Historically however, heath was much more
widespread across the county with an estimated 1,910 hectares in 1798
declining to the present level of 87 hectares which represents 95% decline
in the past 200 years. The former presence or heath is also reflected in
place names such as Hoath and Hothfield both meaning heath covered land,
and in areas such as Lenham and Charing Heath. It is not surprising
therefore that lowland heath is now a priority habitat for conservation as
it has become such a rare and threatened habitat in the UK.
Although it is acknowledged that remaining Kent
heathlands are fragmented and not of such high species rich quality as
extensive Dorset Heaths for example, the focus has now turned to try to
restore and recreate heath wherever possible. As a result, a number of
exciting initiatives are now underway in the Stour Valley.
The KSCP is working with the Forestry Commission to
restore lowland heath in Forestry Commission woods in the Stour Valley.
The work is supported by KCC, English Nature and the Countryside Agency
and the KSCP has had success with attracting funds from Brett Environment
Trust and Interreg. An area of 2 hectares of sweet chestnut coppice was
cleared in King’s Wood in March 2001 and the area is now in the process
of naturally regenerating to acid grassland/heath. Other 1 hectare blocks
in Clowes Wood, Blean and Covert Wood, Barham have been cleared of
plantation woodland to allow remnant heath species to recover. This is in
addition to extensive works being carried out by the RSPB in Church Woods.
The new Heaths Countryside Corridors Project is perhaps
the most innovative and ambitious project of all. Initiated by local
residents along the Channel Tunnel Rail Link corridor around Charing and
Lenham, the project is being set up with the objective of purchasing and
linking 52 hectares of land for wildlife management. This presents clear
heath restoration and creation opportunities which will also be a resource
for the local community. KSCP along with the Mid Kent Downs Project and
the Rail Link Countryside Initiative are partners in the project.
In the long term, with appropriate management aimed at
achieving a varied age structure in the vegetation, some of the associated
wildlife we hope to attract back to these new and restored heaths include:
birds such as nightjar and dartford warbler, a range of reptiles, and a
rich assemblage of invertebrates such as dragonflies, bush crickets,
grasshoppers and beetles.
Judith Baker, Canterbury and Lower Stour Countryside
Officer
