Habitat Action Plans

DARWIN SAID:
“On Hayes Common where it was burnt the heath is a good deal mixed with gorse and there is much moss but not lichen…” Charles Darwin.

VISION:
Bromley's isolated heathland portrays one of the rarest and most threatened semi-natural habitats in Britain and our aim is to care for those surviving species, such as heather, bog asphodel, cow wheat and bilberry.

Action for Habitats

Lowland Heath

Lowland heathland is usually found on acidic, sandy free-draining soils that are nutrient poor. It is characterised by the presence of plants such as heather, purple bell heather, dwarf gorse and cross-leaved heath, and is generally found below 300m in altitude. Areas of good quality heathland consists of an ericaceous layer of varying heights and structures, some areas of scattered trees and scrub, areas of bare ground, gorse, wet heath, bogs and open water. Bromley has one of only four mires in the Greater London boundary and it is the most species rich. The habitat is also important habitat for invertebrate and reptile species. Charles Darwin visited Keston Common especially to look at sundew plants.

The BBAP aims:

• To protect, manage and enhance all remaining heathland and mire.

• To increase the area of heathland via habitat creation or restoration.

• Increase public awareness of the habitat and involvement in its management.

Action being taken by 2009 includes:

• Implementing the 'London's Heathland Heritage' Project

• Providing opportunities for practical involvement in heathland management to the public.

• Surveying reptiles and invertebrates inhabiting these special areas.

• Raise awareness of Charles Darwin's observations of Bromley's heathland.

To read a full copy of the Lowland Heathland & Mire Habitat Action Plan, click here.

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