Samuel Newton

• Bsc (Hons) Biology (Ecology & Environmental Ecology)
• Investigating Moorland Cutting Regimes on Invertebrates at RSPB Geltsdale

Working in Cumbria with RSPB Geltsdale and the North Pennines AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) Partnership, the project was aimed at establishing if heather cutting to help restore moorland, as an alternative to burning, was impacting invertebrate populations. These are a major food source of nesting birds, including upland waders and migratory songbirds. These in turn indirectly impact predatory species, such as nationally rare Hen Harriers.

Plots cut on different years and levels of regeneration were selected, and sampled using sweep netting (for invertebrates in vegetation or airborne) and pitfall traps (for ground-dwelling species). Invertebrates were identified, and plot comparisons allowed analysis of the effects of heather cutting.

 Intermediate aged plots had highest abundance and species richness, opposed to the oldest and most recently cut. Clearly maintenance of a mosaic of cut areas of different ages will maximise invertebrate diversity.

 Funding source: Newcastle University

 Supervisor: Dr Roy Sanderson