LITTLE DON ACID HEATH (INDZ/ES03) - Management Plan

Click here to see general ecological data for the site

Click here to see species lists for this site

 

Aims and Objectives

Ecological

  • Control and removal of introduced Alder
  • Wet heathland restoration to benefit invertebrates
  • Pond restoration and enhancement (boardwalk/duckboards to facilitate pond-watching)
  • Maintenance of flower rich rides on edges of site by mowing
  • Some scrub and tree management (thinning) on woodland surrounding open heathland area (scalloping to enhance ecotone) including monitoring and control or removal of rhododendron.

Recreational

  • Footpath maintenance - is part of the route of the Little Don Walk.

Community and educational

  • Part of Little Don Walk. Maintenance of interpretation board located to the north east of the site.

 

Management Prescription

 

AIM

CODE

METHOD

REASON

Woodland management

WM1

Remove introduced alder in phases and to scallop remaining woodland. Control or remove areas with rhododendron

Enhance habitat ecotones (bat feeding areas) and improve structure and diversity of woodland

Heathland management

HM1

Possible that older heather on site could be cut in small areas to create diversity in age and structure

To maintain and enhance associated biodiversity

Pond restoration and enhancement

PRE1

Scoop out and extend existing pond (which is fed by a small stream on site). Possible duck board and barrier along one side

Maintain and enhance biodiversity and creation of educational facility

Grassland ride management

GRM1

Cutting at appropriate time of year

Maintain and enhance grassland biodiversity

Tree thinning

TT1

Open up some of the woodland along footpaths route

To make site more inviting and more open

Scrub control

SC1

Cut back bramble and removal of birch saplings

Maintain open heathland habitats and associated diversity

Footpath maintenance

FP1

Monitor condition of paths and make good where required

To ensure safe access and use of site by visitors

Interpretation board cleaning

IBC1

Clean at intervals. Replace if vandalised or faded

To provide information on site to visitors

Bench restoration and construction

BRC1

Use local schools to design and produce from local materials

Promote community involvement and ownership

Bench maintenance

BRC2

Replace if vandalised or damaged

Ensure continued use of facilities

Management Description

                                                                       

CODE

YEAR

SEASON

 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

 

WM1
a
a

a

a

a

Winter

HM1
a
a
a
a

Winter

PRE1
a

a

a

Winter

GRM1
a
a
a
a
a

TT1
a

a

a

a

Winter

SC1
a

a

a

a

Winter

FP1
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a

Any

IBC1
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a

Any

BRC1

a

a

BRC2

a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a

 

 

Stocksbridge SRB5 Greenspace Audit undertaken by Jim Flanagan for Sheffield Wildlife Trust - see their Community Action Handbook - full of good ideas for your local site


Back to map of ecological survey sites

Inner Zone

Knoll Top

Outer Zone

Oxley Park

Bracken Moor - playing fields

East Whitwell - open space

Wood Royd

Countryside Zone

Ellen Cliff Wood

Townend Common

Industrial Zone

Dog Lichen Field

Hen Holmes Wood

Little Don - acid heath

Little Don - open space

Exchange Sidings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Web pages by Map21 Ltd - latest update 1 June 2004

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