Habitats
THE HABITATS OF CANNOCK CHASE
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Each is Unique
Each habitat is completely unique, from the soil to the wildlife that lives there and for that reason it’s important to be able to identify each landscape. Due to their differences, each location responds differently to how people visit and use the area.
If we wanted to be specific, there would be 1000’s of habitats that make up the Chase, but broadly speaking we can boil it down to a few.
Heathland
Find out why heathland is the most sensitive habitat we have and why it needs help.
Heathlands are ancient, rare and sensitive landscapes and at Cannock Chase they are protected under the strongest environmental law. The heathland landscapes in this region used to be vast, stretching all the way to Sutton Park in Birmingham.
Heathlands are fussy habitats. Farmers spread muck on their fields for more nutrients, but heather likes the opposite – acidic, low nutrients soils. That’s why dog mess changes the soil chemistry and makes the plants sick causing them to die. Dog mess should not be left on the heathland.
There are three types of heather found at Cannock Chase; ling, bell and cross-leaved. During August and September the heathlands come alive sprouting purple flowers across the landscape.
Heather takes a long time to grow; small pioneering plants are 5 years old and by the time it reaches its mature stage, it will be around 25 years of age. Heather needs to be given a chance but it is quite a tough and sturdy plant once the conditions are right.
For most of the year heather may look as though it is dead but it most definitely isn’t. It can reach up to 30-40 years of age which is called their degenerate stage. This is when it becomes long, spindly and flops over to make space for new pioneering heather to come through.
Heathlands are home to a host of different species; from bird to bugs, butterflies and berries, reptiles and more. Some of these species are rare and protected themselves and rely on the habitat to survive. Even migratory birds fly thousands of miles to come back to the Chase.
Be aware that most species live under the cover of the heather including snakes and birds that nest on the ground. Stepping off path disturbs them or can pose a danger to you or your pooch. Sticking on the existing footpath network is best for us and the wildlife.
Heathlands cannot survive without habitat management; they quickly become taken over by tree saplings and are out-competed. Grazing is the oldest and most natural and effective way of keeping the heathland healthy. It is a lot less expensive and does not involve the use of chemicals.
Ancient Woodland
Cannock Chase was once a royal hunting forest, not necessarily a dense woodland but an area of trees and open areas perfect for the hunting of deer and possibly wild boar.
Much of that original forest has disappeared but there are remnants in the ancient woodland of Brocton Coppice and individual oaks across the Chase.
The term ancient woodland is for land that has had woodland on it consistently for 400 years.
The soils and plants under the trees are equally important as are the species of insects and other invertebrates that make it their home, many of which need the complexity of an old woodland to thrive.
The complexity of an ancient woodland is hard to restore or reproduce so the best thing we can do is protect what remains.
Plantation Forest
Learn about the life cycle of the trees that are grown to be cut down.
This landscape is more robust than most. It can take more activity, action and footfall than the other more sensitive areas of the Chase.
Remember, Cannock Chase is a working landscape! Large areas are owned by Forestry England who is in the business of timber production – a natural and replaceable raw material.
It’s not destructive; this process assists with the natural cycles of the forest. Think of it like a farmer’s field of wheat, only this time, the crop they’re growing is trees and it can take around 25-40 years for your harvest to be ready!
There is less biodiversity in plantation forest due to the habitat being planted by the hands of people. The canopy of wall to wall pine tree doesn’t allow a lot of room for much else to grow.
This doesn’t mean that nothing else lives here, it’s still home to many creatures and critters. When the trees reach the end of their lifecycle and are cut, the clear-fell provides perfect breeding ground for our rare winged residents and other wonderful wildlife.
So be aware as at different times of the year felling will take place to remove the plantations that are ready. Look out for safety signage and stay away from these areas if you can help it until the extraction is over.