Future Landscapes

• How might the Somerset Landscape
  look in the Future?
• Upland
  • As it is Today
  • Focus on Agriculture
  • Focus on Biodiversity
  • Balance between Agriculture and Biodiversity
• Somerset Levels and Moors
  • As it is Today
  • Focus on Agriculture
  • Focus on Biodiversity
  • Balance between Agriculture and Biodiversity
• Lowland Coastal
  • As it is Today
  • Focus on Agriculture
  • Focus on Biodiversity
  • Balance between Agriculture and Biodiversity

Somerset Levels and Moors - Focus on Biodiversity - 2060

Somerset Levels and Moors Landscape - in 2060 if the focus is on biodiversity:

Land use and land management is being actively encouraged to maximise biodiversity , which substantially reduces the need for the maintenance of an extremely efficient land drainage system. On the Levels this results in a much wetter landscape, especially in the winter, and water is held on the land for longer periods into the spring and early summer. Wet grassland and other wetland habitat types have developed which attract a wide range of wildlife. Low intensity livestock grazing is still needed at certain times of the year to help maintain the desired vegetation characteristics for the various wetland habitats. On the drier surrounding hill slopes slightly more intensive grazing takes place alongside other production systems such as vineyards. The woodland and hedgerows are being enlarged and connected to provide further wildlife habitat.

Upland

Somerset Levels and Moors

Lowland Coastal

Cattle Conservation grazing - -on the Levels the focus is vegetation management for wildlife by low intensity grazing (usually beef cattle), and/or mechanical cutting. In some years it may be possible to mechanically cut and remove hay and soft rush for livestock feed and/or bedding during the winter period

Sheep Conservation grazing - on the Levels the focus is vegetation management

Higher intensity of grazing on hillslopes (beef , dairy and sheep) or alternative crops such as vineyards or fruits

Pollarded Willows -increased coverage and improved condition of a historic feature of the Levels

Reed Fringed Drainage Channels – a mosaic of water dependant habitats is actively encouraged to develop to provide wildlife habitat

Woodland planting actively enlarged and connected to increase habitat and provide wildlife corridor linkages

Hedgerows actively enlarged and connected, including mature trees, to increase wildlife habitat and corridor linkages