Sand Dune Grazing Management

L A B Coastal is an independent Assessor for the Sand Dune grazing management experiment set up jointly by the MoD, English Nature and Christie Estates at Braunton Burrows.

The rich diversity of flora of many sand dune systems is heavily dependant on the grasslands being adequately grazed to ensure that the more vigorous species are kept under control. In the absence of grazing or with insufficient grazing a few vigorous species of grass can suppress the growth of the many attractive flowering plants, including rare species.

It was suggested that at Braunton Burrows, North Devon, species were being lost or threatened because of insufficient grazing animals. A large scale experimental enclosure has been established with raised levels of grazing within and the vegetation changes are being monitored. L A B Coastal is advising on the methods of recording being used, the analysis of the data collected and the interpretation of the results in order to agree an acceptable management programme for the whole area.