Lowland heathland
Location
The undulating heathland landscapes of Dorset are found in the Poole Basin, a low-lying area enclosed by the chalk to the north, west and south.
Key Characteristics
- an undulating lowland landform with a distinctive open, exposed
and uniform character
- associated with the poor, sandy and infertile soils of the Poole Basin
- a complex, diverse and often fragmented mosaic of heather carpets,
grassland, birch/pine wood and scrub, which combine to create a
blend of textures and colours
- heavily influenced by urban development and associated pressures
- wide, expansive and open views especially from elevated areas
- important European designated habitats and species
- a fragile landscape easily damaged by human activities e.g. fire
and motorcycles
The acidic, light, sandy and impoverished soils on which this Lowland
Heathland landscape type has evolved once supported extensive blankets
of heath over much of the Basin. The transition from chalk to
heathland landscapes follows the same consistent pattern across the
Poole Basin. The lowland heathland landscape is a complex and diverse
mosaic of open expansive dry and wet heath, acidic grassland,
regenerating birch/pine wood and wooded scrubby heath which all
combine to create a rich blend of textures and colours. Despite over
96% of Dorset's heathlands now being protected, a range of land uses
affects condition, with the fragile and fragmented heaths under
constant pressures, mainly due to their location adjacent to and
within the southeast Dorset conurbation. Historically it was a remote
unsettled terrain but modern development including significant conifer
plantations, mineral extraction, planned farms, golf courses, roads
and other urban fringe development has fragmented the remaining
heathland patches. The roads are often straight, reflecting historic
origins, and flanked by broad leaved woods. Much of the heaths are
internationally important and designated wildlife habitats which
contain many protected species such as Dartford Warbler and Sand
Lizard. The wild and exposed appearance and feel of the open
heathlands has been well documented in Thomas Hardy’s writings. There
are numerous landmarks and distinctive open areas of heath such as
Hartland Moor, Studland, Middlebere, Povington, Winfrith, Canford and
Holt Heaths. Agglestone Rock, a dramatic isolated gritstone boulder,
is a key local landmark near Studland and the transition to reed beds
and marshes around Poole harbour is also a distinctive and important
feature of the area.
Management Objectives
The overall management objective for the Lowland Heath Landscape Type
should be to conserve and enhance existing heathland habitats and
restore important former heathland sites. Enhance the balance of other
heathland mosaics through improved management of scrub. Protect
important conifer plantations that mitigate intrusive developments and
provide for strategic recreation.
Key land management guidance notes
- restore important heathland habitats where they link up with
existing heathlands and protect acid grasslands from further scrub encroachment
- tourism initiatives should be compatible with conserving Lowland
Heathland, through zoning and developing appropriate transport infrastructure
- continue to support and fund The Urban Heaths Partnership
- restore mires back to functional ecosystems
- maintain the balance and protect heathland mosaics from scrub
encroachment, bracken and woodland succession, particularly where
these buffer existing heathlands, through promoting grazing regimes.
Encourage woodland thinning within and around the wooded heath habitats.
- protect stands of mature broadleaved & conifer woodland along
roadsides and create glimpses of open heathlands through scrub clearance
- conserve and enhance the existing open heathlands with continued
support for extensive grazing regimes with protection of landscape
trees and small woodland blocks.
- where woodland/scrub does not have a screening and biodiversity
role, encourage phased removal
- soften edges of existing woodland blocks to follow landform and
protection of important views.
- manage the impact of rising sea levels through creation of flood
marsh around heaths adjacent to Poole harbour
- identify and protect important woodlands that screen intrusive
development e.g. through planning documents and/or Parish Action
Plans, Village Design, Statements and other Settlement Appraisals
- develop and implement a Green Infrastructure Strategy to include
this key landscape type.
- protect open heathlands from excessive visitor pressure and
associated infrastructure by careful planning of new development
- ensure mineral workings are mitigated as far as possible with
clear aims for long-term restoration and enhancement
Landscape Character Assessment Map
View a map of all the Landscape Character Areas in Dorset, or view a list