General information on condition assessment of
grassland BAP habitats’ above.
Notes column
Please refer to the requirements above under the heading ‘Notes
column for grassland BAP habitats’.
G05 – Lowland dry acid grassland – BAP habitat
T his refers to semi-natural grassland, generally dominated by fineleaved grasses on nutrient-poor, free-draining soils in the lowlands
and enclosed upland fringe.
■■
Mosses and/or lichens are sometimes frequent.
■■
This grassland is managed primarily by grazing.
■■
S ome sites may be species-poor (dominated, for example, by bristle
bent or wavy hair-grass). However, lowland acid grassland is a
scarce resource and any site is likely to be considered of high value.
■■
L owland dry acid grassland sometimes occurs in a mosaic with
lowland heath (see M03 – Lowland heath – BAP habitat).
■■
T ypical grasses include: common bent, early hair-grass, heath
grass, sheep’s fescue, sweet vernal grass and wavy hair-grass.
63
■■
T ypical wildflowers include: common centaury, common stork’sbill, heath bedstraw, heath speedwell, mouse-ear hawkweed,
rough/lesser hawkbit, sheep’s sorrel, tormentil, violets and wild
strawberry.
Section 2
Additional information on distinguishing lowland acid grassland
BAP habitat in upland locations
■■
cid grassland is widespread in the uplands. Where it exists
A
largely as extensive species-poor communities on the open fell
or in large enclosures above the Moorland Line, record it as M01 –
Grass moorland and rough grazing.
■■
here it is species-rich and enclosed, it should be recorded as
W
G05. Such sites would generally be dominated by sheep’s fescue
and common bent, with a high proportion of herbs such as
betony, devil’s-bit scabious, bitter-vetch, harebell, heath bedstraw,
lady’s bedstraw and mountain pansy.
■■
T he presence of only common moorland species such as tormentil,
heath bedstraw, heather and bilberry would not constitute G05,
regardless of their frequency in the sward.
1.Cover of undesirable species (creeping thistle, spear thistle,
curled dock, broad-leaved dock, common ragwort, common
nettle, rosebay willowherb, marsh thistle, musk thistle and greater
plantain) less than 5%.
rabbit warrens) less than 10%.
3.Cover of bracken less than 20% and cover of scrub and bramble
less than 5%.
4.Cover of coarse grass species, such as Yorkshire-fog and cock’sfoot, less than 20%.
5.At least one indicator species is frequent and three are occasional
Notes column
64
G06 – Lowland meadows – BAP habitat
L owland meadows are species-rich, semi-natural grassland on
free-draining, neutral soils in the lowlands and upland fringes,
including species-rich flood plain grassland.
■■
They are managed by cutting and/or grazing.
■■
T ypical grasses include: cock’s-foot, common bent, crested dog’stail, red fescue, meadow fescue, sweet vernal grass, yellow oatgrass and Yorkshire-fog.
■■
T ypical wildflowers include: common knapweed, common bird’sfoot-trefoil, common meadow-rue, marsh valerian, meadow
vetchling, meadowsweet, narrow-leaved water-dropwort and
ragged robin.
■■
I f a lowland meadow occurs on a flood plain, also record it as G15 –
Coastal and flood plain grazing marsh – BAP habitat.
Section 2
■■
dock, broad-leaved dock, common ragwort, common nettle,
marsh ragwort, cow parsley and bracken) less than 5%.
4.Cover of invasive trees and shrubs less than 5%, and indicators of
water logging (such as large sedges, rushes, reeds) less than 30%.
5.At least two indicator species are frequent and two occasional (see
table 4 in Key 2b).
Notes column
65
Section 2
G07 – Purple moor-grass and rush pastures – BAP habitat
■■
T his refers to species-rich, semi-natural grassland with abundant
purple moor-grass and/or jointed rushes (sharp-flowered rush,
jointed rush or blunt-flowered rush) on poorly drained neutral and
acidic soils of the lowlands and upland fringe.
■■
07 is often associated with springs, seepage lines and slopes
G
surrounding waterlogged depressions and hollows.
■■
urple moor-grass and rush pasture can occur on the upland
P
fringes and above the Moorland Line, but should not be confused
with species-poor, rush-dominated flushes and semi-improved
pastures (where soft rush is often the most abundant rush), or
species-poor, purple moor-grass wet acid grassland, which lacks
most of the wildflower indicator species.
■■
T ypical grasses include: creeping bent, crested dog’s-tail, purple
moor-grass, quaking-grass, red fescue, sweet vernal grass, tufted
hair-grass, velvet bent and Yorkshire-fog.
■■
T ypical wildflowers include: bog asphodel, bugle, common
meadow-rue, greater bird’s-foot-trefoil, marsh cinquefoil, marsh
valerian, meadow thistle, meadowsweet and water mint.
dock, broad-leaved dock, common ragwort, common nettle, cow
parsley, marsh thistle and marsh ragwort) less than 10%.
2.Cover of large sedge species less than 30%, and cover of large
grasses such as tufted hair-grass and reeds, less than 20%.
3.Cover of invasive trees and shrubs less than 5%.
4.Cover of non-jointed rushes (soft, hard and compact) less than 50%.
table 5 in Key 2b).
Notes column
66
G08 – Upland calcareous grassland – BAP habitat
T his grassland is generally species-rich, semi-natural grassland,
usually dominated by fine-leaved grasses, on calcareous soils over
Carboniferous limestone in upland areas.
■■
It is managed primarily by grazing.
■■
I t often occurs in parts of large-scale enclosures with other less
species-rich grassland types.
■■
T ypical grasses include: blue moor-grass, common bent, crested
hair-grass, meadow oat-grass, red fescue, sheep’s fescue, sweet
vernal grass and quaking-grass.
■■
T ypical wildflowers include: common bird’s-foot-trefoil, common
rock-rose, eyebrights, fairy flax, harebell, horseshoe vetch and
wild thyme.
Section 2
■■
dock, broad-leaved dock, common ragwort, common nettle and
false oat-grass) less than 10%.
4.Cover of herbs indicative of nutrient enrichment (daisy and
creeping buttercup) less than 25%.
5.At least one indicator species is frequent and three are occasional
6. See also ‘General information on condition assessment of
Notes column
67
Section 2
G09 – Upland hay meadows – BAP habitat
■■
T his is enclosed land on moist or free-draining neutral soils in the
Pennines and Dales of Yorkshire, Durham, Northumberland and
Cumbria, and in the eastern Lake District.
■■
Meadows are cut for hay, with aftermath grazing.
■■
T ypical grasses include: cock’s-foot, common bent, crested dog’stail, red fescue, rough meadow-grass, soft brome, sweet vernal
grass and Yorkshire-fog.
■■
T ypical wildflowers include: common knapweed, eyebrights,
hawkbits, meadow vetchling, meadowsweet, pignut and tormentil.
the undesirable species listed below and creeping buttercup and
cow parsley) less than 10%.
3. Cover of bare ground less than 10%.
4. Cover of non-jointed rushes (soft, hard and compact) less than 50%.
table 7 in Key 2b).
Notes column
Please refer to the requirements above under heading ‘Notes column
for grassland BAP habitats’.
68
G10 – Calaminarian grassland
alaminarian grassland generally has short, open vegetation of
C
fine-leaved grasses, flowers, mosses and lichens on spoil and
gravel from mineral extraction, or is associated with metal-rich
ultrabasic exposures.
■■
T his is a very rare habitat type found only in the North Pennines,
Yorkshire Dales, Derbyshire, Cornwall and the Mendips.
■■
T ypical grasses include: common bent, red fescue, sheep’s fescue
and sweet vernal grass.
■■
S pecialist wildflowers (indicator species) include: alpine pennycress, mountain pansy, Pyrenean scurvygrass, sea campion, spring
sandwort and thrift.
Section 2
■■
1.Cover of bare ground, including cobbles, gravel and encrusting
lichens between 20% and 90%.
dock, broad-leaved dock, common ragwort, common nettle, cow
parsley, hogweed and coarse grasses) less than 10%.
3. Cover of trees and scrub less than 5%.
4. One or more indicator species are present.
Notes column
Please refer to Section 1.4.4. In addition, any indication of other
possible threats or management challenges, such as invasive coarse
grasses (which are not always included in the limited condition
criteria), should be recorded.
69
Key 2b – Key to identify BAP grassland features
Section 2
From key 2a
species-rich
grassland
The field holds species-rich grassland.
Refer to the tables on the following
pages to help identify the possible
BAP priority habitat grassland type, eg
upland hay meadow.
For the identified BAP priority habitat
type, are the required number of
wildflower indicators present at or
above the threshold frequency (see
Tables 2–8)?
No
Are four indicator species from a BAP habitat feature list
present, but below the threshold frequency (see Table 2-8),
or are three indicator species at least occasional?
From key 2a
species-rich
grassland
The field holds semiimproved grassland
of moderate speciesrichness.1
The field holds good-quality speciesrich grassland, which should be
recorded in part 2 of the FEP as the
appropriate BAP grassland feature.
(It is eligible for HK6.)
Yes
No
Yes
The field holds species-rich grassland, which should be recorded in part 2 of
the FEP as the appropriate BAP grassland feature. It is of moderate quality
but could be restored to good condition and therefore could possibly be
eligible for HK7. Key 2c may help you make this judgement. (In the notes
column of part 2 of the FEP, please record the feature as being in condition
category C and that it failed on condition category 5.)
Are four semi-improved grassland wildflower indicators (see Table 1 below) and/or BAP grassland indicator
species (where the BAP grassland feature definitions, as set out in boxes above, are not met) at least
occasional in the sward?
nIn some circumstances, semi-improved grassland can be restored to a target habitat. Please refer to
Key 2c to help determine if this may be relevant to the area of grassland.
nIn some areas of the country, the maintenance of semi-improved grassland may be a target.
See the relevant targeting or theme statement for further details.
No
The field holds species-poor semiimproved grassland.
1
70
Yes
The field holds good-quality semi-improved
grassland of moderate species-richness.
In wet grassland with a bulky sward which includes a number of wildflowers and occasional to frequent rushes
and sedges, and where cover of rye-grasses and white clover cover is less than 10%, check for the number and
frequency of indicator species of purple moor-grass and rush pasture, and lowland meadow and pasture and
record as such if the criterion is met. In such swards, there may be fewer than 15 species per square metre and
less than 30% cover of wildflowers and sedges, so the grassland may be identified as semi-improved in Key 2a.
Key 2b continued
Section 2
Guide to the identification of BAP and other grassland features, with
wildflower indicator species and frequency thresholds
These tables should be used as a guide and applied with a degree of
flexibility. Sites that are mosaics or transitional between two or more
BAP grassland habitats may not meet the quality thresholds for any
one habitat, but indicators of the different habitat types should be
used interchangeably and a judgement made as to which BAP habitat
best describes the site.
Table 1 G02 – Semi-improved grassland
Soils and
topography
Wildflower
indicator species
Species abundance
threshold
Typical grasses
(do not count as
indicator species)
Found on a wide
range of soil types
and conditions,
often derived
from species-rich
grassland following
agricultural
improvement
autumn hawkbit,
black medick,
cuckooflower,
bulbous buttercup,
common cat’s-ear,
common sorrel,
field wood-rush,
germander
speedwell,
lesser trefoil,
ribwort plantain,
meadow buttercup,
red clover,
selfheal,
yarrow
At least four
occasional in the
sward.
cock’s-foot
common bent
crested dog’s-tail
creeping bent
false oat-grass
meadow fescue
meadow foxtail
red fescue
sweet vernal grass
Timothy
tufted hair-grass
Yorkshire-fog
Moderately
species-rich,
with typically
8–15 species/
m2. Total cover of
wildflowers and
sedges usually
less than 30%,
excluding white
clover, creeping
buttercup and
injurious weeds.
Rye-grass cover
generally less than
25%.
A limited number
of indicator
species from BAP
grassland habitats
may be present,
and may be only
rare or localised
in the sward. Can
substitute for a
semi-improved
indicator if at least
occasional.
71
Section 2
Key 2b continued
Table 2 G04 – Lowland calcareous grassland – BAP habitat
Soils and
topography
Wildflower
indicator species
Species abundance
threshold
Typical grasses
(do not count as
indicator species)
Calcareous soils
over chalk and
limestone in the
lowlands and
enclosed upland
fringe, generally
below 300 m.
betony, bird’s-foottrefoil, bloody
crane’s-bill, carline
thistle, clustered
bellflower, common
rock-rose, cowslip,
dropworts, devil’sbit scabious,
eyebright, fairy
flax, field scabious,
gentians, greater
knapweed, hairy
violet, harebell,
hoary plantain,
hoary rock-rose,
horseshoe vetch,
kidney vetch, lady’s
bedstraw, marjoram,
milkworts, mouseear hawkweed,
orchids, ox-eye
daisy, purple milkvetch, restharrow,
rough/lesser
hawkbit, salad
burnet, saw-wort,
small scabious,
squinancywort,
stemless thistle,
thyme-leaved
sandwort, wild basil,
wild thyme, yellowwort,
At least two
frequent and three
occasional in the
sward.
blue moor-grass
cock’s-foot
common bent
crested hair-grass
hairy oat-grass
meadow oat-grass
quaking-grass
sheep’s fescue
tor-grass
upright brome
yellow oat-grass
See note to G08 –
Upland calcareous
grassland – BAP
habitat.
72
If either three
indicator species
are occasional or
four are present
(but not limited
to field corners
or edges), then
record this as G04
in condition C.
Record as failing
condition 5 in the
notes column.
Key 2b continued
Table 3 G05 – Lowland dry acid grassland – BAP habitat
Wildflower indicator
species
Species
abundance
threshold
Typical grasses
(do not count
as indicator
species)
Acid soils in the
lowlands and
enclosed upland
fringe. Some sites
may be speciespoor (dominated,
for example, by
bristle bent or
wavy hair-grass).
However, lowland
acid grassland is
a scarce resource
and any site
outside the SDA
is likely to be
considered of high
value. Lichens and
mosses may be
prominent.
bell heather, betony,
bilberry, bird’s-foottrefoil, biting stonecrop,
bitter-vetch, blue
fleabane, buck’s-horn
plantain, common
centaury, common rockrose, common stork’sbill, devil’s-bit scabious,
harebell, heath bedstraw,
heath speedwell, heather,
lady’s bedstraw, lichens,
lousewort, maiden pink,
milkworts, mouse-ear
hawkweed, parsley
pierts, pignut, purple
milk-vetch, rough/lesser
hawkbit, saw-wort,
sheep’s-bit, sheep’s
sorrel, shepherd’s-cress,
thymes, tormentil, violets,
wild strawberry, wood
anemone, wood sage,
At least one
frequent and
three occasional
in sward.
bristle bent
common bent
early hair-grass
heath-grass
sheep’s fescue
sweet vernal
grass
wavy hair-grass
If either three
indicator
species are
occasional or
four are present
(but not limited
to field corners
or edges),
then record
this as G05
in condition
C. Record as
failing condition
5 in the notes
column.
Section 2
Soils and
topography
Note: Acid grassland is widespread above the Moorland Line where it
exists largely as extensive species-poor communities on the open fell or in
enclosed rough grazing. In such situations it should be recorded as M01 –
Grass moorland and rough grazing. Where it is species-rich and enclosed,
it should be treated as lowland. Such sites would generally be dominated
by sheep’s fescue and common bent, with a high proportion of herbs such
as betony, bitter-vetch, devil’s-bit scabious, harebell, heath bedstraw, lady’s
bedstraw and mountain pansy.
Some acid grassland sites may form part of a heathland mosaic, or have the
potential for heathland restoration or creation. Where the cover of dwarf
shrub is greater than 25%, the vegetation is considered to be heathland.
73
Section 2
Key 2b continued
Table 4 G06 – Lowland meadows – BAP habitat
74
Soils and
topography
Wildflower indicator
species
Species
abundance
threshold
Typical grasses
(do not count
as indicator
species)
Free-draining,
neutral soils in
the lowlands
and upland
fringes,
including
species-rich
flood plain
grasslands. (If
there is high
rush cover, go
to Table 5.)
agrimony, autumn
hawkbit, betony, bird’sfoot-trefoil, bittervetch, black knapweed,
bugle, burnet saxifrage,
common bistort,
common meadow-rue,
cowslip, devil’s-bit
scabious, dropwort,
Dyer’s greenweed,
eyebright, field
scabious, goat’s-beard,
great burnet, greater
bird’s-foot-trefoil,
lady’s bedstraw,
lady’s-mantles,
marsh/fen bedstraw,
marsh marigold,
marsh valerian,
meadow vetchling,
meadowsweet,
milkworts, narrowleaved waterdropwort, orchids,
ox-eye daisy, peppersaxifrage, pignut,
ragged robin, rough
hawkbit, salad burnet,
saw-wort, sneezewort,
tormentil, water avens,
water mint, wood
anemone, yellow rattle,
small blue-green sedges
(glaucous, common,
carnation)
At least two
frequent and two
occasional in the
sward, or, for flood
plain meadows,
one frequent bold
species and three
occasional.
cock’s-foot
common bent
crested dog’stail
meadow fescue
red fescue
sweet vernal
grass,
yellow oat-grass
Yorkshire-fog
If three indicator
species are
occasional or four
are present at
lower frequencies
(but not limited
to field corners
or edges), then
record as G06
in condition C.
Record as failing
condition 5 in the
notes column.
Key 2b continued
Table 5 G07 – Purple moor-grass and rush pastures – BAP habitat
Wildflower indicator species
Species
abundance
threshold
Typical grasses
(do not count
as indicator
species)
Pastures
dominated
by purple
moor-grass or
jointed rushes
on poorly
draining,
neutral or
mildly acidic
soils of the
lowlands and
upland fringe.
Associated
with springs,
seepage lines
and slopes
surrounding
waterlogged
depressions
and hollows.
Usually grazed
but some sites
may be cut for
hay.
bog asphodel, bog-mosses,
bog pimpernel, bugle,
common valerian, crossleaved heath, devil’s-bit
scabious, globeflower,
greater burnet, greater
bird’s-foot-trefoil, hemp
agrimony, jointed rushes,
lesser spearwort, lesser
water-parsnip, lousewort,
marsh/fen bedstraw, marsh
cinquefoil, marsh hawk’sbeard, marsh marigold,
marsh pennywort, marsh
valerian, marsh violet,
meadow rue, meadow
thistle, meadowsweet,
orchids, ragged robin,
rough hawkbit, saw-wort,
sneezewort, tormentil,
water avens, water mint,
whorled caraway, wild
angelica, small blue-green
sedges (glaucous, common,
carnation)
At least two
frequent and
two occasional
in the sward, or,
where purple
moor-grass
is frequent,
at least one
frequent
and three
occasional.
creeping bent
crested dog’stail
floating sweetgrass
marsh foxtail
purple moorgrass
red fescue
sweet vernal
grass
Yorkshire-fog
Section 2
Soils and
topography
If either three
indicator
species are
occasional or
four are present
(but not limited
to field corners
or edges), then
record this as
G07 in condition
C. Record as
failing condition
5 in the notes
column.
Note: It can be difficult to separate this habitat from other fen habitats. In
G07 – Purple moor-grass and rush pastures – BAP habitat, grasses generally
make a greater contribution to the sward than in other fen habitats and there
is usually a history of management as grazed pasture. Swards dominated
by tall herbs such as meadowsweet and yellow iris and/or tall tussocky
sedges should be considered as fen. More open valley mire habitats with
low cover of grasses and characterised by bog-mosses, dwarf shrubs, cotton
grasses, small sedges and sundews should similarly be considered as fen,
or, if on unenclosed moorland, as the FEP feature M08 – Upland flushes,
fens and swamps – BAP habitat. G07 can occur on the upland fringes and
above the Moorland Line, but should not be confused with species-poor,
rush-dominated flushes or rush pastures, which lack most of the wildflower
indicator species.
75
Section 2
Key 2b continued
Table 6 G08 – Upland calcareous grassland – BAP habitat
Soils and
topography
Wildflower
indicator species
Species abundance Typical grasses
threshold
(do not count as
indicator species)
Calcareous
soils over
Carboniferous
limestone in
enclosed upland
areas, generally
above 300m.
Large-scale
enclosures in the
Pennines of North
Yorkshire, Durham
and Cumbria.
bird’s-eye
primrose, bird’sfoot-trefoil, carline
thistle, common
butterwort,
common rockrose, dropworts,
devil’s-bit
scabious,
eyebrights, fairy
flax, gentians,
grass of Parnassus,
harebell, hoary
rock-rose, hoary
whitlowgrass,
horseshoe vetch,
lesser club-moss,
mossy saxifrage,
mountain
everlasting,
mouse-ear
hawkweed,
rough hawkbit,
salad burnet,
small scabious,
squinancywort,
wild thyme, yellow
saxifrage, small
sedges (spring,
flea, glaucous,
carnation)
At least one
frequent and three
occasional in the
sward.
If either three
indicator species
are occasional or
four are present
(but not limited
to field corners
or edges), then
record this as G08
in condition C.
Record as failing
condition 5 in the
notes column.
blue moor-grass
common bent
crested
hair-grass
meadow
oat-grass
red fescue
sheep’s fescue
sweet vernal grass
quaking-grass
Note: In the upland fringe, some enclosed swards on south-facing valley
sides, particularly on deeper soils, may have many of the indicators of G06
– Lowland meadows – BAP habitat and G04 – Lowland calcareous grassland
– BAP habitat, and may be considered as examples of the latter.
76
Key 2b continued
Table 7 G09 – Upland hay meadows – BAP habitat
Wildflower
indicator species
threshold
(do not count as
indicator species)
Free-draining
or moist neutral
soils in the
North Pennine
and Cumbrian
uplands, largely
cut for hay.
bird’s-foot-trefoil,
black knapweed,
bugle,
burnet saxifrage,
common
bistort, devil’sbit scabious,
globeflower,
eyebrights, great
burnet, hawkbits,
lady’s-mantles,
marsh marigold,
marsh valerian,
meadow vetchling,
meadowsweet,
melancholy thistle,
orchids, pignut,
ragged robin, sawwort, sneezewort,
tormentil, water
avens, wood
anemone, wood
crane’s-bill,
yellow rattle,
small blue-green
sedges (glaucous,
common,
carnation)
At least two
frequent and two
occasional in the
sward, or, for wet
meadows, at least
one frequent and
three occasional.
If three indicator
species are at least
occasional or four
are present (but
not limited to field
edges or corners),
then record as G09
in condition C.
Record as failing
condition 5 in the
notes column.
Section 2
Soils and
topography
cock’s-foot
common bent
crested dog’s-tail
red fescue
rough-stalked
meadow-grass
soft brome
sweet vernal grass
Yorkshire-fog
Note: Many indicators are common to both upland and lowland neutral
grassland, and the two types can occur in the same geographical area. In the
absence of strict upland hay meadow indicators, a high frequency of those
species in bold would indicate G09 – Upland hay meadows – BAP habitat.
77
Section 2
Key 2b continued
Table 8 G10 – Calaminarian grassland
Soils and
topography
Wildflower
indicator species
threshold
(do not count as
indicator species)
Gravels and spoil
from mineral
extraction
and ultrabasic
exposures.
alpine penny-cress
mountain pansy
Pyrenean
scurvygrass
sea campion
spring sandwort
thrift
Any indicators,
singly or together,
at least occasional
in the sward.
common bent
red fescue
sheep’s fescue
sweet vernal grass
If none of these
species is found
then record as G10
in condition C.
Record as failing
condition 5 in the
notes column.
Note: G10 is generally associated with lead mine spoil and outcropping
mineral veins in the upland fringes of northern and western England, and
with river gravels arising from mining activity. Mineral veins are largely found
within the Carboniferous limestones of the North Pennines and Yorkshire
Dales, Derbyshire, Cornwall and the Mendips. Serpentine soils rich in metals
such as nickel and chromium will support similar vegetation.
78
Key 2c – Key to the botanical enhancement potential of species-poor grassland
Does the soil or slope impose high stress on plants by:
n Drought: very shallow (<10 cm above rock) or extremely stony soil (>70% stones)
n Steepness: very steep slope of >25° (46% or 1 in 2)
n Water logging: soil wetness class V or VI1
Yes
The status of the soil available phosphorus in the main body of the field is:
High
>25 mg/l
Or index 3
Moderate
16-25 mg/l
or index 2
Is the soil potassium
status very low
(<61mg/l or index 0)?
No
Are livestock
available for
management?
Low
<16 mg/l
or index 0 or 1
UNSUITABLE
Section 2
No
No
MEDIUM POTENTIAL
Yes
Yes
Is the sward dominated
by aggressive species
such as: creeping
buttercup, soft brome,
white clover and
Yorkshire fog?
Yes
No
Does the soil or slope impose moderate stress on plants by either:
nDrought: shallow (10–20 cm above rock) or very stony soil (36–70%
stones) or very light texture (sand or loamy sand) to >30 cm depth or
above rock
n Steepness: steep slope of >16° (29% or 1 in 5.6)
n Water logging: soil wetness class IV
No
Yes
management?
Will management be by hay cutting, with
aftermath cattle grazing at least 2 years
in 3?
No
LOW POTENTIAL
No
Yes
Are injurious weeds
present throughout
the sward?
LOW POTENTIAL
Yes
Is the sward dominated by aggressive species such as creeping buttercup,
soft brome, white clover Yorkshire fog?
No
Yes
Are injurious/pernicious weeds
present throughout the sward?
No
REASSESS IN 2–5 YEARS2
REASSESS IN
2–5 YEARS2
MEDIUM POTENTIAL
Yes
Yes
No
Control weeds
and REASSESS
IN 1–2 YEARS
HIGH POTENTIAL
Soils with wetness class V and VI are wet for long periods into the growing season, or permanently
waterlogged near the surface. Soils with wetness class IV are waterlogged for long periods in winter.
2
Where these species dominate and there is no existing botanical interest, it may be more effective to remove
the sward (taking into account historical, bird and other interests on the site, and the risk of soil erosion).
1
79
High biodiversity value grassland features
Refer to Keys 3, 4a, 4b, 4c, 5a and 5b for additional guidance on
identifying these habitats (or potential for these habitats).
Section 2
G11 – Habitat for invertebrates
■■
ither this habitat will have a range of characteristics that make it
E
particularly valuable for invertebrates in general, or it will be the
known habitat of a nationally scarce (notable) invertebrate species.
■■
ecord this feature if any of the following invertebrates have been
R
recorded in the field:
n
any UK BAP priority species (eg hornet robberfly);
nany
species protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and
Countryside Act (eg mole cricket); or
nany
Red Data Book species or any Nationally Notable species
(This information can often be found at your local county
biological records centre.)
■■
I f you do not have any good species records, use Key 3 to identify
this feature.
If one of the following conditions applies, you can record the feature
as condition A, otherwise record it as condition B.
1.Cover of grass, rush or sedge tussocks should be between 5%
and 40%. (A tussock is a single plant or a clump of plants at least
15 cm wide that is more than 3 cm taller than the surrounding
vegetation.)
2.Flowering heads of wildflowers, especially clovers, vetches and
plants of the daisy family, should be frequent between 1 April and
31 August.
3.Cover of scrub should be between 5% and 20%, which should be
of mixed composition and age structure and distributed in more
than one block.
Notes column
Please refer to Section 1.4.4
80
G12 – Habitat for breeding waders – lowland
T his feature will normally occur on open fields (normally greater than
2 ha) in coastal and flood plain grazing marshes where water levels
are maintained at high levels through the spring and early summer.
ecord this feature if any of the following wading birds regularly
R
breed or nest in the field: curlew, redshank, snipe, black-tailed
godwit, ruff, lapwing and oystercatcher.
■■
I f you do not have any good species records, use Key 4a to identify
this habitat. You will probably need input from the land manager
to answer some of the questions in this key.
Section 2
■■
1.Cover of rushes should be less than 40% and on the remainder the
cover of grass or sedge tussocks should be between 5% and 60%.
(A tussock is a single plant or a clump of plants at least 15 cm wide
that is more than 3 cm taller than the surrounding vegetation.)
2.The average sward height during April and May should be between
5 cm and 15 cm, unless the land has been shut for hay. (The sward
should consist of patches of taller and shorter vegetation.)
3.The ground is wet between March and May (so that either: water
lies continually on the surface of more than 5% of the field; or a
6-inch nail can easily be pushed into the ground on more than 10%
of the field).
Notes column
G13 – Habitat for wintering waders and wildfowl
■■
T his feature will normally occur on open coastal and flood plain
grazing marsh (normally areas greater than 2 ha) where water levels
are kept high in the winter, often creating shallow pools.
■■
ecord this feature if any of the following birds regularly feed or
R
roost in the field during the winter months:
ngeese
– barnacle goose, brent goose, bean goose, pink-footed
goose or white-fronted goose;
81
nswans
– whooper swan or Bewick’s swan;
nducks
– wigeon, shoveler or pintail; or
birds – black-tailed godwit, curlew, golden plover or
redshank.
Section 2
nwading
■■
I f you do not have good bird records, use Key 4b to identify this
habitat. You will probably need input from the land manager to
answer some of the questions in this key.
■■
I f any of these birds also breed at the site, then the site may
also need to be recorded as G12 – Habitat for breeding waders –
lowland (see above for a definition) and as a species feature (see
Section 2.10).
1.Cover of rushes should be less than 40%, and on the remainder the
cover of grass or sedge tussocks should be between 5% and 60%.
(See G12 Condition Assessment 1 for definition of a tussock).
2. The sward height should be between 5 cm and 15 cm in November.
3.There is standing water on more than 5% of the field and the
ground is wet (a 6-inch nail can easily be pushed in) on more than
50% of the field between November and February.
Notes column
G14 – Habitat for breeding waders – upland
82
■■
T his feature will apply to enclosed wet grassland, usually in the
moorland fringe.
■■
ecord this feature if any of the following birds regularly breed
R
in the field: curlew, redshank, snipe and lapwing. (You should
also record breeding waders as the relevant species feature – see
Section 2.10 for further details on recording species in the FEP.)
■■
I f you do not have any bird information, use Key 5a to identify this
habitat.
1.Cover of rushes should be less than 40%, and on the remainder the
cover of tussocks of grass or sedge should be between 5%
and 60%.
Section 2
2.The average sward height during April and May should be between
5 cm and 15 cm, unless the land has been shut for hay. (The sward
should consist of patches of taller and shorter vegetation.)
3. In-field scrub cover should be zero.
Notes column
G15 – Coastal and flood plain grazing marsh – BAP habitat
■■
T his refers to periodically flooded pastures or meadows, with
ditches that maintain the water levels, containing brackish or fresh
water.
■■
The ditches are often especially rich in plants and invertebrates.
■■
Almost all areas are grazed but some are cut for hay or silage.
■■
The main grassland is often not very species-rich.
■■
12 and G13 (grassland for breeding and wintering birds respectively)
G
are also likely to be present in these areas (see page 81).
■■
T he feature F02 – high environmental value ditch (see page 49)
should be recorded if present.
■■
L and currently under arable in the flood plain but with potential to
be restored to G15 should be identified as A01 on the FEP Map, but
with its potential recorded in the Notes column (see Section 1.4.4).
dock, broad-leaved dock, common ragwort, marsh ragwort and
common nettle) should be less than 5%.
2.In-field scrub cover should be zero and scrub cover over the
ditches should be less than 10%.
Notes column
83
Key 3 – Key to identify habitat for invertebrates (G11)
Section 2
Have any of the following species been recorded in the field?
n Any UK BAP priority species (eg, hornet robberfly).
nAny invertebrate species protected under schedule 5 of the Wildlife and
Countryside Act (eg, mole cricket).
nAny critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable Red Data Book
species associated with the grassland.
Yes
No/Not known
Have any of the above species been recorded on land adjacent to the field
and, if so, are the necessary topographic, soil or hydrological features
present in the field so that the appropriate habitat or micro-habitats can be
restored or recreated?
Yes
No/Not known
Have either of the following been recorded in the field?
nSignificant populations of Nationally Notable species (ie representing more
than 1% of the known sites for the species in the region).
nA suite of Nationally Notable invertebrates (note: a suite would comprise at
least two species associated with a particular habitat or microhabitat).
Yes
The field has
very good
habitat for
invertebrates.
Record as G11.
The field has
very high
potential for
habitat for
invertebrates.
Record in Notes
column of the
Data Sheet
The field has
good habitat for
invertebrates
Record as G11
No/Not known
Have any of the above species been recorded on land adjacent to the field
and, if so, are the necessary topographic, soil or hydrological features
present in the field so that the appropriate habitat or micro-habitats can be
restored or recreated?
No/Not known
How many of the following micro-habitats are present?
1.Variable topography or areas of vertical or near vertical exposed soil (eg
on riverbanks).
2. Free-draining light soils.
3.At least some areas of species-rich, semi-natural vegetation (no evidence
of improvement using inorganic fertilisers).
4. Frequent patches of bare ground 0.01–0.1 m2 in size.
5. Occasional to abundant anthills.
6.Patches of mixed, scattered scrub; one or more ancient or veteran
trees; unpolluted, natural springs and flushes; or other temporary or
permanent water bodies with low nutrient status.
7.Variable vegetation structure with frequent patches of tussocks (over 5
cm taller than the surrounding vegetation) and short turf (less than 3 cm
total height), with tussocks remaining in place over winter.
8. Abundant seed or flower production throughout the year.
9. Dry stone walls or other walls with soft, friable mortar.
10.Fibrous dung (ie dung that retains a solid shape on the ground) from
cattle or horse droppings which attracts beetles.
84
Yes
The field has
high potential
for habitat for
invertebrates.
Record in Notes
column of Data
Sheet
Four to seven
Seven or more
Record as G11
Fewer than four
Do not record the
field as having value
or potential for
invertebrates
Key 4a – Key to identify habitat for breeding waders – lowland (G12)
No
Do not record the feature HABITAT
FOR LOWLAND BREEDING WADERS
Note: if the applicant is willing to
raise water levels, please refer to
Key 4c – to identify the potential for
habitat for lowland breeding waders
and habitat for wintering waders
and wildfowl
Section 2
Does the field lie wet between 1st March and 31st May so
that either of the following apply:
a) shallow water lies on more than 5% of the field, or;
b) a 6-inch nail (or similar) may be pushed into the ground
with ease on more than 10% of the field?
(This applies to fields in coastal or river floodplains,
bounded by at least one ditch through which water levels
may be controlled.)1
Yes
Do any of these species regularly breed2 on the field (or
extensive block4): curlew, redshank, snipe, black-tailed godwit,
ruff, lapwing, oystercatcher?3 (scarce breeding species such as
avocet may also be recorded)
Yes
nSSSIs and/or fields with species
that are listed in the appropriate
target or theme statement;
No/Not known
Is the field:
A <2 ha (and not within an extensive block4)
B 2 – 10 ha (or within an extensive block of 2 – 10 ha)
C >10 ha (or within an extensive block of more than 10 ha)
C
Does the field (or extensive block within which it
sits) have more than one boundary with hedges or
trees higher than 2 m? Is it adjacent to major roads?
Is it crossed by power lines or rights of way?
nfields within extensive blocks
larger than 10 ha;
nfields with an uneven surface
due to natural/artificial humps
and hollows, former salt marsh
rills, foot drains or collapsed
drainage channels;
B
A
Record the feature HABITAT FOR
BREEDING WADERS – LOWLAND
(G12). Fields with the following
should be considered as the
highest priority:
No
nfields within 1 km of an
intertidal habitat (eg salt marsh
or mudflats) or other major
wetland habitat.
Yes
Do not record the feature HABITAT FOR BREEDING
WADERS. The field may still have potential habitat for
breeding waders and existing or potential habitat for
wintering waders and wildfowl.
The 2005 FEP handbook allows this feature to be recorded on dry grassland in the flood plain. This key
provides additional clarification that the grassland must be wet before this habitat for breeding waders can
be recorded. FEP surveyors may inadvertently record this feature on dry grassland. However, there is a failsafe – the condition assessment includes a ‘wetness’ indicator which will prevent dry grassland coming into
the maintenance option (HK9).
2
‘Regularly breed’ means that a bird has exhibited territorial behaviour or raised young, in the previous year or
in at least two of the last five years, provided there has not been a major change in management since the last
observation.
3
Details of species records should be provided. Sites that support only lapwing or oystercatcher in the
absence of other species are likely to be given a lower priority than those sites supporting the other species
which have more exacting habitat requirements.
4
‘Extensive block’ means an open block of grass or arable land of which the field is part, provided that the
block is not intersected by a change in topography, by major roads or by any hedges or other internal
structures (excluding low wire fencing).
1
85
Key 4b – Key to identify habitat for wintering waders and wildfowl (G13)
Section 2
Does the field lie wet between 1st November and 28th
February so that either of the following apply:
a) water lies on more than 5% of the field, or;
b) a 6-inch nail (or similar) may be pushed into the ground
with ease on more than 50% of the field?
(This applies to fields in coastal or river floodplains,
bounded by at least one ditch through which water levels
may be controlled)1
No
Yes
Do any of these species feed or roost on the field(s) between
1st September and 1st March: barnacle goose, brent goose,
bean goose, pink-footed goose, white-fronted goose,
Bewick’s swan, whooper swan, gadwall, pintail, shoveler,
wigeon, curlew, redshank, golden plover, black-tailed
godwit2 (species on migration such as whimbrell may also be
recorded, where they regularly use a particular site)?
Yes
No/Not known
Is the field:
A – less than 2 ha (and not within an extensive block3)?
B – 2–10 ha (or within an extensive block of 2–10 ha)?
C – more than 10 ha (or within an extensive block of more
than 10 ha)?
C
B
A
Does the field (or extensive block within which it
sits) have more than one boundary with hedges or
trees higher than 2 m? Is it adjacent to major roads?
Is it crossed by power lines or rights of way?
No
Field does not currently or is
not known to provide HABITAT
FOR WINTERING WADERS AND
WILDFOWL
Note: if the applicant is willing to
raise water levels, please refer to
Key 4c – to identify the potential
for habitat for lowland breeding
waders and habitat for wintering
waders and wildfowl
Record the feature HABITAT
FOR WINTERING WADERS AND
WILDFOWL (G13). Fields with the
following should be considered as
the highest priority:
target or theme statement;
nfields within extensive blocks
larger than 10 ha;
drainage channels;
nfields within 1 km of an
intertidal habitat (eg, salt marsh
or mudflats) or other major
wetland habitat.
Yes
Do not record the feature HABITAT FOR WINTERING WADERS AND WILDFOWL. The field may still have
potential habitat for breeding waders or for wintering waders and wildfowl.
The 2005 FEP handbook allows this feature to be recorded on dry grassland in the flood plain. This key
provides additional clarification that the grassland must be wet before this habitat for breeding waders can
be recorded. FEP surveyors may inadvertently record this feature on dry grassland. However, there is a failsafe – the condition assessment includes a ‘wetness’ indicator which will prevent dry grassland coming into
the maintenance option (HK10). Dry grassland used by foraging geese or wintering waders may be eligible
for options HK15-17.
2
Details of species records should be provided.
3
‘Extensive block’ means an open block of grass or arable land of which the field is part, provided that the
block is not intersected by a change in topography, by major roads or by any hedges or other internal
structures (excluding low wire fencing).
1
86
Key 4c – Key to identify potential for habitat for lowland breeding waders and habitat for wintering waders
and wildfowl
No
Section 2
Is the field larger than 10 ha (or is it part of an extensive block1 larger than 10 ha) with no or very low (below
2 m) hedge boundaries, and neither adjacent to A-roads, trunk roads or motorways nor crossed by power
lines or rights of way? (The following are especially valuable: fields with an uneven surface due to natural/
artificial humps and hollows, former salt marsh rills, foot drains or collapsed drainage channels, or fields
within 1 km of an intertidal habitat (eg salt marsh or mudflats) or other major wetland habitat).
Yes
Is the field 2–10 ha (or is it part of a 2–10 ha extensive block) with no more than one boundary with
hedges or trees higher than 2 m, and neither adjacent to major roads nor crossed by power lines
or rights of way? Is the field larger than 10 ha (or part of an extensive block larger than 10 ha) but
bounded by tall hedges (higher than 2 m), adjacent to major roads or crossed by power lines or
rights of way?
No
Yes
Does the site have an uneven surface due to natural/artificial humps and hollows,
former salt marsh rills, foot drains or collapsed drainage channels, or is it within 1 km
of an intertidal habitat (eg salt marsh or mudflats) or other major wetland habitat.
No
No
Yes
Do the following conditions both apply?
nThe field is bounded by at least one ditch through which water levels may be
controlled (even if sluices are no longer in place).
nNo obvious constraints on water supply or obvious adverse effects on
neighbouring land (the Environment Agency will be consulted in order to
answer this).
Yes
If the applicant is willing to raise water
levels the site has high potential for
providing HABITAT FOR WINTERING
WADERS AND WILDFOWL and, if the
water levels can be raised to provide wet
conditions to the end of May, the field has
high potential for providing HABITAT FOR
LOWLAND BREEDING WADERS.
Yes
If the applicant is willing to raise water
levels the site has very high potential
for providing HABITAT FOR WINTERING
WADERS AND WILDFOWL and, if the
water levels can be raised to provide wet
conditions to the end of May, the field has
very high potential for providing HABITAT
FOR LOWLAND BREEDING WADERS.
The field should not be recorded as having potential for either feature (eg if the field is smaller than
2 ha (and not within an extensive block) or, if it is 2 – 10 ha but bounded on at least two sides by
hedges higher than 2 m, or is adjacent to major roads or crossed by power lines or rights of way, or
there are too many constraints on raising water levels).
1
‘Extensive block’ means an open block of grass or arable land of which the field is part, provided that the block is not intersected
by a change in topography, by major roads or by any hedges or other internal structures (excluding low wire fencing).
87
Key 5a – Key to identify habitat for breeding waders – upland (G14)
Section 2
Does the field (or extensive block1) lie wet between 1st
March and 31st May so that the ground surface remains
wet enough, on more than 10% of the field (or extensive
block1) for a 6-inch nail (or similar) to be pushed into the
ground with ease?
No
Yes
Do any of these species regularly breed2 on the field (or
extensive block1):curlew, redshank, snipe, lapwing and
golden plover?3
Yes
No/Not known
Is the field:
A <2 ha (and not within an extensive block1)?
B 2 – 10 ha (or within an extensive block1 of 2 – 10 ha)?
C >10 ha (or within an extensive block1 of more than 10 ha)?
A
C
B
Does the field (or extensive block1 within which it sits)
have more than one boundary with hedges, trees,
scrub or woodland higher than 2 m, or is it crossed by
power lines or well-used rights of way?4
Note: stone walls, sheep netting and low fence lines
are not considered negative features.
No
The field does not currently, or is
not known to, provide habitat for
upland breeding waders. Note:
if the applicant is willing to raise
water levels, please refer to Key 5b –
to identify the potential for habitat
for upland breeding waders.
Record the feature HABITAT FOR
UPLAND BREEDING WADERS (G14).
Fields with the following should be
considered as the highest priority:
nfields that have a high
proportion of flat ground (less
than 8° slope)5. On ground that
slopes more than 8°, identify
the area of terraces, steps and
other more level ground and
determine this as a percentage
of the field area;
target statement;
nfields within extensive blocks1
larger than 10 ha;
drainage channels;
nfields where cattle grazing is
available.
Yes
Do not record the feature G14 – Habitat for upland breeding
waders. The field may still have the potential for habitat for
breeding waders. An assessment of the wider area should
be made and consideration given to the provision of more
suitable sites.
‘Extensive block’ means an open block of grass or arable land of which the field is part, provided that the block
is not intersected by a change in topography, by major roads or by any hedges or other internal structures
(excluding low wire fencing).
2
‘Regularly breed’ means that a bird has exhibited territorial behaviour or raised young, in the previous year or
in at least two of the last five years, provided there has not been a major change in management since the last
observation.
3
Details of species records should be provided. Sites that support only lapwing in the absence of other species
are likely to be given lower priority than those supporting the other species which have more exacting habitat
requirements.
4
Field scale (>2 ha) can negate some negative boundary issues as the central areas can be used for nesting. The
larger the parcel, the less impact negative features could have.
5
Potential for nesting birds is greatly increased by flatness of ground. Use the following measure as a guide: more
than 50% of the field flat (0o – 8o) = good potential; 26 – 49% = medium potential; 0 – 25% = poor potential. NB:
depends on size of field, so for example, 25% of a 20 ha field = 5 ha of flat ground.
1
88
Key 5b – Key to identify potential for habitat for upland breeding waders
Does the site have at least 2 ha of level ground1 (ie less than 8° or 14%)?
No
Yes
No
Is the site bounded by hedges, scrub or
woodland boundaries (not including stone walls
or sheep netting fences), or crossed by power
lines (pylon type) or well-used rights of way?3
Yes
Yes
Section 2
Is the site larger than 10 ha or part of
an extensive block2 larger than 10 ha?
No
Do the following conditions apply:
nThe site contains a water ‘feature’ (eg ditches, drains, grips or flushes).
nWater levels can be regulated/enhanced (by an agreed method) to provide a high water table
to the end of May (so that the ground surface remains wet enough, on 10% of the field (or
extensive block2), so that a 6-inch nail (or similar) may be pushed into the ground with ease.
nThere are no obvious constraints on water level management (the Environment Agency will be
consulted before any options are put in place).
No
Yes
Does the site have at least 10 ha of flat ground1 (ie less than 8° or 14%)?
Yes
No
Does the site have an uneven surface
due to natural/artificial humps and
hollows, collapsed drainage channels?4
Yes
Very high potential
No
Does the site have an uneven surface
due to natural/artificial humps and
hollows, collapsed drainage channels?4
Yes
High potential
Medium potential
No
No/low potential
Note: use the following issues to prioritise:
n availability of bird records;
n proportion of the site that has very high or high potential (coverage of flat ground, field wetness);
n proximity to other breeding wader habitat;
n species likely to be attracted (dependent on vegetation structure);
n availability of cattle grazing.
Potential for nesting birds is greatly increased by flatness of ground. Use the following measure as a guide: more than
50% of the field flat (0o – 8o) = good potential; 26 – 49% = medium potential; 0 – 25% = poor potential. NB: depends on
size of field, so for example 25% of a 20 ha field = 5 ha of flat ground.
2
‘Extensive block’ means an open block of grass or arable land of which the field is part, provided that the block is not
intersected by a change in topography, by major roads or by any hedges or other internal structures (excluding low
wire fencing).
3
Field scale (>2 ha) can negate some negative boundary issues as the central areas can be used for nesting. The larger
the parcel, the less impact negative features could have.
4
Features which are dependent on soil type could facilitate retaining surface water.
1
89
Section 2
2.5 Heathland and moorland
Feature
Page
Feature
number detail
Unit of
measurement
M01 – Grass moorland and rough
grazing
94
–
ha
M02 – Fragmented heath
95
–
ha
M03 – Lowland heath – BAP habitat
95
–
ha
M04 – Upland heath – BAP habitat
97
Wet
Dry
Grip
ha
M05 – Mountain heath – BAP habitat
98
–
ha
M06 – Blanket bog – BAP habitat
99
Grip
ha
M07 – Upland cliffs and screes
99
–
ha
M08 – Upland flushes, fens and
swamps – BAP habitat
100
–
ha
See also:
G05 – Lowland dry acid grassland – BAP habitat (page 63)
G08 – Upland calcareous grassland – BAP habitat (page 67)
G10 – Calaminarian grassland (page 69)
C02 – Coastal sand dunes – BAP habitat (page 40)
C05 – Maritime cliffs and slopes – BAP habitat (page 43)
Several species of interest (see page 127) are associated with
heathland and moorland habitats.
General Information
This section is for habitat features of moorland, enclosed speciespoor, acid grassland in a Severely Disadvantaged Area, and lowland
heathland only.
90
The moorland features (all but M03 and M01 when they occur on
enclosed land):
pply to areas in moorland grazing units, potentially include large
a
enclosures such as allotments, intakes and newtakes;
■■
generally above an altitude of 250 m;
■■
are found in an SDA above the Moorland Line; and
■■
re characterised by the presence of upland species (such as red
a
grouse, breeding merlin, golden plover, dunlin, ring ouzel and
twite) and, conversely, generally by the absence of warmth-loving
lowland heath species.
Section 2
■■
Use Key 6 to HLS habitat features occurring on moorland to identify
these and other features that may occur in moorland grazing units.
For species-rich enclosed grasslands in the uplands, use the features
in the grassland section.
Key 6 Key to HLS habitat features occurring on moorland
1.
2.
3.
Grassland, mire (including bog) or heath, generally grazed
Go to 2
Dense scrub (generally at least 50% cover of woodystemmed vegetation including common gorse), 2–4 m high
Go to 10
Exposed rocky habitats, with vegetation growing out of
crevices, cracks and ledges
Go to 11
‘Heath’ and grassland, including sedge, moss and grass
heath (but excluding blanket bog and other mires, rocky
habitats and transitional sub-montane heath grassland),
above ‘notional tree line’, typically c.600 m Above
Ordnance Datum (AOD) (though varies geographically),
generally characterised by dwarf shrubs, especially
bilberry, crowberry and cowberry, stiff sedge, lichens and
mosses (especially woolly fringe-moss)
M05 –
Mountain
heath – BAP
habitat
Below tree line (typically c.600 m)
Go to 3
At least 0.5 m deep peat on generally flat or only slightly
sloping topography and with bog-mosses and/or
cottongrasses, especially hare’s-tail, generally at least
frequent.* (Can include similar vegetation on shallower peat,
though c.f. wet heath and upland flushes, fens and swamps)
M06 –
Blanket
bog – BAP
habitat
Less than 0.5 m peat depth
Go to 4
91
4.
Section 2
5.
6.
7.
92
At least 25% cover of dwarf shrubs (including western
gorse)
Go to 5
Less than 25% cover of dwarf shrubs (including western
gorse)
Go to 6
Bog-mosses generally absent or less than frequent*
and generally dominated by heather or bilberry or
occasionally other dwarf shrubs including western gorse
M04 –
Upland
heath – BAP
habitat: dry
heath
Bog-mosses at least frequent* and/or other wetland
indicator species such as bog-mosses (Sphagnum),
purple moor-grass, heath rush, deergrass and especially
cross-leaved heath, at least frequent*, though hare’s-tail
cottongrass usually absent (c.f. blanket bog). (May need
to separate out from dry heath if extensive or if both
occur over significant areas, as dwarf shrub cover targets
differ)
M04 –
Upland
heath – BAP
habitat: wet
heath
Mire in basin or valley topography, and flushes, springs,
seepages and swamps, usually with moving water.
Generally with wetland species such as bog-mosses,
‘brown mosses’, cottongrasses, spike-rushes, sedges
and rushes and/or wetland herbs at least frequent.*
Includes other generally small features in basin or valley
topography, eg runnels, soakaways, sedge lawns and
species-rich rush and purple moor-grass swards
M08 –
Upland
flushes, fens
and swamps
– BAP
habitat
Dense bracken stand with at least 50% cover at full frond
emergence
V05* Bracken
Grassland or rush pasture with less than 50% bracken
cover
Go to 7
Grassland dominated (generally with more than 25%
cover) by species typical of reseeded and/or fertilised
swards (especially rye-grass and/or white clover)
Improved
grassland
Grassland on spoil or gravel from mineral extraction
or associated with metal-rich ultrabasic exposures,
characterised by at least occasional* metallophyte
indicators (alpine penny-cress, mountain pansy, Pyrenean
scurvygrass, sea campion, spring sandwort and thrift)
G10 –
Calaminarian
grassland
Other semi-improved or unimproved grassland (not
dominated by rye-grass and/or white clover)
Go to 8
8.
10.
11.
G08 –
Upland
calcareous
grassland –
BAP habitat
Grassland in which calcicoles are less than frequent* or
entirely lacking, generally on acid or neutral soils
Go to 9
Grassland with dwarf shrubs, including western gorse,
at least frequent* but less than 25% cover (restorable to
heath through reduced grazing)
M02 –
Fragmented
heath
Grassland in which dwarf shrubs, including western
gorse, are less than frequent* or entirely lacking
M01 – Grass
moorland
and rough
grazing
Scrub dominated by native species in matrix with or
adjacent to other semi-natural habitats (or within range
of dependent priority species), with at least three woody
species and no one species over 75% cover, except juniper
(which can be up to 100% cover)
V05 – Scrub
of high
environmental value
Other scrub
Scrub
Exposed near horizontal limestone surface with a
complex pattern of blocks (clints) and fissures (grikes),
generally managed by grazing, with low cover of trees or
shrubs
L01 –
Limestone
pavement –
BAP habitat:
open
Other rocky habitats, including cliffs, scree, rubble and
rocky slopes
M07 –
Upland cliffs
and screes
Section 2
9.
Grassland with at least one calcicole frequent* and
three at least occasional* (see Table 7, upland calcareous
grassland indicators, on page 94), generally on limestone
The key applies to habitat features likely to be found within moorland grazing units,
potentially including large enclosures such as allotments, intakes and newtakes,
generally above c.250 m and within the Moorland Line and SDA. Woodland is not
included in the key, but can occur within moorland grazing units. Some of the
features also occur on other enclosed land.
* Frequent means found regularly throughout a stand, ie in a 1 m2 area at more than
50% of representative stops (more than one in two, or five or more out of ten);
occasional means found at 33% to 40% of stops (one in two to three, or three or
four out of ten).
93
Table 7 Upland calcareous grassland indicators to be used with Key
6 to HLS habitat features occurring on moorland
Section 2
Alpine bistort
Bird’s-eye primrose
Bird’s-foot-trefoil
Carline thistle
Common butterwort
Common rock-rose
Devil’s-bit scabious
Dropwort
Eyebrights
Fairy flax
Gentians
Grass of Parnassus
Harebell
Hoary rock-rose
Hoary whitlowgrass
Horseshoe vetch
Lesser club-moss
Mossy saxifrage
Mountain everlasting
Mouse-ear hawkweed
Rough hawkbit
Salad burnet
Small scabious
Squinancywort
Small sedges (eg
spring, flea, glaucous
and carnation)
Wild thyme
Yellow saxifrage
Notes column
recorded:
■■
t he occurrence of grips, including the estimated linear length per
hectare and whether they are active or not; and
■■
i f the condition assessment is B or C, details of which undesirable
species (if any) exceed the targets.
M01 – Grass moorland and rough grazing
■■
T his includes unenclosed wet and dry acid grassland in moorland
grazing units and enclosed species-poor acid grassland in Severely
Disadvantaged Areas, typically dominated by bent and fine-leaved
fescue grasses, mat-grass, heath rush and purple moor-grass.
■■
It is generally on mineral soils or shallow (less than 0.5 m deep) peat.
■■
warf shrubs are generally absent or, if present, are less than
D
frequent.
■■
I t can include degraded heath and mire vegetation that no longer
falls under other feature definitions.
94
Notes column
Please refer to ‘Notes column’ in the heathland and moorland features
section on page 94. In addition, the following should be recorded:
hether dwarf shrubs are absent or occasional (they should be
W
less than frequent) and, if they are present, over roughly what
proportion of the feature they occur.
■■
Note the potential for restoration or heathland creation.
Section 2
■■
M02 – Fragmented heath
■■
T his is relict upland heath in moorland grazing units, generally in a
mosaic with acid grassland.
■■
over of dwarf shrubs is less than 25%, but dwarf shrubs are
C
frequent.
■■
T here is the potential to restore fragmented heath to upland heath
through reduced grazing and/or burning (although it may have an
existing value for other features such as breeding waders).
Notes column
■■
t he frequency and a rough estimate of the cover of dwarf shrubs
(these should be at least frequent but less than 25% cover); and
■■
the potential for restoration (or possibly heathland creation).
M03 – Lowland heath – BAP habitat
■■
L owland heath includes dry heath, dune heath, wet heath and
valley mire communities, usually below an altitude of 250 m and
outside any area included in both the Severely Disadvantaged Area
and Moorland Line, on acidic soils and shallow peat.
■■
I t typically comprises heathers, gorses, fine grasses, wildflowers
and lichens in a complex mosaic.
■■
There is usually at least 25% cover of heathers and other dwarf shrubs.
95
Section 2
■■
reas of fen and lowland raised bog should be recorded as W04
A
and W05 respectively.
■■
L owland heath that has scrubbed over or is predominately
secondary woodland should be recorded as T08 – Native seminatural woodland, and in the Farm Overview and Opportunities
form record that there is an opportunity to restore lowland heath.
1.Cover of dwarf shrubs should be between 25% and 95%, with at
least two species frequent.
2.There should be a range of age classes of heather present, with
cover of young (pioneer stage) heather between 10% and 15% and
cover of old (late-mature/degenerate stages) between 10% and
30% (see Figure 6).
3.Cover of undesirable species (bracken, injurious weeds and
invasive non-native plants) should be less than 10%.
4. Cover of trees and/or scrub should be less than 15%.
Figure 6 – Illustration of heather age classes
Notes column
■■
96
eath types present (such as dry heath, wet heath, chalk/limestone
h
heath, maritime heath, dune heath) and the approximate
proportion of the site they occupy; and
■■
i f they are present, the frequency and a rough estimate of the
cover of dwarf shrubs, and over roughly what proportion of the
feature they occur.
M04 – Upland heath – BAP habitat
pland heath comprises heath vegetation in moorland grazing
U
units with at least 25% cover of dwarf shrubs (heathers, bilberry,
crowberry and western gorse).
■■
I t is generally on well-drained, nutrient-poor acid soils, including
shallow (less than 0.5 m deep) peat.
Section 2
■■
Feature detail
Wet: Characterised by frequent cross-leaved heath and wetland
species such as bog-mosses (Sphagnum) and/or purple moor-grass,
heath rush and deergrass.
Dry: Drier vegetation with these wet heath species less than frequent.
Grip: Record the presence of grips in the feature detail box.
1.Cover of dwarf shrubs at least 50% for dry heath or between 20% and
75% for wet heath, with at least two dwarf shrub species frequent.
2.No signs of burning of ‘sensitive areas’. Sensitive areas comprise:
thin soils (less than 5 cm deep); steep slopes (greater than a
gradient of one in two); pools, wet hollows, hags and erosion
gullies; areas close to watercourses (within 5 m); areas with
noticeably uneven structure at a small scale (c.1 m or less,
particularly very old heather stands); and severely wind-clipped
vegetation (usually forming a mat less than 10 cm thick).
3.In areas of dry heath in a burning rotation (that is, excluding
sensitive areas and other no-burn or unburnt areas), a range of age
classes of heather present, with the proportion of young (pioneer
stage) heather between 10% and 50% and of old (late-mature/
degenerate stage) heather at least 10% (see Figure 6).
4.No more than 33% of heather shoots should be grazed (when
assessed between February and April), or flowering heather plants
are at least frequent in autumn.
97
Section 2
Notes column
■■
t he presence of recent burning, including any burning in sensitive
areas; and
■■
hether sensitive, no-burn or unburnt areas have been excluded
w
from the assessment of growth stages.
M05 – Mountain heath – BAP habitat
■■
T his refers to dry heath and grassland, above the natural tree line
(typically around 600 m, though this varies geographically), which
includes prostrate dwarf shrub heath and sedge, moss and grass
heaths.
■■
T he heathland is characterised by Arctic and Alpine species such as
alpine clubmoss, stiff sedge, viviparous fescue, crowberry, alpine
lady’s-mantle, woolly fringe-moss and bushy (Cladonia) lichens.
■■
I t does not include calcareous grassland, flushes, fens and
swamps, blanket bog and rocky habitats in the montane zone.
1.At least one species of dwarf shrub and at least one species of
moss, liverwort or lichen frequent.
2.Cover of positive indicator species (dwarf shrubs, common juniper,
dwarf willow, woolly fringe-moss, bushy (Cladonia) lichens, alpine
lady’s-mantle, stiff sedge, mat-grass and wavy hair-grass) at least
25% for moss heath or 66% for dwarf shrub heath.
3.No more than 10% of the leaves of indicator species or 20% of
heather shoots (the latter ideally when assessed between February
and April) should be grazed.
4. No signs of burning.
Notes column
Please refer to ‘Notes column’ in the heathland and moorland
features section on page 94.
98
M06 – Blanket bog – BAP habitat
T his feature comprises upland wetland vegetation, generally on at
least 0.5 m depth of flat or gently sloping blanket peat, and usually
on unenclosed moorland.
■■
I t is characterised by bog-mosses (Sphagnum) and cottongrasses,
especially hare’s-tail cottongrass, and a mix of deergrass, purple
moor-grass and dwarf shrubs (especially cross-leaved heath and
heather), usually with at least some other indicator species present.
Section 2
■■
Feature detail
Grip: See M04 – Upland heath – BAP habitat for a definition (page 97).
1.Bog-mosses (Sphagnum) at least frequent, with less than 10%
damaged (dead/bleached or crushed/broken/pulled).
2.Cover of dwarf shrubs between 20% and 75% (except when bogmosses (Sphagnum) or other wetland indicators are dominant),
with at least two dwarf shrub species frequent.
3.Flowering cottongrass plants frequent in spring (where present), or
flowering heather plants at least frequent in autumn (where present).
4. Cover of grasses, sedges and rushes less than 75%.
Notes column
M07 – Upland cliffs and screes
■■
T his includes vegetation growing out of crevices, cracks and ledges
on exposed rocks, including cliffs, scree, rubble and rocky slopes,
within moorland grazing units.
■■
T he vegetation may be sparse or thick and is generally dominated
by herbs, grasses, ferns, mosses or lichens.
See also:
G10– Calaminarian grassland (page 69)
99
1. Cover of bracken, scrub and trees less than 25%.
Section 2
2.Cover of weed (for example, creeping and spear thistles, docks,
brambles, common ragwort and common nettle) or non-native
species less than 1%.
3.Less than 50% of live leaves (broad-leaved plants), fronds (ferns) or
shoots (dwarf shrubs) show signs of grazing or browsing.
4. Cover of disturbed bare ground less than 10%.
Notes column
M08 – Upland flushes, fens and swamps – BAP habitat
■■
T his feature includes acidic and base-rich mires in valley or basin
topography, and springs, seepages and flushes, generally with water
movement, on peaty or mineral soils in moorland grazing units.
■■
T hey are usually at least seasonally waterlogged and typically
dominated by sedges, cottongrasses, spike-rushes and rushes,
with occasional wetland herbs and/or a carpet of mosses,
especially bog-mosses (Sphagnum) and ‘brown mosses’.
■■
T hey include other, generally small, features as part of a mire
system in valley or basin topography, for example, runnels,
soakaways, sedge lawns and species-rich rush beds (but excluding
species-poor rush and purple moor-grass swards). They also
exclude blanket bog, narrow (less than 5 m wide) fringes of swamp
adjacent to open standing water and reedbeds.
100
■■
ecord this feature on unenclosed moorland, even where the
R
feature definition of W04 – Fens – BAP habitat (page 150) is
otherwise met.
■■
‘Brown mosses’ include the following moss families: Campylium,
Calliergon, Drepanocladus, Ctenidium, Scorpidium and Palustriella.
■■
etland herbs include bird’s-eye primrose, marsh valerian,
W
butterworts, marsh cinquefoil, bogbean and yellow (mountain)
saxifrage.
1.Bog-mosses (Sphagnum), ‘brown mosses’, sedges and/or wetland
herbs at least frequent.
2.Cover of trees and shrubs and/or disturbed ground less than 10%.
Section 2
3.Where present (and in season), flowering plants of cottongrass,
grasses and sedges, heathers and wetland herbs at least frequent
(ie not grazed).
4.Cover of soft and sharp-flowered rushes, common reed, Yorkshirefog and/or creeping buttercup less than 10%.
Notes column
101
Section 2
2.6 Historic environment and landscape
Feature
Page
number
Feature
detail
Unit of
measurement
H01 – Above-ground historic feature
106
See Table 8
ha
H02 – Below-ground historic feature
108
See Table 8
ha
H03 – Historic routeway
109
–
m
H04 – Large-scale archaeological
feature
109
See Table 8
ha
H05 – Relict boundary of historic
importance
110
–
m
H06 – Historic water meadow
111
Catch meadow
ha
H07 – Building – farm – traditional
and roofed
112
See Table 9
no.
H08 – Building – military
113
–
no.
H09 – Building – industrial
114
See Table 10
no.
H10 – Building – other roofed
building of historic importance
115
–
no.
H11 – Structure – other (of historic or
landscape interest)
115
Structure – ruin
no.
Structure
–sheepfold
no.
Wall of walled
garden
m
Built water –
ornamental
parkland
no.
Built water –
industrial
no.
Built water –
agricultural
no.
Railings
m
H12 – Built water feature
102
116
H13 – Fence/railing of historic or
landscape importance
117
Slate fence
m
H14 – Designed landscape
118
See Table 11
ha
H15 – Parkland structure
119
Parkland – folly
no.
Parkland –
ha-ha
m
See also:
T15 – Traditional orchards (page 146)
T03– Wood pasture and parkland – BAP habitat (page 140)
T07– Landmark woodland (page 144)
Section 2
2.6.1 Transferring HER data onto the FEP
The HER consultation report will usually be provided in electronic
format (an Excel spreadsheet) which should be copied and pasted
directly into the eFEP Data Sheet. The following points should be
taken into account when checking the HER data in the field and
updating the Data Sheet.
Feature name
In some cases, the HER may not always identify which feature name is
appropriate – particularly whether it is visible (H01 Above-ground) or
not (H02 Below-ground). In these cases the HER consultation report
will have listed the alternatives with a note stating that you will need
to fill in the correct feature name in the FEP when you visit the site.
Feature detail
Where feature details have been provided for historic environment
features recorded by the HER consultation, these can be used with
confidence. While you should try to identify the feature details of any
other historic features, if you cannot confidently identify them as one of
the features in the list of feature details, this box should be left blank.
Designations
If the feature has any designation, such as Scheduled Monument (SM),
World Heritage Site (WHS), Registered Park or Garden (RPG) or Listed
Building (LB), or it is identified on the HER, this must always be recorded.
These features will have been identified in the HER consultation
response. Where there is no numeric reference, the HER will have
provided a ‘designation title’ in the notes section of the consultation and
this should be transferred to the notes column of the FEP.
Grid references
For each historic and landscape feature, an eight-figure national grid
reference with the appropriate letter prefix (eg TL 1234 1234) must be
recorded.
103
Section 2
For known features, grid references will have been provided by the
HER consultation and these should be used in the FEP grid reference
column, even if your survey finds them to be incorrect. Where there
is an error, you should mark the true location of the site in the correct
place on the FEP Map along with its HER designation reference and
insert the correct grid reference in the notes column, along with an
explanation of the problem. You may wish to inform the HER of any
discrepancies.
If you have identified a historic feature that is not noted in your HER
consultation, locate the centre point of the feature using an accurate
grid reference – the use of GPS to locate this (to the 10-figure national
grid reference) is recommended. You should note that this is a new
feature in the notes column and accurately mark the feature on the
FEP Map.
Feature area/length/quantity
If your survey shows that the size of the feature differs substantially
from the information provided by the HER consultation, the actual
size of the feature should be recorded in the ‘Feature area’ column
and the discrepancy noted in the notes column.
Condition assessments
When carrying out a condition assessment for a historic environment
feature, consider a reasonable surrounding area in order to assign
condition. For instance, a barrow is likely to have a ditch around the
outside of the mound that can no longer be seen. In this case, the
mound plus a margin of 10 m width should be assessed.
Unless the feature is a Scheduled Monument (see Section 1.4.4),
‘Feature condition’ should be based on the FEP criteria and any
differences between this condition and any ratings that might have
been provided by the HER consultation should be recorded in the
notes column.
Recording large-scale features or landscapes
Where a feature, such as a large-scale historic feature or designed
parkland, extends across several fields in different conditions, these
should be recorded as separate features so that their condition can
be assessed and suitable management proposed. The designation
reference number will tell us that they are parts of the same feature.
104
If several similar archaeological features of the same type (for
example, ‘Above-ground historic feature’, ‘Feature detail – barrow’)
exist close to each other in the same field and show the same
condition, you can mark them as one HLS feature.
■■
i f the H01, H03 or H04 feature is not accessible due to coverage of
over 10% scrub, then record it as being in condition C;
■■
i f the above-ground part of a feature is no longer present, for
instance if it has been ploughed flat, then record it as H02 – Belowground historic feature and note the changes.
Section 2
Where features cannot be located
It may not always be possible to identify all the sites in the HER
consultation on the ground. The following procedure may be useful:
Notes column
Please refer to Section 1.4.4. In addition the following should be
recorded:
■■
ny recent significant changes to the condition of a Scheduled
a
Monument that are not reflected in the HER consultation’s
condition assessment. Please make a note of the changes along
with the criteria on which the Scheduled Monument fails;
■■
i f a feature has been totally removed or is different from the
expected feature name (for example, the feature is H02 rather than
H01);
■■
c orrection of a grid reference provided by the HER, where the HER
consultation grid reference is found to be wrong;
■■
iscrepancies between the actual feature area and that provided
d
by the HER;
■■
ny designation title that has been identified in the notes section
a
of the HER consultation;
■■
ny second designation reference that has been identified in the
a
notes section of the HER consultation;
■■
verification of feature names or feature details;
■■
any newly identified historic features;
■■
here you have grouped any similar archaeological features of the
w
same type that are close to each other in the same field and show
the same condition; and
105
■■
ny differences between the FEP condition assessment and any
a
condition ratings provided by the HER. Please note that Scheduled
Monuments are treated differently (see Section 1.4.4).
Section 2
2.6.2 How to map historic environment and landscape features
The features shown on the HER consultation map should not
be transferred to the FER/FEP Map. Instead, append the HER
consultation map to the FEP as an additional supporting document.
However, any new features that you identify in the field should be
accurately identified on the FEP Map using the relevant notations, and
an entry made in the Environmental Features Data Sheet to make this
addition clear.
Archaeological and large-scale features of historic environment
interest
H01 – Above-ground historic feature
106
■■
T his refers to visible historic features such as earthworks, ridges/
banks, dry ditches, prehistoric stone structures and relict features
that are obviously visible in the field, for example, monuments,
mounds, earth banks or other humps and hollows.
■■
I t includes prehistoric rock art and historically interesting graffiti,
for example graffiti from the Second World War preserved in a pill
box.
■■
T he main source of information about these features is likely to be
the HER, but new features may be discovered on site.
Feature detail
Table 8 Feature details relevant to H01, H02 and H04
Agricultural – Ridge/rigg and furrow
Industrial – Wood processing
Agricultural – Lynchet
Historic water – Moat
Ritual – Standing stones
Historic water – Pond
Ritual – Cairn/cairnfield
Historic water – Maritime
Ritual – Barrow
Historic water – Management
structure
Ritual – Religious house
Military – Hill fort
Ritual – Other
Military – Castle
Settlement – Prehistoric
Military – Battlefield
Section 2
Agricultural – Strip lynchet/strip field Industrial – Quarry/mine
Settlement – Roman/Romano-British Military – Fort
Settlement – Medieval
Military – Modern
Settlement – Post-medieval/modern
Other earthworks – Linear
Settlement – Unknown
Other earthworks – Non-linear
Rock art
Other earthworks – Park pale
Historically interesting graffiti
Other earthworks – Pillow mound
1. When assessing the condition of these features, include a sufficient
area to include the whole feature, even if some parts are no longer
visible.
2. D
etrimental indicators include, but are not limited to: burrows,
bare ground, scrub bracken, reeds, vehicular access routes, paths,
poaching, fires, new drainage, non-archaeological excavation and
erosion. For rock art/historically interesting graffiti detrimental
indicators could include recent graffiti or unstable surfaces. For
archaeological features in wetlands detrimental indicators may be
non-waterlogged areas.
107
nIf
the total cover of detrimental indicators is nil, then the feature
should be recorded as condition A.
nIf
the total cover of detrimental indicators is greater than nil but
less than 10% (less than 2% for rock art/historically interesting
graffiti), then the feature should be recorded as condition B.
the total cover of detrimental indicators is greater than 10%
(greater than 2% for rock art/historically interesting graffiti),
then the feature should be recorded as condition C.
Section 2
nIf
3. On arable land, record the feature as:
ncondition
B when cultivation depth (at all times in the rotation)
over the feature is less than 5 cm; or
ncondition
C when cultivation depth (at any point in the rotation)
over the feature is greater than 5 cm.
Notes column
Please refer to ‘Notes column’ in the historic environment and
landscape features section on page 105.
H02 – Below-ground historic feature
■■
T his includes historic features such as archaeological sites
identified only by soil and crop marks on aerial photographs, and
below-ground structures such as souterrains.
■■
T here will be no obvious changes in topography that show the
feature in the field, and therefore these features are not usually
visible at ground level.
■■
T he main source of information about these is likely to be the HER,
but new features may be discovered on site.
Feature detail
Use the feature detail for H01 – Above-ground historic feature.
Use the condition assessment for H01 – Above-ground historic feature.
Notes column
108
H03 – Historic routeway
outeways will usually be historic and may or may not be in use
R
today as routeways.
■■
n historic routeway may include green lanes bounded by hedges
A
or walls, routes linking industrial features such as old quarries and
lime kilns, and pack horse routes.
Section 2
■■
1.Detrimental indicators include, but are not limited to: burrows,
bare patches, poaching, scrub, bracken, reed growth and erosion.
Cover of detrimental indicators over the whole feature should be
less than 2%. If cover of detrimental indicators is more than 10%,
then the feature should be recorded as condition C, regardless of
all other condition indicators.
2. The routeway is accessible along its length to a width of at least 1 m.
3.Associated features such as stiles and gates should be in good
condition.
4. The routeway should be clear of machinery or dumped material.
Notes column
H04 – Large-scale archaeological feature
■■
T hese features may be visible (for example a series of earthworks
or stone monuments) or invisible (lying under arable fields but
identified through aerial photography).
■■
Features will usually extend over a number of fields and holdings.
■■
eatures may date from a single period in time but consist
F
of several elements, or may be sites from many time periods
overlaying each other.
■■
istoric field systems that comprise a cohesive system of
H
boundaries, such as lynchets and other historic cultivation
boundary features, may also be grouped under this feature type.
109
■■
edieval deer parks are likely to be included here, not as H14 –
M
Designed landscape, as most of them show no evidence today of a
‘designed’ landscape.
Section 2
Feature detail
Use the feature detail for H01 – Above-ground historic feature.
Use the condition assessment for H01 – Above-ground historic feature.
Notes column
H05 – Relict boundary of historic importance
■■
T his refers to hedges, ditches, walls and banks that no longer
function as effective boundaries but are traceable due to remnant
features.
■■
I t includes parish boundaries, boundaries that pre-date the
modern parliamentary enclosure acts or other boundaries linked
to pre-enclosure fields, historic woodland banks or ditches and
historic parkland boundaries
Use the condition assessment for HO1 - Above-ground historic feature.
Notes column
110
H06 – Historic water meadow
■■
T his includes meadows with a system of ditches and (often) ridges
linked to a natural watercourse(s) designed to control water flow
across pasture. Associated structures will include sluices.
Section 2
Feature detail
Catch meadows: Catch meadows occur on slopes, mainly in the
south-west. They do not have the ridges that are associated with the
lower-lying or flatter water meadows.
1.Use the condition assessment for H01 – Above-ground historic feature.
2.Where there are associated structures such as sluices or drains,
these should be retained in good, stable condition.
Notes column
Historic buildings and structures
All historic farm buildings or other structures that are not in domestic
use but are part of the holding (not necessarily located on RLR
parcels) and under the control or maintenance of the applicant must
be identified individually and the condition of each one assessed.
This includes individual buildings in a farm complex, even if they are
attached to each other. Farmhouses and buildings in any domestic
use should not be recorded on the FEP.
Feature detail
Buildings should be identified as far as possible by the feature detail
that most closely reflects their original historic use, not necessarily
their current use. Where you cannot easily establish the feature
detail, leave it blank. The land manager may have information about
each building that could help you.
111
Section 2
Buildings that have lost their roofs, or have had them replaced in
sheet materials such as asbestos, cement or steel, but which could
easily be restored to their original condition should be included under
the relevant feature category, for example, H07 – Building – farm –
cowshed. They should only be recorded as either condition B or C.
Buildings that cannot reasonably be restored to their original
condition – for example, ruins – should be marked as H11 – Structure –
other (of historic or landscape interest).
Model farms
If the farm complex is of a high-status single-design layout, it may be
what is commonly termed a ‘model farm’. In these cases, in addition to
recording and condition assessing each individual building, record the
complex as an extra feature detail under H14 – Designed landscape –
model farm, and condition assess the feature as a group of buildings.
H07 – Building – farm – traditional and roofed
■■
T his includes roofed structures pre-dating 1940 that are built using
traditional methods and materials.
■■
I t includes buildings physically associated with a farm, for
example, mills, malting floors, oast houses and dovecotes.
Feature detail
Table 9 Feature details relevant to H07
Farm building – Cow shed
Farm building – Cart shed
Farm building – Pig sty
Farm building – Dovecote
Farm building – Threshing barn
Farm building – Oast house
Farm building – Hay barn
Farm building – Cider house
Farm building – Stable
Farm building – Windmill
Farm building – Granary
Farm building – Water mill
Farm building – Horse engine house
112
1.The building is generally weatherproof. Drains, pipes, gutters, and
other rainwater goods are free-flowing, without leakage.
Section 2
2.The building is structurally intact and sound with only minor
cracking or bulging to walls and no full-height cracks. Roof trusses
are intact and sound.
3.At least 95% (by surface area) of the building fabric is of traditional
construction and maintained in sound condition using traditional
materials and techniques.
4.Damaging vegetation such as ivy or trees is present on no more
than 5% of the building.
Notes column
landscape features section on page 105. In addition, information
about changes to buildings should be recorded.
H08 – Building – military
■■
T his refers to structures of military origin, such as those dating
from the First and Second World Wars.
T hese might not be constructed with traditional materials or
construction techniques.
■■
1.The building, if roofed, is generally weatherproof. If not roofed,
the structure is intact, with consolidated masonry and sound
weatherproof capping to walls. Drains, pipes, gutters, and other
rainwater goods, are free-flowing, without leakage.
cracking or bulging to walls and no full-height cracks. Roof
trusses, if present, are intact and sound.
3.At least 95% (by surface area) of the building fabric is maintained
in sound condition using materials and techniques as used in the
original construction.
113
Section 2
Notes column
H09 – Building – industrial
■■
T his includes roofed structures of industrial origin such as quarry
and mine buildings and mills.
■■
T his does not include those buildings associated with the
farmstead or post-1940’s buildings.
Feature detail
Industrial building – Lime kiln
Industrial building – Processing
Industrial building – Mining
Industrial building – Windmill
Industrial building – Quarrying
Industrial building – Water mill
Use the condition assessment for H07 – Building – farm – traditional
and roofed.
Notes column
114
H10 – Building – other roofed building of historic importance
T his includes transitional buildings designed and built, usually
before 1940, using traditional materials and techniques but
exhibiting the introduction of non-traditional elements, for
example, otherwise traditional buildings designed to carry only
sheeted roofing.
■■
I n addition, structures designed and built before the 1940s,
typically using iron, steel, timber or mass concrete, are included
if they are of historic and/or landscape interest, for example early
round-head Dutch barns.
Section 2
■■
Use the condition assessment for H07 – Building – farm – traditional
and roofed.
Notes column
H11 – Structure – other (of historic or landscape interest)
■■
T hese are structures of historic and/or landscape interest that do
not have a roof and that date from pre-1940, including sheepfolds,
ruins, bridges and wells.
Feature detail
Structure – ruin
Structure – sheepfold
Wall of walled garden
1.The structure, if roofed, is generally weatherproof. If present,
drains, pipes, gutters, and other rainwater goods, are free-flowing,
without leakage.
115
cracking or bulging to walls and no full-height cracks.
3.At least 95% of the building fabric is maintained in sound condition
using materials and techniques as used in the original construction.
Section 2
Notes column
H12 – Built water feature
■■
T hese are water bodies, associated features and built structures
that have been designed and constructed, often as part of a larger
designed landscape.
■■
T hey include ornamental and parkland water features such as
lakes, decoy ponds, cascades, rills and dams, and industrial water
features such as mill ponds, races and leats.
Also record the feature as W07 – Ponds, if it falls under the definition
for this feature as well.
Feature detail
Built water – Ornamental parkland
Built water – Industrial
Built water – Agricultural
1. The water body should retain its original size and form.
2.Most (95%) of the structure, including pointing, masonry and
brickwork, is intact, retained and maintained in a sound and stable
condition using local materials and techniques as used in the
original construction and design.
116
3. The water body should retain water throughout the year.
4.Detrimental indicators such as invasive species, burrows, erosion
and poaching by livestock, material dumping, feeding troughs and
machinery storage should cover no more than 5% of the feature.
Section 2
5.Where associated features are present, at least 95% of the
associated features should be in a sound and stable condition.
Notes column
H13 – Fence/railing of historic or landscape importance
■■
T his refers to boundary structures other than hedges, ditches,
banks or walls that are of historic and/or landscape interest,
usually due to their topographic position in the landscape or in a
designed landscape, or because they indicate a local use of this
boundary type.
Feature detail
Railings
Slate fence
1.The fence/railing and associated structures such as stiles and gates
are regularly maintained in materials appropriate to the historic or
landscape value of the feature.
2.There is an undisturbed strip at least 0.5 m wide adjacent to the edge
of the fence/railings that is neither cultivated nor covered by scrub.
3.There should be no more than 10% gaps or damage along the
length of the fence/railings.
Notes column
117
Designed landscape and parkland
Section 2
H14 – Designed landscape
■■
designed landscape is an area of land designed and ‘laid out’,
A
constructed and engineered in accordance with predetermined plans.
■■
It includes any buildings and ornamental structures.
■■
esigned landscapes include parklands, industrial planned
D
landscapes, model farms and 19th-century enclosure landscapes.
If you are recording the feature detail ‘Model farm’, please remember to
also record each individual building under the relevant building feature.
Feature detail
Designed – Parkland
Designed – 19th-century enclosure
Designed – Park pale
Designed – Industrial planned
Designed – Rabbit warren
Designed – Walled garden
Designed – Model farm
1.The landscape should retain its original or modified distinctive
historic design.
2.Most (95%) of the buildings, ornamental structures, historical
artefacts and associated features should be intact, retained
and maintained in a sound and stable (good) condition using
local traditional materials and techniques as used in the original
construction.
3.The balance of trees, shrubs and grassland of appropriate species
should be retained and managed.
Notes column
118
H15 – Parkland structure
■■
T hese are structures that were built as part of a designed landscape,
including follies, grottos and monuments such as obelisks.
Section 2
Feature detail
Parkland – Folly
Parkland – Ha-ha
1.The structure, if roofed, is generally weatherproof. If present,
drains, pipes, gutters, and other rainwater goods, are free-flowing,
without leakage.
2.The structure is structurally intact and sound with only minor
cracking or bulging to walls and no full-height cracks.
3.At least 95% of the structure’s fabric is maintained in sound
condition using materials and techniques as used in the original
construction.
4.Damaging vegetation, such as ivy or trees, is present on no more
than 5% of the structure.
Notes column
119
2.7 Limestone pavement
Feature
Page
number
Feature Unit of
detail
measurement
L01 – Limestone pavement – BAP habitat
120
–
ha
Section 2
See also:
M07– Upland cliffs and screes (page 99)
T08 –Native semi-natural woodland (page 145) (for limestone
pavements that contain woodland)
L01 – Limestone pavement – BAP habitat
■■
This feature is found on Carboniferous limestone in northern England.
■■
T he exposed near-horizontal limestone surface is characterised by
a complex pattern of blocks (clints) and deep fissures (grykes).
■■
n open pavements, the vegetation is largely confined to the
O
grykes and can be rich in vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens.
■■
T ree and shrub cover is low, but many of the species found in the
humid, shady conditions of the grykes are more typical of woodlands.
■■
T he exact assemblage varies according to geographical location,
altitude, extent of pavement and degree of grazing.
1. There should be no evidence of damage to the pavement surface.
2.Cover of typical emergent pavement flora and clint-top vegetation
should account for at least 25% of total vegetation cover (ie
excluding bare rock).
3.Cover of all undesirable herbaceous species (false oat-grass,
crested dog’s-tail, brambles, creeping thistle, spear thistle, curled
other pernicious perennial species) should be less than 5%.
4.Cover of undesirable woody species (sycamore, beech, blackthorn
and cotoneasters) should be less than 10% of the woody cover.
Notes column
■■
■■
120
key or characteristic species present;
whether the pavement is wooded or open in character.
2.8 Natural resource protection
Page
number
Feature
detail
Unit of
measurement
N01 – Land at risk of generating
diffuse pollution
123
–
ha
Section 2
Feature
2.8.1 Soil erosion risk assessment
To determine if any land is at risk of soil erosion you should carry
out the following risk assessment of all fields on the holding. Prior
to carrying out the risk assessment, you should discuss this with the
land owner as he may hold information which can be used for this
purpose.
Erosion of soil by water
This part of the risk assessment refers to the movement of sediment
within the field and possible transfer to watercourses or other places
such as neighbouring properties or onto roads. The risk assessment
should be based on the following criteria:
■■
Soil texture;
■■
S teepness of slope angles should be assessed to determine the
relative overall risk of an area of land;
■■
looding frequency: Land that floods is susceptible to erosion
F
and run-off, particularly when under cultivation. Land that floods
regularly (at least 1 year in 3) must be regarded as being at high risk
of erosion and run-off.
Note: Current land use is not taken into account in this assessment as
it is designed to look into possible erosion sites.
121
Section 2
The following table provides a guide to field classification for risk of
run-off and erosion assuming moderately good soil conditions.
Soils
Steep
slopes >7°
Moderate
slopes 3°-7°
Gentle
slopes 2°-3°
Level
ground <2°
Sandy and
light silty
soils
Very high
High
Moderate
Lower
Medium
and
calcareous
soils
High
Moderate
Lower
Lower
Heavy soils
Lower
Lower
Lower
Lower
The criteria given for the risk assessment are guidelines and
professional judgement should be used to upgrade or downgrade a
site, taking into account additional factors such as:
■■
soil structure
■■
organic matter content
■■
valley features which tend to concentrate run-off water
■■
long unbroken slopes
■■
very steep slopes (ie greater than 11°).
Signs of erosion that may be associated with each of the risk classes
are described below:
122
■■
ery High Risk Areas – Rills are likely to form in most years and
V
gullies may develop in very wet periods.
■■
igh Risk Areas – Rills are likely to develop in most seasons during
H
wet periods.
■■
oderate Risk Areas – Sediment may be seen running to roads,
M
ditches or watercourses and rills may develop in some seasons
during very wet periods.
■■
L ower Risk Areas – Sediment rarely seen to move but polluting runoff may enter ditches or watercourses.
Erosion of soil by wind
Any land that suffers from wind erosion of sandy or peaty soils from
dry seed beds should be recorded as N01.
Soils
Steep
slopes >7°
Moderate
slopes 3°–7°
Gentle
slopes 2°–3°
Level
ground <2°
All soils
High
Moderate
Lower
Lower
Section 2
Run-off of water or soil wash
This part of the risk assessment refers to water run-off which is
usually, but not always, discoloured. This run-off may carry very
fine soil particles, soluble pollutants such as plant nutrients and
pesticides or manures to watercourses.
Signs of water run-off that may be associated with each of the risk
classes are described below:
■■
High Risk Areas – Run-off seen in most years during wet periods.
■■
oderate Risk Areas – Run-off seen in some years during wet
M
periods and in most years during very wet periods.
■■
Lower Risk Areas – Run-off seen in some years during very wet periods.
For further guidance see the Defra booklet ‘Controlling Soil Erosion’,
available from the Natural England website.
N01 – Land at risk of generating diffuse pollution
■■
T his includes soils that are vulnerable to erosion damage from
wind or water, often leading to diffuse pollution.
■■
Record this feature for land assessed to have:
n
a moderate, high or very high risk of soil erosion; or
n
moderate to high water run-off/soil wash; or
nwhere
wind erosion effects are evident
(based on the risk assessment process set out in Section 2.8.1. above).
Notes column
No notes are required for this feature.
123
Section 2
2.9 Scrub, bracken and other tall vegetation
Feature
Page
number
Feature
detail
Unit of
measurement
V05 – Scrub of high environmental
value
124
–
ha
V05* – Bracken of high
environmental value
125
–
ha
V06 – Invasive plant species
126
–
ha
V05 – Scrub of high environmental value
■■
ecord the scrub as being of high environmental value only if at
R
least one of the following describes it:
n
montane scrub (above 600 m altitude);
n
common juniper or box scrub;
nscrub
on calcareous soils with three or more of wayfaring-tree,
wild privet, dogwood, buckthorn, hawthorn and spindle;
n
native sea buckthorn scrub (on the east coast);
nscrub
on peat soils with two or more of alder buckthorn, eared
willow, goat willow, grey willow, bay willow, purple willow and
osier;
nscrub
that is recorded as one of the interest features in a Site of
Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) designation;
nscrub
where any UK BAP priority species (such as dormouse), any
animal species protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act,
or any Red Data Book species have been recorded;
nonly
scrub in areas subject to an Uplands (O)ELS application
needs to be marked with brown hatching on the FEP/FER map.
1.There are at least three woody species, with no one species
comprising more than 75% of the cover (except common juniper,
sea buckthorn or box, which can be 100% cover).
2.There is a good age range – a mixture of seedlings, saplings, young
shrubs and mature shrubs.
124
3.Pernicious weeds and invasive species make up less than 5% of the
ground cover.
4. The scrub has a well-developed edge with ungrazed tall herbs.
5. There are many clearings and glades within the scrub.
■■
Section 2
Notes column
The type of scrub and any listed rare species present.
V05* – Bracken of high environmental value
In certain circumstances bracken provides an essential habitat for
a number of rare and uncommon species. This feature is aimed at
identifying suitable conditions for the following UK BAP priority
butterfly species; high brown fritillary, pearl-bordered fritillary and
small pearl-bordered fritillary.
■■
ecord the bracken as being of high environmental value only if at
R
least one of the following describes it:
n
sheltered, south-facing bracken stands, below 300 m;
n
bracken stands with frequent violets, below 300 m;
n
bracken-grassland mosaics containing violets;
nit
is recorded as one of the interest features in a Site of Special
Scientific Interest (SSSI) designation;
nbracken
where any UK BAP butterfly species, any animal
species protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, or
any Red Data Book species have been recorded;
nonly
bracken in areas subject to an Uplands (O)ELS application
needs to be marked with grey hatching on the FEP/FER map.
1.There are frequent violets present in the spring beneath the
bracken canopy.
2.There is less than 15 cm depth of dead bracken litter or standing
trash beneath the bracken canopy.
125
3.There is a network of paths or other openings in the bracken
canopy, providing germination sites for violets.
Section 2
Notes column
Please refer to Section 1.4.4. In addition record any listed rare species
present.
V06 – Invasive plant species
■■
T hese are areas that are dominated by invasive plant species including
rhododendron, Indian (Himalayan) balsam and Japanese knotweed.
■■
ou will need to annotate the FEP Map with the above code
Y
wherever this feature occurs but you do not need to record the
feature in part 2 of the FEP.
Notes column
No notes are required for this feature.
126
2.10 Species
2.10.1 Names of plant species used in this Manual
Section 2
Common English names of plants can sometimes be confusing as
they can mean different plants to different people. The plant names
used in this Manual have a precise meaning. If you are unsure which
species is meant, refer to New Flora of the British Isles by Clive Stace.
2.10.2 General guidance on how to record information on species
We have identified a list of species that are of particular interest to us
and have included them in the list of either features or feature details.
A comprehensive list of species that should be recorded in part 2 of
the form is listed on our website (see Appendix 2 for details).
Only record species other than those listed as a feature if you have
evidence that they are particularly rare or threatened and worthy of
conservation effort (they may be mentioned in the target or theme
statement). Selected ‘uncommon’ species are listed under ‘Feature
detail’. Do not use the ‘uncommon’ categories to record every
possible species.
If a species is not listed as a feature or feature detail, use the
appropriate ‘uncommon’ feature (for example ‘uncommon bird’) to
record its presence, then use the notes column to record the species
(listing both its common and scientific name, for example, ‘Chough
Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax’). For further information see ‘Notes column’
on page 134.
You only need to record species as a feature if there is a recent record
of them on or near the farm (see Table 12).
127
Section 2
Table 12 Species to be recorded, their location and how recently they
were last identified
Species
On or near the farm
Recent record
Plants and fungi
On the farm or
adjacent to the farm
Within last 20 years
Breeding birds and
seed-eating birds
Within 2 km of the farm Within last 5 years
Wintering wildfowl
Mammals
Rare reptiles and
amphibians
On the farm
Invertebrates
Within last 20 years
Table 13 Species features and feature details
Species group
Feature
Birds
SB01 – Barn owl
Feature detail
SB02 – Bullfinch*
SB03 – Corn bunting
SB04 – Curlew
SB05 – Grey partridge
SB06 – Kestrel*
SB07 – Lapwing
SB08 – Linnet*
SB09 – Redshank
SB10 – Reed bunting*
SB11 – Skylark*
SB12 – Snipe
SB13 – Song thrush*
SB14 – Starling*
SB15 – Tree sparrow
SB16 – Turtle dove
SB17 – Yellow wagtail
128
Species group
Feature
Feature detail
SB18 – Yellowhammer
SB19 – Uncommon birds
Black grouse
Brent goose
Section 2
Cirl bunting
Dartford warbler
Dunlin
Golden plover
Merlin
Nightjar
Ring ouzel
Stone curlew
Twite
Woodlark
Fish
SF01 – Uncommon fish
Fungi
SG01 – Uncommon fungi
Date-coloured waxcap
Pink waxcap
Herpetiles
SH01 – Great crested newt
SH02 – Uncommon
herpetiles
Natterjack toad
Sand lizard
Invertebrates
SI01 – Uncommon
invertebrates
Adonis blue
Brown-banded carder
bumblebee
Brown hairstreak
Chalk carpet
Chalkhill blue
Duke of Burgundy
Grizzled skipper
Heath fritillary
High brown fritillary
Hornet robberfly
Large garden bumblebee
Marsh fritillary
129
Species group
Feature
Feature detail
Narrow-bordered bee
hawk-moth
Noble chafer
Section 2
Northern brown argus
Pearl-bordered fritillary
Shrill carder bumblebee
Silver-spotted skipper
Silver-studded blue
Small blue
Southern damselfly
Lower plants
SL01 – Uncommon lower
plants (eg mosses)
Mammals
SM01 – Brown hare*
SM02 – Brown long-eared
bat*
SM03 – Daubenton’s bat*
SM04 – Dormouse
SM05 – Noctule bat
SM06 – Otter
SM07 – Pipistrelle bat*
SM08 – Water vole
SM09 – Uncommon
mammals
Barbastelle bat
Bechstein’s bat
Brandt’s bat
Greater horseshoe bat
Grey long-eared bat
Leisler’s bat
Lesser horseshoe bat
Natterer’s bat
Red squirrel
Serotine bat
Whiskered bat
130
Species group
Feature
Feature detail
Vascular plants SP01 – Juniper
SP02 – Uncommon vascular Broad-leaved cudweed
plants (see also Tables 14
and 15 below)
Section 2
Broad-fruited cornsalad
Early gentian
Cornflower
Perfoliate (Cotswold)
penny-cress
Marsh clubmoss
Pillwort
Purple ramping-fumitory
Red hemp-nettle
Red-tipped cudweed
Shepherd’s-needle
Small-flowered catchfly
Spreading hedge-parsley
2.10.3 How to record plant species data
Plant species should be recorded against the field numbers in which
they are found, so a plant species found in several fields will need to
be recorded several times in part 2 of the FEP.
2.10.4 How to record rare and uncommon arable plants not listed in
Table 13
If you find one or more species listed in Table 14 or three or more
species from Table 15, please record feature SP02 – Uncommon
vascular plants against the most appropriate field(s), noting the
species name(s) in the notes or feature detail column for each parcel.
These plants are most likely to be found in the field margins and we
do not expect all arable fields to be thoroughly field walked to check
for these species. Some of the species listed are difficult to identify
and should be confirmed by an experienced botanist if possible.
131
Section 2
Table 14 Threatened arable plant species1.
Annual knawel
Fingered speedwell
Purple ramping-fumitory
Annual vernal-grass
Four-leaved allseed
Purple viper’s-bugloss
Blue pimpernel
Grass-poly
Red hemp-nettle
Breckland speedwell
Great pignut
Red-tipped cudweed
Bristle oat
Greater yellow-rattle
Rough marsh-mallow
Broad-fruited cornsalad Ground-pine
Rough-fruited buttercup
Broad-leaved cudweed
Henbane
Rye brome
Cat-mint
Interrupted brome
Shepherd’s-needle
Corn buttercup
Jagged chickweed
Slender tare
Corn chamomile
Lamb’s succory
Small alison
Corn cleavers
Large-flowered hempnettle
Small bur-parsley
Corncockle
Lesser quaking-grass
Smaller tree-mallow
Cornflower
Loose silky-bent
Small-flowered catchfly
Cut-leaved germander
Martin’s rampingfumitory
Smooth cat’s-ear
Darnel
Mousetail
Spreading hedge-parsley
Dense silky-bent
Narrow-fruited
cornsalad
Spring speedwell
Downy hemp-nettle
Narrow-leaved cudweed Thorow-wax
False cleavers
Nettle-leaved goosefoot
Upright goosefoot
Few-flowered fumitory
Night-flowering catchfly
Weasel’s-snout
Field brome
Nit-grass
Western rampingfumitory
Field cow-wheat
Perfoliate (Cotswold)
penny-cress
Wild candytuft
Field gromwell
Pheasant’s-eye
Yellow vetchling
Fine-leaved fumitory
Prickly poppy
Species scoring 4 to 9 in Byfield, A.J., & Wilson, P.J. 2005. Important Arable Plant Areas:
Identifying priority sites for arable plant conservation in the UK. Salisbury: Plantlife
International (IAPA); and recently found in fewer than 500 10 km squares nationally
in Preston, C.D. and others. 2002. New Atlas of the British and Irish Flora: An Atlas
of the Vascular Plants of Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
Oxford: Oxford University Press.
1. Species in bold in Table 14 are also listed as feature details but do not need to be
recorded separately where present with other species.
132
Table 15 Locally important/indicator species 2.
Dwarf spurge
Rough poppy
Babington’s poppy*
Field madder
Round-leaved fluellen
Black mustard
Field pepperwort
Sharp-leaved fluellen
Broad-leaved spurge
Field woundwort
Slender parsley-piert
Bugloss
Fig-leaved goosefoot
Small toadflax
Bur chervil
Flixweed
Small-flowered buttercup
Common broomrape
Gold-of-pleasure**
Small-flowered crane’s-bill
Common cudweed
Green field-speedwell
Smooth tare
Common rampingfumitory
Grey field-speedwell
Stinking chamomile
Common stork’s-bill
Hairy buttercup
Tall ramping-fumitory
Corn marigold
Henbit dead-nettle
Treacle-mustard
Corn mint
Knotted hedge-parsley
Venus’s-looking-glass
Corn parsley
Long-stalked crane’s-bill
White mustard
Corn spurrey
Many-seeded goosefoot White ramping-fumitory
Cornfield knotgrass
Maple-leaved goosefoot Wild pansy
Dense-flowered
fumitory
Musk stork’s-bill
Dwarf mallow
Northern dead-nettle
Section 2
Annual mercury
Wild radish
* Papaver dubium ssp. lecoqii.
** G
old-of-pleasure is frequently included in wild bird seed mixtures and plants
likely to be of this origin must be excluded. It is included here as it was formerly
frequent as an arable weed, but now is rare as such and is on the Important
Arable Plant Areas (IAPA) list.
Species scoring 1 to 3 on the IAPA species list or scoring above 3 but occuring in
more than 500 10 km squares nationally.
2. 2.10.5 How to record animal species data
If an animal species is found only on an individual field or in a limited
number of fields on the farm, it should be recorded separately for
each field(s).
However, it is recognised that many of these mobile animal species
will appear in many fields across the farm. If you consider a species
to be widely distributed over the farm, it should be recorded only
133
Section 2
once and assigned to a single field (ideally the field in which the
species has been observed most frequently). This is to enable the
data to be easily extracted from the FEP for analysis and reporting.
However, relatively common and widespread species (marked
with an asterisk in Table 13) should be recorded only in the Farm
Overview and Opportunities form; it is expected that these species
will be addressed by Entry Level Stewardship/Organic Entry Level
Stewardship options, using ‘more of the same’ options in the Higher
Level Stewardship agreement where justified.
Generic information on birds on or near the farm can be obtained from
websites such as Nature on the Map (www.natureonthemap.org.uk)
which contains the Farmland Birds Dataset. Wherever possible,
the FEP should provide additional records that have been collected
specifically from the holding.
Notes column
■■
The source of the species record and the date recorded, for example:
n
my record – 2005;
nMr Thompson (neighbour of applicant who is a keen birder) – 2003;
n
134
Surrey Wildlife Trust – 1999.
■■
I f a species is not listed as a feature or feature detail, use the
appropriate ‘uncommon’ feature (for example ‘uncommon bird’)
to record its presence, then use the notes column to record the
species (listing both its common and scientific name, for example
‘Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax’).
■■
or species that do not fall into the category of ‘relatively common
F
and widespread’ (species without an asterisk in Table 13), information
should be provided on the number of individuals, date seen, field
and type of activity (for example, feeding, roosting or nesting). If
breeding, it is useful to record the number of pairs and, if later in the
breeding season, whether chicks or juvenile birds are present.
2.11 Trees, wood pasture, parkland, woodland and orchards
Page
Feature
number detail
Unit of
measurement
T01 – Ancient trees
135
In-field
boundary
no.
T03 – Wood pasture and
parkland – BAP habitat
140
–
ha
T06 – Mixed woodland
143
AWS
ha
T06* – Plantation on ancient
woodland site
143
AWS
ha
Gill Woodland
T07 – Landmark woodland
144
Clump
ha
T08 – Native semi-natural
woodland
145
AWS
ha
T15 – Traditional orchards
146
–
ha
Section 2
Feature
See also:
F02 – High environmental value boundary (page 49)
H03– Historic routeway (page 109)
H14 – Designed landscape (page 118)
For features of historic interest, either related to woodland use (such
as sawpits, charcoal hearths or woodbanks) or non-woodland use (for
example ridge and furrow, old buildings or historic routeways), see
Section 2.6 Historic environment and landscape.
T01 – Ancient trees
■■
This covers trees that are or look old relative to others of the same species.
■■
T here are a number of possible features that are typical of ancient
trees and that add to their environmental interest. If these features are
present, you can be more confident in identifying a tree as ancient:
n
a large girth for the tree species;
n
major trunk cavities or progressive hollowing;
n
a large quantity of dead wood in the canopy;
135
Section 2
n
naturally forming water pools;
n
decay holes;
n
physical damage to the trunk;
n
bark loss;
n
sap runs;
ncrevices
in the bark, under the branches, or on the root plate
sheltered from direct rainfall;
n
fungal fruiting bodies (for example from heart-rotting species);
n
a high number of interdependent wildlife species;
n
epiphytic plants;
n
an ‘old’ look; and/or
n
high aesthetic interest.
■■
136
In addition, the tree may also:
n
have a pollard form or show indications of past management;
n
have a cultural or historic value; and/or
n
be in a prominent position in the landscape.
■■
T he indicators above tend to be best developed on very old trees,
but young trees that have been physically damaged, for example,
by fire, may also show some of them and start to develop value
as deadwood habitat. See Figure 7 for an illustrated example of a
typical ancient tree.
■■
T his definition also applies to dead trees and non-native species
as they are important habitats for plants and animals and can be
reminders of historic landscapes.
■■
Please note: The terms ‘ancient tree’ and ‘veteran tree’ are
interchangeable for the purposes of the FEP.
Figure 7 Example of a ‘typical’ ancient tree
Section 2
What is a ‘very large girth for the species’?
Table 16 lists the minimum tree trunk girths and diameters that can
be counted as a ‘very large girth for the species’ for a selection of tree
species.
137
Section 2
Table 16 Minimum tree girths and diameters to be counted as ‘very large’
Tree girth
(minimum)1
Diameter at breast
height (dbh)2 (minimum)
Species
80 cm
30 cm
Holly
133 cm
50 cm
Rowan
160 cm
60 cm
Birch spp, hawthorn, field maple
200 cm
75 cm
Alder, white/crack willow
213 cm
80 cm
Goat willow, hornbeam,
holm oak
266 cm
100 cm
Scots pine
320 cm
120 cm
Ash, small-leaved lime,
large-leaved lime, beech
373 cm
140 cm
Elm, sycamore
400 cm
150 cm
Turkey oak, sessile oak,
pedunculate oak, yew,
sweet chestnut
The data in the table above are based on research carried out for Natural England
to help understand the relationship between the size of a tree and its ancient
status. The data were collected as dbh but we have converted it to girth to help
non-specialists.
1. Diameter at breast height is the measurement commonly used by foresters to
calculate timber volumes and is most easily recorded with a special girth tape that
is calibrated to show dbh.
2. The table lists minimum trunk sizes to fulfil the category of ‘truly
ancient’ based on records collated by Mitchell (1974) taken from the
Hedgerow Survey Handbook (Defra 2007).
The girth or diameter of a tree trunk is normally measured at 1.3 m
above the ground and is known as breast height. Do not rely on girth
measurements alone, but always make an assessment of whether the
tree looks old and whether the other characteristics of ancient trees are
present or not.
138
here several trees occur within a single boundary or field, all with the
W
same condition assessment, they should be recorded as a single entry
in the Data Sheet. If the trees have differing condition assessments,
then they should be entered as separate rows in the Data Sheet.
■■
Individual trees need only be mapped according to the FER
requirements; you do not need to do any additional mapping of trees
for the FEP.
■■
I f there are both in-field and boundary trees, they should be entered
as two different features, separated by the different feature details.
They should both be located using a parcel number.
■■
I f the ancient trees are remnants of wood pasture or parkland, they
should be recorded as T03 – Wood pasture and parkland – BAP
habitat in the FEP Data Sheet rather than as T01 – Ancient trees.
■■
ncient trees within woods do not need to be recorded in the
A
FEP Data Sheet, but their presence should be noted in the notes
column for the relevant woodland feature.
Section 2
■■
Feature detail
In-field: describes isolated individual trees or small groups of trees
within the field.
Boundary: is used for trees on a field boundary. It does not include
trees on the boundary of a woodland.
1.The tree is protected from cultivation, crop growing, mechanical
compaction and ditching or the application of pesticides or
herbicides to a width of 15 times the dbh of the trunk.
2.The tree has no signs of livestock damage (in the last five years),
including stock rubbing against the tree, bark stripping and soil
compaction, to a width of 15 times the dbh of the trunk.
3.There are no recent (ie in last five years) large wounds (more than
20 cm wide or long) resulting from the severance of limbs, unless
this was required for health and safety reasons.
Notes column
Please refer to Section 1.4.4. In addition, the tree species and any
signs of past management, such as pollarding, should be recorded.
139
Section 2
T03 – Wood pasture and parkland – BAP habitat
■■
ood pasture is a vegetation structure rather than a particular
W
plant community.
■■
T ypically, this structure consists of large, open-grown or high
forest trees (often pollards) at various densities, in a matrix of
grazed grassland, heathland and/or woodland floras.
■■
This feature includes:
nwood
pasture and parkland derived from medieval forests and
embankments, wooded commons, parks and pastures with
trees; and
nland
where the land use has been converted to arable, forestry
or amenity, but where ancient trees are still present.
■■
any wood pasture sites may be part of a historic designed
M
landscape. If there is evidence of this from old maps or estate
records, also record here H14 – Designed landscape (see page 118).
■■
This feature does not include:
nupland,
sheep-grazed, closed-canopy woodland, which should
be recorded as a type of woodland; or
nparklands
with 19th-century or later origins that do not contain
trees derived from an earlier landscape, which should be
recorded as H14 – Designed landscape (see page 118).
Collections of in-field trees that are remnant wood pasture should be
recorded as wood pasture rather than in-field trees. If you record T03,
you do not need to record T01 – Ancient trees.
1.Trees should have a wide age range. There should be some young
trees and saplings present.
2.The balance between the trees, scrub and grassland should be
typical of wood pasture in the local area.
3.There should be minimal bare earth and no evidence of poaching
by livestock.
140
4.Native species should be dominant. Non-native and invasive
species should account for less than 10% of the vegetation cover.
5.Standing and fallen dead trees of over 20 cm dbh should be present.
Section 2
Notes column
Woodland
General information on identifying woodland features
■■
T o decide which woodland type is present on the holding, you
need to identify the feature description that the woodland most
closely fits. Please be as specific as possible. Where appropriate
identify any feature details.
■■
T he following characteristics can help to identify plantations:
(note: BAP woodlands can be plantation woodlands)
ntrees
of a single species and the same age are the dominant
component;
nmixed
n
species show a consistent planting pattern across the site;
original planting lines, or remains of planting lines, can be seen.
■■
oodland is defined as vegetation dominated by trees more
W
than 5 m high when mature, which forms a distinct, although
sometimes open, canopy. This includes young or newly planted
woodland.
■■
T here is no minimum size for areas of trees that have the
definite characteristics and feel of a woodland and are managed
as woodland. These areas should be recorded in the FEP as
woodland.
■■
minimum size of 0.1 ha may be applied where the woodland
A
characteristics are less certain, for example, where groups of trees
have a grass understorey or where they are part of an agricultural
field.
■■
oodlands often contain historic environment or landscape
W
features, either related to woodland use, such as sawpits, charcoal
hearths and woodbanks, or to non-woodland use, for example,
ridge and furrow, old buildings and historic routeways (see page
102). These should always be recorded on the FEP Data Sheet.
141
Section 2
Feature detail
Ancient woodland site: A site where the land has been woodland
continuously since accurate mapping began around the 1600s.
Natural England’s Ancient Woodland Inventory, old maps and estate
records can provide evidence for this. Also, ancient woodlands of
over 2 ha in size will be shown on the Environmental Information
Map. However, this information is not always available and therefore
the site may count as ancient woodland if the woodland shows two
or more of the following:
■■
sinuous, irregular boundaries that may be along parish boundaries;
■■
i nternal and external ditches or boundary banks with old coppice
stools or pollards;
■■
ancient trees within the woodland; and
■■
some of the indicator species in Table 17 in the ground flora.
Table 17 Indicator species in ancient woodland ground flora
Barren strawberry
Pignut
Wood anemone
Bluebell
Primrose
Wood-sorrel
Common cow-wheat
Ramsons
Wood speedwell
Dog’s mercury
Sanicle
Wood spurge
Early dog-violet
Sweet woodruff
Yellow pimpernel
Herb-Paris
Tutsan
Clump: A small landmark woodland with rounded edges.
Gill woodland: Upland woodland in steep valleys, usually on or
adjacent to moorland.
Shelterbelt: A woodland planted for shelter, usually with straight
edges and often elongated.
Notes column
Please refer to Section 1.4.4 and the following information should be
recorded:
142
■■
dominant tree species;
■■
regenerating tree or shrub species;
■■
round flora species – any specialist woodland plants present (see
g
Table 17)
t he average age class throughout the wood – establishment (E),
semi-mature (S/M), mature (M) or ancient (A);
■■
whether the woodland is accessed by livestock;
■■
past management – whether any trees are coppiced or pollarded; and
■■
t hreats – damage by pests, invasion by undesirable species,
overgrazing or the presence of non-native species.
Section 2
■■
T06 – Mixed woodland
■■
Mixed woodland is woodland with native and non-native species.
■■
T his feature includes woodlands established by planting and by
natural regeneration.
Feature detail
Ancient woodland site
Gill woodland
1. This should be an area of trees with complete canopy cover.
2.The woodland must be free from damage (in the last five years) by
stock or wild mammals.
3.There should be no evidence of machinery storage, signage or
other inappropriate management.
Notes column
Please refer to the ‘Notes column’ heading under the Woodland
T06* – Plantation on ancient woodland site (PAWS)
■■
lantations on ancient woodland sites. Woods that are believed
P
to be ancient (on inventory, or showing signs of ancient origin)
but where the current tree crop is obviously planted, usually of
conifers or non-native broadleaves, sometimes in mixtures with
native trees. Less often the plantations are of native broadleaves.
143
Feature detail
Gill woodland
Section 2
2.There should be some of the indicator species in Table 17 in the
ground flora.
Notes column
T07 – Landmark woodland
■■
T his is a designed and planted woodland, visually prominent in the
landscape (often located on promontories or hillsides).
■■
I t includes copses, shelterbelts and shaped woodland features
Feature detail
Clump
Shelterbelt
2.The woodland must be free from damage (in the last five years) by
stock or wild mammals.
Notes column
144
T08 – Native semi-natural woodland
S tands of native trees that do not obviously originate from planting
should be classified as native semi-natural woodland.
■■
oodland with semi-natural characteristics as well as planted
W
trees should be classified as semi-natural if the planted trees
account for less than 20% of the canopy composition, but as
plantation if more than 20% is planted.
■■
here non-native species comprise more than 20% of the canopy,
W
the woodland should be recorded as either non-native plantation
or mixed woodland (T06).
Section 2
■■
Feature detail
Gill woodland
1.Native species are dominant. Non-native and invasive species
account for less than 10% of the vegetation cover.
2. A diverse age and height structure.
3.Free from damage (in the last five years) from stock or wild
mammals – there should be evidence of tree regeneration such as
seedlings, saplings and young trees.
4.Standing and fallen dead trees of over 20 centimetres diameter are
present.
5.The area is protected from damage by agricultural and other
adjacent operations.
Notes column
145
T15 – Traditional orchards
T raditional orchards are defined as five or more trees, where the
distance between the crown edges is 20 m or less.
■■
T hey are characterised by the presence of either standard or
half-standard fruit trees, grown on vigorous rootstocks and
planted at low densities (usually less than 150 trees per hectare) on
permanent grassland.
■■
ature trees should have 90% of their foliage above 1.5 m, with
M
trunks that are either at least 1 m in circumference at the base or
form their first major fork at least 1.5 m above ground level.
Section 2
■■
■■
T he presence of old and former orchards may be indicated by
old field names, evidence from current and old maps, and the
HER consultation. Please note that the original Ordnance Survey
depiction for hopyards was the same as that for orchards.
■■
here less than a quarter of the original tree stations (planting
W
positions) are occupied by mature trees, or the crowns are more
than 20 m apart, record only the grassland type (see page 55 for
grassland features) and add in the notes column that the field is
the site of a remnant traditional orchard.
■■
T he grassland under the orchards may also fall under one of the
grassland feature definitions (see page 55). Record this in addition
if this is the case.
1. There should be between 50 and 150 fruit or nut trees per hectare.
2.There should be an absence of scrub growing between or up the trees.
3.At least 80% of the trees should be free from damage caused by
browsing, bark stripping or rubbing on non-adjusted ties.
4.The average height of the grass sward should be between 5 cm and
30 cm.
5.There should be less than 5% cover of bare ground, injurious
weeds or scrub.
146
Notes column
Please refer to Section 1.4.4. In addition, the following can be
recorded:
Density – spacing between rows and within rows.
■■
T ree form – for example, standard or half-standard and the height
of the trees.
■■
rassland management regime – if the orchard is grazed, include
G
the type of animal being used, the density and timing of grazing
and the source of water for stock. If the sward is cut, include the
timing and number of cuts, whether there is any aftermath grazing
and whether cuttings are removed.
■■
T he number of surviving trees and their approximate age, and the
number of young trees.
■■
ondition – the general state of health of the trees, ie whether they
C
are upright, the amount of dead wood, whether they have been
under- or over-pruned in the recent past, any disease present and
the likelihood of long-term survival.
■■
S pecies/varieties of trees – details on varieties may be obtained
either from the owner, local experts or previous planting records
or through identification.
■■
T hreats – damage by pests, invasion of undesirable species,
overgrazing or the presence of non-native species.
■■
Conservation value – the presence of any BAP species or mistletoe.
Section 2
■■
147
Section 2
2.12 Wetland
Feature
Page
Feature
number detail
Unit of
measurement
W01 – Aquifer-fed, naturally
fluctuating water bodies – BAP
habitat
149
–
ha
W02 – Chalk rivers – BAP habitat
149
–
m
W03 – Eutrophic standing waters –
BAP habitat
150
–
ha
W04 – Fens – BAP habitat
150
–
ha
W05 – Lowland raised bog – BAP
habitat
153
–
ha
W06 – Mesotrophic lakes – BAP
habitat
153
–
ha
W07 – Ponds
154
Pond of
high value
m2
W08 – Reedbeds – BAP habitat
156
–
ha
See also:
C01 – Coastal salt marsh – BAP habitat (page 38)
C06 – Mudflats – BAP habitat (page 44)
C07 – Saline lagoons – BAP habitat (page 44)
F02 – High environmental value boundary – wet ditch (page 49)
G07 – Purple moor-grass and rush pastures – BAP habitat (page 66)
G12 – Habitat for breeding waders – lowland (page 81)
G13 – Habitat for wintering waders and wildfowl (page 81)
G14 – Habitat for breeding waders – upland (page 82)
G15 – Coastal and flood plain grazing marsh – BAP habitat (page 83)
H06 – Historic water meadow (page 111)
H12 – Built water feature (page 116)
M06 – Blanket bog – BAP habitat (page 99)
M08 – Upland flushes, fens and swamps – BAP habitat (page 100)
Several species of interest are also associated with wetland habitats
(see page 127).
148
W01 – Aquifer-fed, naturally fluctuating water bodies – BAP habitat
This only applies to fluctuating meres in Norfolk.
■■
ater depth varies from 6 m in some cases to complete drying out
W
for a period of time.
Section 2
■■
1.Concentric zones of vegetation in these lakes are strikingly
obvious, especially when they are in their dry phase. Water
chickweed and common nettle are typical of the damp centre of
Breckland mere basins, with a broad band of reed canary-grass at a
slightly higher level.
2. Pondweeds and stoneworts are present during wet phases.
Notes column
W02 – Chalk rivers – BAP habitat
Other rivers and streams (BAP habitat) must be marked on the FEP/FER
map and their environmental importance recorded in the Farm Overview
and Opportunities form (see www.ukbap.org.uk for more information on
BAP rivers).
■■
ll chalk rivers are fed from groundwater aquifers, producing clear
A
waters and a generally stable flow and temperature regime. These
are conditions that support a rich diversity of invertebrate life and
important game fisheries.
■■
halk rivers have a characteristic plant community, often dominated
C
in mid-channel by river water-crowfoot and water-starworts and
along the edges by watercress and lesser water-parsnip.
■■
ost chalk rivers have ‘winterbourne’ stretches in their headwaters.
M
These often run dry, or partially dry, in late summer because of
the lack of rainfall recharging the aquifer. A characteristic range of
invertebrates and plants has adapted to these conditions.
If the site is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), use the latest condition
assessment from Natural England, otherwise leave the box blank.
149
Notes column
Section 2
W03 – Eutrophic standing waters – BAP habitat
■■
T hese are standing waters with an area greater than 1 ha and
plentiful plant nutrients.
■■
T here is an abundant growth of submerged and floating leaved
plants.
1. A marginal fringe of emergent vegetation is present.
2. A range of submerged and floating leaved plants is present.
3.Clear water is dominated by plants (and the water is not turbid or green).
4.The fish community comprises a range of species with no or low
numbers of bottom-feeding fish (such as carp or bream).
Notes column
W04 – Fens – BAP habitat
Fen hydrology
■■
T he soil under fens is waterlogged, with the water table close to or
above the surface for most of the year.
■■
T hey are found on flood plains, on the fringes of open water, in
valleys, in basin-like depressions, and also around springs and
flushes.
■■
T hey differ from blanket bogs (M06) and lowland raised bogs
(W05) in that they are fed by ground water and surface water in
addition to direct rainfall.
Fen vegetation
■■
150
ens encompass a wide range of wetland plant communities on
F
both peat and mineral soils, but typically you should find some of
the following species:
Table 18 Indicator species in fens
Marsh pennywort
Bog-mosses (Sphagnum)
Marsh valerian
Branched bur-reed
Meadowsweet
Cottongrass
Purple-loosestrife
Common butterwort
Ragged robin
Common skullcap
Reed canary-grass
Common reed
Reedmace
Common valerian
Reed sweet-grass
Gypsywort
Sedges
Hemp-agrimony
Water forget-me-not
Lesser spearwort
Water horsetail
Marsh arrowgrass
Water mint
Marsh/fen bedstraw
Wild angelica
Marsh cinquefoil
Yellow flag
Marsh-marigold
Yellow loosestrife
■■
T he vegetation of a fen is largely determined by the site’s position
in the landscape, the water supply mechanism (for example
groundwater, flooding from rivers/streams or surface run-off) and
water chemistry.
■■
lood plain fens tend to be relatively nutrient-rich and are
F
dominated by tall sedges, grasses and other tall herbs such as
meadowsweet, yellow iris and common valerian. These fens are
found throughout the country with particularly important areas in
Norfolk and Suffolk.
■■
utside flood plains, on fens fed by nutrient-poor water or overlying
O
acid substrates, the vegetation may be shorter and is more likely
to be dominated by bog-mosses and bottle sedge and/or other
sedges. On more base-enriched sites, very species-rich vegetation
may develop, with high cover of brown mosses, small sedges and
species such as common butterwort, marsh valerian and marsh
arrowgrass. These fen types tend to be much less common. They
are concentrated in the north and west of the country, but Norfolk,
Dorset and the New Forest, Devon and Cornwall, the White Peak
and the Surrey Heaths are also important for them.
Section 2
Bogbean
151
Section 2
■■
en often occurs in association with other semi-natural habitats,
F
especially lowland raised bog, wet woodland, wet grassland
(including purple moor-grass and rush pasture), lowland heath
and open water. These areas of fen should always be recorded
separately. It can be difficult to separate fen vegetation from G07
– Purple moor-grass and rush pastures – BAP habitat (see table 5 in
Key 2b for more information).
■■
ens may be managed by regular grazing or cutting. However,
F
some fens, for example very wet basin fens, may not require any
management other than sporadic cutting or grazing.
■■
en vegetation above 250 m to 300 m and above the line of enclosure
F
should be recorded as M08 – Upland flushes, fens and swamps – BAP
habitat (see page 100).
■■
Areas of grassland dominated by rushes should not be recorded as fen.
■■
egetation with cover of over 60% common reed should be
V
recorded as W08 – Reedbeds – BAP habitat (see page 156).
1.The water level and its management should result in either surface
water, or the ground being wet enough for a 6-inch nail to be easily
pushed in throughout the year.
2.Cover of undesirable species (common nettle, docks, creeping/
spear thistles, common ragwort and Indian (Himalayan) balsam)
should be less than 10%.
3. Cover of scrub should be less than 10%.
4. Cover of bare ground should be less than 10%.
5.No more than 25% of the fen area should have a continuous cover
of litter (ie dead vegetation).
Notes column
152
W05 – Lowland raised bog – BAP habitat
T his rare habitat type is limited to areas where there are already
acid peat deposits, mostly in the north-west.
■■
I t comprises peatland vegetation dominated by bog-mosses
(Sphagnum), cottongrasses and heathers, which develops mainly
in cool, humid lowland areas such as the heads of estuaries, river
flood plains and depressions where drainage is impeded.
■■
T he bog is usually higher than the surrounding land so that it only
receives water as rainfall.
■■
See also M06 – Blanket bog – BAP habitat (page 99).
Section 2
■■
1.There is no artificial drainage designed to dry out the bog, for
example, a surrounding ditch.
2.Cover of undesirable species (docks, thistles and ragworts) should
be less than 5%.
3. Cover of scrub should be less than 10%.
4.In the north and west, cover of bog-mosses (Sphagnum) should
be between 30% and 60%. In the east it may be lower, but the
vegetation should be predominantly cottongrasses with some
bog-mosses.
5. Heathers and cottongrasses should be at least frequent.
Notes column
W06 – Mesotrophic lakes – BAP habitat
■■
T hese are lakes larger than 1 ha with relatively low levels of plant
nutrients such as inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus.
■■
T hey have a high diversity of floating, submerged and marginal
aquatic plants.
153
If the site is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), use the latest
condition assessment from Natural England.
1. A marginal fringe of emergent vegetation is present.
Section 2
2.A range of submerged and floating leaved plants is present
(including broad-leaved pondweeds).
3.Clear water is dominated by plants (and the water is not turbid or
green).
4.The fish community comprises a range of species with no or low
numbers of bottom-feeding fish (such as carp or bream).
Notes column
W07 – Ponds – BAP habitat
■■
T his covers ponds or other water bodies up to 1 ha in size (based
on normal maximum winter water levels).
■■
I t includes sunny or shaded and temporary or permanent ponds
at any stage of succession, from newly created ponds to ones that
are completely overgrown.
■■
I t also includes scrapes, which are shallow temporary ponds
designed to benefit wading birds.
General information
154
■■
S ome ponds may also be historic features (see the feature details
for ponds and moats under H01 – Above-ground historic feature
on page 106 and H12 – Built water feature on page 116), in which
case they should be recorded as both W07 and either H01 or H12.
■■
I f the pond is over 1 ha in size it may fall under the definition of
one of the other water body features: W03 – Eutrophic standing
waters – BAP habitat (page 150), W06 – Mesotrophic lakes – BAP
habitat (page 153) or W08 – Reedbeds – BAP habitat (page 156).
Feature detail
Ponds of high value: These include sunny, shaded, permanent or
temporary ponds that:
s upport ‘high-value species’ that are dependent on the pond –
these include BAP species and species that have been recognised
as being of national or local significance, for example, the
great crested newt. Record the species as a separate feature if
appropriate (see species features on page 127) or in the notes
column; and/or
■■
c ontain significant collections of species (for example, 15 or more
species of aquatic or emergent plants or collections of dragonflies
of regional or local significance); and/or
■■
re of good water quality and contain a range of features
a
characteristic of that pond type.
Section 2
■■
Any such ponds should be marked with an asterisk next to the FEP
code on the FEP/FER Map.
1. The pond should be set within a semi-natural habitat.
2.It should be within 500 m of another wetland feature (such as a
pond, river or fen).
3.There should be no obvious sign of pollution or of inappropriate
quality of the water supply.
4.There should be an absence of damaging non-native plant or
animal species. (Damaging plants include water fern, Australian
swamp stonecrop, parrot’s feather, floating pennywort and
Japanese knotweed (on the bank). Damaging animals include nonnative crayfish, reptiles and amphibians.)
5.The pond should not be stocked with fish or support damaging
numbers of wildfowl.
6. It should experience only natural fluctuations in water levels.
Notes column
Please refer to Section 1.4.4. Additionally, if a pond no longer holds
water due to failure of the lining, for example, cracked clay liners,
then details of any potential for habitat restoration should be
recorded in the Notes column.
155
Section 2
W08 – Reedbeds – BAP habitat
■■
Reedbeds are wetlands dominated by stands of common reed.
■■
The water table is at or above ground level for most of the year.
■■
T hey tend to incorporate areas of open water and ditches, and
small areas of wet grassland and wet woodland may be associated
with them.
1. Cover of scrub within the reedbed should be less than 10%.
2. The vegetation should include at least 60% reeds.
3.Surface water is present over at least part of the reedbed for most
of the year.
4.Cover of undesirable species (common nettle, docks, creeping/
spear thistles, common ragwort and Indian (Himalayan) balsam)
should be less than 10%.
Notes column
156
Index of features
Feature
name
Feature
code
Page
number
Arable
Arable
A01
35
Coastal
Coastal salt marsh – BAP habitat
C01
38
Coastal sand dunes – BAP habitat
C02
40
Coastal vegetated shingle – BAP
habitat
C03
42
Littoral and sublittoral chalk – BAP
habitat
C04
43
Maritime cliffs and slopes – BAP
habitat
C05
43
Mudflats – BAP habitat
C06
44
Saline lagoons – BAP habitat
C07
44
Field
boundaries
High environmental value boundary
F02
49
Grassland
Semi-improved grassland
G02
60
Lowland calcareous grassland – BAP
habitat
G04
62
Lowland dry acid grassland – BAP
habitat
G05
63
Lowland meadows – BAP habitat
G06
65
Purple moor-grass and rush pastures G07
– BAP habitat
66
Upland calcareous grassland – BAP
habitat
G08
67
Upland hay meadows – BAP habitat
G09
68
Calaminarian grassland
G10
69
Habitat for invertebrates
G11
80
Habitat for breeding waders –
lowland
G12
81
Habitat for wintering waders and
wildfowl
G13
81
Habitat for breeding waders – upland
G14
82
Coastal and flood plain grazing
marsh – BAP habitat
G15
83
Index
Group
157
Index
158
Heathland and Grass moorland and rough grazing
moorland
M01
94
Fragmented heath
M02
95
Lowland heath – BAP habitat
M03
95
Upland heath – BAP habitat
M04
97
Mountain heath – BAP habitat
M05
98
Blanket bog – BAP habitat
M06
99
Upland cliffs and screes
M07
99
Upland flushes, fens and swamps –
BAP habitat
M08
100
Historic
Above-ground historic feature
environment
and landscape
H01
106
Below-ground historic feature
H02
108
Historic routeway
H03
109
Large-scale archaeological feature
H04
109
Relict boundary of historic
importance
H05
110
Historic water meadow
H06
111
Building – farm – traditional and
roofed
H07
112
Building – military
H08
113
Building – industrial
H09
114
Building – other roofed building of
historic importance
H10
115
Structure – other (of historic or
landscape interest)
H11
115
Built water feature
H12
116
Fence/railing of historic or landscape H13
importance
117
Designed landscape
H14
118
Parkland structure
H15
119
Limestone
pavement
Limestone pavement – BAP habitat
L01
120
Natural
resource
protection
Land at risk of generating diffuse
pollution
N01
123
Scrub, bracken Scrub of high environmental value
and other tall
vegetation
Species
Wetland
124
Bracken of high environmental value V05*
125
Invasive plant species
V06
126
Birds
SB01–19
128
Fish
SF01
129
Fungi
SG01
129
Herpetiles
SH01–02 129
Invertebrates
SI01
129
Lower plants (eg mosses)
SL01
130
Mammals
SM01–
09
130
Vascular plants
SP01–02 131
Ancient trees
T01
135
Wood pasture and parkland – BAP
habitat
T03
140
Mixed woodland
T06
143
Plantation on ancient woodland site
T06*
143
Landmark woodland
T07
144
Native semi-natural woodland
T08
145
Traditional orchards
T15
146
Aquifer-fed, naturally fluctuating
water bodies – BAP habitat
W01
149
Chalk rivers – BAP habitat
W02
149
Eutrophic standing waters – BAP
habitat
W03
150
Fens – BAP habitat
W04
150
Lowland raised bog – BAP habitat
W05
153
Mesotrophic lakes – BAP habitat
W06
153
Ponds – BAP habitat
W07
154
Reedbeds – BAP habitat
W08
156
Index
Trees, wood
pasture,
parkland,
woodland and
orchards
V05
159
Appendix 1
Natural England contact details
Natural England offices are open from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm Monday
to Friday, excluding bank holidays. Please have your application or
agreement details to hand when contacting us.
Appendix 1
Please note that all requests for OELS and combined OELS/OHLS
application packs should be directed to the Crewe office (North
West region).
160
East of England for ELS and HLS
Bedfordshire
Cambridgeshire
Essex
Hertfordshire
Norfolk
Suffolk
Natural England
Incentive Schemes Services
PO Box 247,
Cambridge CB2 2WW
Tel: 0300 060 1114
Fax: 0300 060 1124
Email:
[email protected]
East Midlands for ELS and HLS
Derbyshire
Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
Northamptonshire
Nottinghamshire
Rutland
Natural England
PO Box 8296,
Nottingham NG8 3WZ
Tel: 0300 060 1111
Fax: 0300 060 1121
Email:
[email protected]
North East for ELS and HLS
Durham
Northumberland
Tyne and Wear
Former county of Cleveland
Natural England
PO Box 578,
Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 8WW
Tel: 0300 060 1117
Fax: 0300 060 1127
Email:
[email protected]
Natural England
PO Box 380,
Crewe CW1 6YH
Tel: 0300 060 1113
Fax: 0300 060 1123
Email:
[email protected]
South East for ELS and HLS
Berkshire
Buckinghamshire
East Sussex
West Sussex
Greater London
Hampshire
Isle of Wight
Kent
Surrey
Oxfordshire
Natural England
PO Box 2423,
Reading RG1 6WY
Tel: 0300 060 1112
Fax: 0300 060 1122
Email:
[email protected]
South West for ELS and HLS
Cornwall
Devon
Dorset
Gloucestershire
Somerset
Wiltshire
Former county of Avon
The Scilly Isles
Natural England
PO Box 277,
Bristol BS10 6WW
Tel: 0300 060 1118
Fax: 0300 060 1128
Email:
[email protected]
West Midlands for ELS and HLS
Herefordshire
Shropshire
Staffordshire
Warwickshire
West Midlands
Worcestershire
Natural England
PO Box 530,
Worcester WR5 2WZ
Tel: 0300 060 1115
Fax: 0300 060 1125
Email:
[email protected]
Appendix 1
North West for ELS, HLS and all
OELS and OELS/OHLS
Cheshire
Cumbria
Greater Manchester
Lancashire
Merseyside
161
Yorkshire and Humber for
ELS and HLS
East Riding of Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
North Lincolnshire
North Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
Natural England
PO Box 213,
Leeds LS16 5WN
Tel: 0300 060 1116
Fax: 0300 060 1126
Email:
[email protected]
Appendix 1
RPA’s Customer Service Centre
contact details
Customer Service Centre
Rural Payments Agency
PO Box 1058
Newcastle
NE99 4YQ
Tel: 0845 603 7777
Email: [email protected]
162
Appendix 2
Useful web addresses
A list of NDPBs and other public bodies can be found at:
www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/work/codes/ndpbs.aspx
Environmental Stewardship forms can be found at:
www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/farming/funding/es/forms/
default.aspx
Guidance on e-FEP:
www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/farming/funding/es/hls/
efepguidance.aspx
HLS targeting and theme statements:
www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/farming/funding/es/hls/
targeting/default.aspx
Appendix 2
Advice about protected areas, including SSSIs and BAP priority
habitats is available at:
www.natureonthemap.org.uk
Advice about the conservation of European protected species is
available at:
www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/regulation/wildlife/species/
default.aspx
Species list for FEP:
www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/esf007specieslist_tcm6-6488.pdf
Distribution of species and habitats:
www.nfbr.org.uk
UK BAP priority habitat inventories, lists of BAP priority habitats and
species, local BAP plans:
www.ukbap.org.uk
Species and sites records from national and local sources:
www.searchnbn.net
163
National Character Areas:
www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/landscape/englands/character/
areas/default.aspx
Landscape character assessment:
www.ccnetwork.org.uk
Further information on public rights of way, including the duties of
landowners and occupiers of land, can be found at:
www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/enjoying/places/rightsofway/
default.aspx
To find the contact details of your local Historic Environment Record see:
www.heritagegateway.org.uk/gateway/chr/default.aspx
ALGAO:
www.algao.org.uk/Cttees/Countryside/ES-HLS.htm
Appendix 2
Heritage properties designated under the Inheritance Act:
www.hmrc.gov.uk/heritage
1st edition Ordnance Survey maps:
Various websites, including www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk
Geographic information on environmental schemes and designations:
www.magic.gov.uk
Resource protection, flood management, water quality, indicative
flood plain map:
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
164
Appendix 3
List of acronyms and abbreviations
AOD
Above Ordnance Datum
ALGAO Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers
AWS
BAP Biodiversity Action Plan
CRoW Act Countryside and Rights of Way Act
diameter at breast height
Defra Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
ELS Entry Level Stewardship
ES Environmental Stewardship
ESA Environmentally Sensitive Area
FACTS Fertiliser Advisers Certification and Training Scheme
FEP Farm Environment Plan
FER Farm Environment Record
GPS
Global Positioning System
GIS Geographic Information System
HER Historic Environment Record
HLC Historic Landscape Character
HLS Higher Level Stewardship
IAPA
Important Arable Plant Areas
ISS Incentive Scheme Services
JCA
Joint Character Area
LB
Listed Building
NCA National Character Area
NDPB Non-Departmental Public Body
OELS Organic Entry Level Stewardship
OS
Ordnance Survey
PAWS
Plantation on Ancient Woodland Site
Appendix 3
dbh
165
Public Right of Way
RB
Registered Battlefield
RLR Rural Land Register
RPG
Registered Park or Garden
SAC Special Area of Conservation
SDA Severely Disadvantaged Area
SM
Scheduled Monument
SMP
Shoreline Management Plan
SPA
Special Protection Area
SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest
WHS
World Heritage Site
Appendix 3
PRoW 166
Many of the Environmental Stewardship options will reduce
the Greenhouse Gas emissions associated with your farming
activities, for instance, by reducing the use of inorganic
fertilisers and increasing carbon stores in soils. You can estimate
the carbon saved from Environmental Stewardship options on
your farm by logging on to the CLA’s Carbon Accounting for
Land Managers (CALM) tool at www.cla.org.uk/calm. Natural
England and the CLA have been working together to build in a
specific Environmental Stewardship element to CALM enabling
you to assess the impact of your Environmental Stewardship
option choices on your farm’s carbon footprint.
Our promise to you
In Natural England, we do our best to provide you with the highest
possible standard of service. We promise to treat you fairly, courteously
and sensitively and we aim to achieve the following standards:
■■
We will answer calls promptly, normally within 30 seconds.
■■
Our staff will give their name on answering your call.
■■
e will only transfer your call when it is certain that the recipient
W
is the best person to deal with your enquiry.
■■
We will respond to voicemail messages within 2 working days.
■■
ur voicemail greetings will include details of when we will be able
O
to pick up messages. If this is longer than two working days they
will also include details of an alternative contact.
■■
L etters and emails will be answered within 10 working days of
receipt. Where we are unable to provide a final response, we
will provide a progress report instead. This will explain who is
dealing with your enquiry, what steps are being taken to obtain the
information and when you can expect a full reply.
■■
orrespondence will include the name and contact details of the
C
person dealing with the matter.
■■
e will respond to all requests under the Freedom of Information
W
Act and Environmental Information Regulations within the
statutory deadline of 20 working days.
Feedback
We welcome and value your comments, complaints and suggestions
about how we provide our service. We would like to hear from you if:
■■
you feel that you have received a good service from us;
■■
you would like to suggest ways in which we can improve our service;
■■
ou are unhappy about the way a member of staff helped you or
y
with the level of service you have received; and
■■
ou feel that you have been treated unfairly, insensitively, or have
y
been discriminated against.
In the first instance, please contact the person who has provided you
with the service. If you need to confirm contact details or do not have
a contact name, please telephone 0845 600 3078, or email enquiries@
naturalengland.org.uk
www.naturalengland.org.uk/about_us/whatwedo/ourpromise.aspx
Front cover photograph:
Marbled white butterfly on floristically enhanced grass margin.
© Natural England/Richard Belding
The European Agricultural Fund for Rural
Development: Europe investing in rural areas
Natural England is here to
conserve and enhance the
natural environment, for its
intrinsic value, the wellbeing
and enjoyment of people and
the economic prosperity that
it brings.
© Natural England 2010
ISBN 978-1-84754-211-3
Catalogue Code: NE264
Natural England publications are
available as accessible pdfs from:
www.naturalengland.org.uk/
publications
Should an alternative format of
this publication be required,
please contact our enquiries line
for more information:
0845 600 3078 or email:
[email protected]
Printed on Defra Silk comprising
75% recycled fibre.
www.naturalengland.org.uk
Brown hare use fallow areas and grass margins for laying up.

Higher Level Stewardship Farm Environment Plan

Transcription

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