Site Code
Country: United Kingdom
Central coordinates: 52.52o, 0.74o
Administrative region: East of England (Cambridgeshire, West Norfolk, West Suffolk)
Area: 7829 ha
Altitude: 9 - 48
Site Description
The Breckland IPA contains a series of habitats of conservation value, including extensive calcareous grass-heaths, acid grasslands and heather heaths, plus lichen heath, surface waters (including fluctuating meres and pingos), wetlands, fen, and woodland. The large tracts of land of low fertility have a history of only sporadic cultivation and, coupled with a distinctly continental climate and a complex surface geology, this has led to the formation of distinctive and sensitive flora. Much of Breckland has been afforested and a sizeable area is used by the MOD as a training area; much of the remainder is intensively farmed but large tracts of semi-natural habitat yet remain and many of the characteristic plants continue to survive within the forested and farmed areas.
Within the IPA there are forty eight SSSI’s covering a range of habitats unique in the UK with lowland grassland, heathland and open habitats being of particular significance; in addition the area contains the UK’s only inland mobile sand-dune system. These important habitats support many plant species considered Breckland specialities, most notably the endemic Scleranthus perennis ssp. prostratus. The area is of considerable significance for other taxonomic groups, including birds, invertebrates and reptiles.
Botanical Significance
This IPA supports several habitat types that are of conservation importance, including European dry heaths, Inland dunes with open Corynephorus and Agrostis grasslands, Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition-type vegetation and Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia). Most significant of the species present are those of light, sandy but calcareous soils with a pattern of disturbance, namely Silene otites, S.conica, Bromus tectorum Phleum phleoides, Scleranthus perennis, Thymus serpyllum, Muscari neglectum, Medicago minima, Vulpia ciliata,Veronica verna, V. triphyllos and Filago lutescens. In addition, the area supports a fine array of calcicolous grassland species including Astragalus danicus,Galium parisiense and Botrychium lunaria and the dunes support the only inland UK population of Corynephorus canescens. The Brecks are also known for the naturally fluctuating meres which support a characteristic flora including Potamogeton x zizii, P. gramineum and Ceratophyllum submersum; Alisma gramineum is also known from one site. The meres and few other waterbodies support an impressive array of stoneworts including C. curta and C. rudis; Nitella. tenuissima was also known from the area in the past.
Noted for habitat and vascular interest
Management guidance notes
Barnham Cross; Ickingham; Maidscross Hill; Wangford; Weeting, Lakenheath; Weeting, Tuddeswell, Rampart Field, Elvedon. Euphrasia anglica, Euphrasia pseudokerneri; calcareous fens. Noted for habitat and bryophyte interest.
Notes
None
Research/Conservation Projects
Parts of Thompson Water, Carr and Common, Cranberry Rough, Hockham, Weeting Heath, Thetford Heath NNR and East Wretham Heath are managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Part of Swangey Fen is owned by Otter Trust. Barnhamcross Common SSSI is owned by Thetford Town Council. Pashford Poors Fen, Lackford Lakes and Lakenheath Poors Fen are managed as nature reserves by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Part of Grime’s Graves is owned by the DOE. Introductions of Veronica verna, V. praecox, V. triphyllos, Artemisia campestris and Silene otites have taken place at Weeting Heath and elsewhere. The grass and heather heaths are largely managed through a combination of grazing and mowing, with some soil disturbance.
Habitat/Land use
HABITAT:
· Woodland and Forest (major)· Regularly or recently cultivated agriculture (major)· Constructed, Industrial (minor)· Heathland Scrub (medium)· Grassland and Tall Forb (medium)· Mire, Bog & Fen (minor)· Inland Surface Water (minor)
LAND USE:
· Military (medium)· Forestry (major)· Agriculture (arable) (major)· Urban industrial/ Transport (minor)· Tourism/ Recreation (medium)· Nature conservation/ Research (major)· Extraction (minor)
Protected Areas (text)
24 SSSIs overlaping the IPA core area and 57 SSSIs in total (Core + ZOO), 4 SACs, 1 SPAs, 4 NNRs, 2 LNRs, 1 IBA, 1 Butterfly Conservation project, 3 Country Parks, Important Stonewort Area
Conservation Issues
Deposition of nutrients from the atmosphere accelerating succession
Development of soils on traditionally skeletal substrates
Increased rainfall as a consequence of climate change.
Loss of plant transport processes linking populations, due to decline of widespread grazing and droving regimes.
Loss of traditional very long rotation fallow practices
Isolation and decline of rabbit populations
Inappropriately low stocking densities on protected sites.
Land use
| Land use | % Cover | Level |
|---|---|---|
| military | Minor | |
| forestry | Major | |
| agriculture (arable) | Major | |
| urban/industrial/transport | Minor | |
| tourism/recreation | Minor | |
| extraction (minerals) | Minor | |
| nature conservation and research | Major |
Protection
| Designation | Protected Area Name | Relationship with IPA | Overlap with IPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Protection Area | Breckland | protected area overlaps with IPA | 0 |
| Local Nature Reserve | Barnhamcross Common | protected area overlaps with IPA | 67 |
| Local Nature Reserve | Great Eastern Pingo Trail | protected area overlaps with IPA | 0 |
| National Nature Reserve | Thetford Heath | protected area overlaps with IPA | 99 |
| National Nature Reserve | Cavenham Heath | protected area overlaps with IPA | 135 |
| National Nature Reserve | Brettenham Heath | protected area overlaps with IPA | 234 |
| National Nature Reserve | Weeting Heath | protected area overlaps with IPA | 137 |
| Unknown | Butterfly Conservation Projects | protected area overlaps with IPA | 0 |
| Unknown | Breckland Heaths and Thetford Forest | protected area overlaps with IPA | 0 |
| Special Area of Conservation | Waveney & Little Ouse Valley Fens | protected area overlaps with IPA | 0 |
| Special Area of Conservation | Rex Graham Reserve | protected area overlaps with IPA | 0 |
| Special Area of Conservation | Norfolk Valley Fens | protected area overlaps with IPA | 0 |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | Stanford Training Area | protected area overlaps with IPA | 4653 |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | Bridgham and Brettenham Heaths | protected area overlaps with IPA | 440 |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | Foulden Common | protected area overlaps with IPA | 138 |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | Gooderstone Warren | protected area overlaps with IPA | 24 |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | Great Cressingham Fen | protected area overlaps with IPA | 14 |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | Field Barn Heaths, Hilborough | protected area overlaps with IPA | 19 |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | Thompson Water, Carr & Common | protected area overlaps with IPA | 148 |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | Thetford Golf Course and Marsh | protected area overlaps with IPA | 91 |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | Thetford Heath | protected area overlaps with IPA | 297 |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | Grimes Graves | protected area overlaps with IPA | 66 |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | Weeting Heath | protected area overlaps with IPA | 141 |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | East Wretham Heath | protected area overlaps with IPA | 140 |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | Cranwich Camp | protected area overlaps with IPA | 13 |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | Lakenheath Warren | protected area overlaps with IPA | 586 |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | Barnham Cross Common | protected area overlaps with IPA | 69 |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | RAF Lakenheath | protected area overlaps with IPA | 111 |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | Wangford Warren and Carr | protected area overlaps with IPA | 22 |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | Foxhole Heath | protected area overlaps with IPA | 85 |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | Berner's Heath - Icklingham | protected area overlaps with IPA | 235 |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | Weather and Horn Heaths | protected area overlaps with IPA | 133 |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | Deadman's Grave, Icklingham | protected area overlaps with IPA | 126 |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | Cavenham/Icklingham Heaths | protected area overlaps with IPA | 292 |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | Rex Graham Reserve | protected area overlaps with IPA | 3 |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | West Stow Heath | protected area overlaps with IPA | 5 |
| Special Area of Conservation | Breckland | protected area overlaps with IPA | 7829 |
| Environmentally Sensitive Area | Brecklands Environmentally Sensitive Area | unknown | 0 |
Management
| Type | Description | Year started | Year finishes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other Management Plan | |||
| Other Management Plan | Norfolk Wildlife Trust | ||
| Other Management Plan | Thetford Town Council | ||
| Other Management Plan | Suffolk Wildlife Trust | ||
| Other Management Plan | MOD |
Threats
| Threat | Importance |
|---|---|
| abandonment/reduction of land management | high |
| eutrophication | high |
| agricultural intensification/expansion (general) | medium |
| habitat fragmentation/isolation | medium |
| water (extraction/drainage/canalisation/management | medium |
Threatened Species
| Species Name | IPA Assess. | Species Assess. | Abundance | Data quality | Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scleranthus perennis ssp. prostratus Sell | 2007 | 2007 | unknown | unknown | A(iii) |
Botanical Richness
| EUNIS level 2 code & name | IPA Assess. | Habitat Assess. | % of indicator species | No. Species | National Biotope | Data quality | Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E1 Dry Grasslands | 2016 | 2016 | 0 | 0 | unknown | B |
Threatened Habitats
| IPA Habitat code & name | IPA Assess. | Habitat Assess. | Area | Data quality | Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2330 Inland dunes with open Corynephorus and Agrostis grasslands | 2007 | 2007 | 0 | unknown | Cii |
| 4030 European dry heaths | 2007 | 2007 | 0 | unknown | Cii |
| 3150 Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition-type vegetation | 2007 | 2007 | 0 | unknown | Cii |
| 6210(*) Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates(Festuco-Brometalia) | 2007 | 2007 | 0 | unknown | Ci |
References
Norfolk Naturalists’ Trust, Otter Trust, Thetford Town Council, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, DOE, Norfolk Wildlife Trust
Contact Information
| Contact | Contact Type |
|---|---|
| Tim Pankhurst | Site report compiler |