A NEW study led by the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science has revealed the extent of moorland burning across Britain’s upland areas.

Burning on moorlands, a mixture of bog and heath habitats, is widely used to increase the numbers of red grouse that are available for recreational shooting.

Burning was detected in 55 per cent of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and 63 per cent of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) assessed in the study.

These sites are designated under EU legislation for their conservation importance and governments are charged with protecting them from damage and ensuring that they are restored to the best condition.

Dr David Douglas, senior conservation scientist at RSPB Scotland and lead author of the study, said: “Upland ecosystems are highly sensitive to burning practices. Knowing how much burning takes place and where is crucial to developing sustainable land management policies for these precious environments.”

The study, published in Biological Conservation, is the first time upland burning has been mapped in detail across mainland Britain.

Martin Harper, director of conservation at RSPB, said: “Our uplands are amongst our most precious habitats in Britain and home to important wildlife. However, many of our uplands are in poor condition, due to intensive land management practices. It’s very worrying that burning is increasing, given the damage it can cause and that it occurs in many of our conservation areas.

“Governments and statutory agencies across Britain need to take action to reduce burning in our uplands rather than allowing them to be increasingly damaged year on year.”