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| Moorland
Introduction |
| Welcome
to the Cairngorms Moorland Project! |
| Moorland is any open
land that has not been planted for forestry or improved for agriculture
(although it may still be used for grazing). Just over 2000 of the 3 800
square kilometres within the Cairngorms National Park are classed as moorland
(54%). Of particular interest is heather moorland or ‘heath’ a type of plant community that is dominated by dwarf shrubs of the heather family (Ericaceae) and this extends over 41% of the Cairngorms National Park. Internationally, this type of vegetation is very rare but it is so common within the Cairngorms that it is very easy to think otherwise! You can learn more about the importance of moorlands, their wildlife and how they are managed in our Facts and Figures here. |
Heather moorland is an unusual habitat
because human beings created and maintain it. Moorland is therefore not a habitat threatened by human activity but rather one that exists because of it! Human inactivity – the absence of appropriate management - is the major threat that we pose to our moorlands! In order to maintain the moorlands in the Cairngorms National Park the Cairngorms Moorland Project has two main aims:
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