New plant life emerges

Nidderdale Moorland Group

Areas of controlled, cool burning and mowing to remove old rank vegetation are soon naturally colonised by other moorland plant species.

Peat forming Sphagnum mosses, Cloudberry, Cowberry, Bilberry, Cotton grasses, Lichens, new Heather shoots and other specialised moorland species soon appear as the light is allowed in, once the canopy of old vegetation is removed. This creates a mosaic patchwork and wider diversity of plant species on our managed moorlands alongside the Heather.

These pictures were taken on one of our managed moorlands in Nidderdale last week showing new growth and the diversity of moorland plants on areas of controlled, legal cool burns or areas which have been mowed, something that can only happen through correct and careful controlled management of the vegetation levels. This work also helps to reduce the risk of out of control summer wildfires which burn hot and burn deep, destroying not only the peat, but also all these plants.

Managed moorlands are home to a vast diversity of specialised moorland plants which will happily regenerate naturally on areas managed by our moorland estates and their gamekeepers.