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UK Lead Organisation:
N/A
County Lead Organisation:
Objectives
- Maintain all existing populations within the County.
- Enhance the current population of the hybrid bilberry within the County on sites where it is known to be present.
Policy
- Ensure any examples of sites containing populations of this species and that meet the required criteria are given SBI status. (SBI Grading Committee)
Protection
- Heathland areas within Cannock Chase and surrounding sites are being managed to conserve the nature conservation features of these areas.
Management, Monitoring, Research and Survey
- In areas where the hybrid occurs, ensure that scrub, trees, bracken and dense areas of heather are controlled to reduce competition (SWMHP)
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Promote the creation and recreation of heathland adjacent to areas of fragmented heath where hybrid bilberry is known to be present. (SWMHP)
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Seek to re-introduce controlled grazing on Cannock Chase and other appropriate sites. (SWMHP, SCC)
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Seek to keep a similar level of disturbance along heathland footpaths where this species is known to persist. (Landowner)
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Seek to ensure that developing woodland and plantations containing viable populations of hybrid bilberry are not adversely managed. (FE and other Landowners)
- Ongoing monitoring of known sites on Cannock Chase and Hednesford Hills is undertaken by Staffordshire County Council and Cannock Chase Council respectively.
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Cuttings of hybrid bilberry (taken from local provenance) have been established in new areas on sites where it is known to occur.
Advisory
- Advise on heathland management and restoration. (SWMHP)
- Promote the biodiversity and landscape value of heathland to the public and landowners. (SWMHP)
- Ensure that all the relevant organisations and agencies are aware of all known populations. (SWT)
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