- Development pressures.
- Recreational Pressures.
- Improvement of agricultural grassland.
- Poor hedgerow management.
- The high cost of managing marginal land
and changes in agricultural support systems
Use of unsuitable worming treatments for livestock.
- Changes in crop type and land use – loss of arable land and a reduction in mixed farming practices.
- Stock management – high densities of livestock (damaging effects on trees and swards leading to erosion and run-off); inappropriate stock types.
Farmland
There has been a 10% decrease in the area of farmland in Torbay since
1995, which reflects a decrease nationwide. Farmland is under
pressure from development, recreation and changes in farming
practices and this poses a great threat to wildlife that depends on the
farmland habitat. The term farmland includes all habitats especially
arable management, hedgerows and hedgerow trees, traditional orchards,
flower-rich meadows and permanent pasture including in-field trees.
Main Objectives & Key Actions:
1. Maintain/increase the numbers and range of key farmland wildlife.
2. Maintain the network of existing ancient boundary hedgerows.
3. Maintain/recreate the area of traditional orchards.
4. Work with smallholders and
farmers to improve the farmed environment for biodiversity.
5. Survey farmland wildlife and
habitats to develop a stronger understanding of changes.
Current threats to this habitat:
