Presentation by invertebrate biologist Roger Key on healthland and invertebrates

1. Sand, Scrub &Sand, Scrub &
ScruffinessScruffiness
(& maybe the odd bit of heather)(& maybe the odd bit of heather)
HEATHLANDHEATHLAND
& Invertebrates& Invertebrates
Roger Key
Former Invertebrate
Biologist at

2. InvertebratesInvertebrates
(the(the realreal biodiversity of our heathlands)biodiversity of our heathlands)

3. InvertebratesInvertebrates ––
aboutabout 28,00028,000 speciesspecies
Britain's Macro-fauna andBritain's Macro-fauna and
Flora – 1000s of SpeciesFlora – 1000s of Species

4. InvertebratesInvertebrates
(the(the realreal biodiversity of our heathlands)biodiversity of our heathlands)

5. InvertebratesInvertebrates
(the(the realreal biodiversity of our heathlands)biodiversity of our heathlands)

6. InvertebratesInvertebrates
(the(the realreal biodiversity of our heathlands)biodiversity of our heathlands)

7. InvertebratesInvertebrates
(the(the realreal biodiversity of our heathlands)biodiversity of our heathlands)

8. InvertebratesInvertebrates
(the(the realreal biodiversity of our heathlands)biodiversity of our heathlands)

9. InvertebratesInvertebrates
(the(the realreal biodiversity of our heathlands)biodiversity of our heathlands)

10. InvertebratesInvertebrates
(the(the realreal biodiversity of our heathlands)biodiversity of our heathlands)
? maybe about? maybe about
2,000 'heathland'2,000 'heathland'
speciesspecies

11. Number of UKBAP species stronglyNumber of UKBAP species strongly
associated with heathlands (total 90)associated with heathlands (total 90)
MammalsMammals 00
BirdsBirds 44
Reptiles/AmphibiansReptiles/Amphibians 66
InvertebratesInvertebrates 5555
'Higher' Plants'Higher' Plants 1616
Lower Plants (mossesLower Plants (mosses
and liverworts only)and liverworts only)
99

12. What are the mostWhat are the most
important (micro-)important (micro-)
habitats forhabitats for
invertebrates?invertebrates?

13. heather?heather?
<10% of species<10% of species

20. bare sandbare sand

23. sunbatherssunbathers

24. big catsbig cats

25. burrowersburrowers

26. fighterfighter
acesaces

27. sabateurssabateurs

28. refuserefuse
collectorscollectors

29. grassgrass

33. flowersflowers

41. bushesbushes

42. trees & woodtrees & wood

43. hazel pothazel pot
beetlebeetle

46. squidgesquidge

48. What are the importantWhat are the important
(micro-) habitats for(micro-) habitats for
invertebrates?invertebrates?

49. squidgesquidge
grassgrass && flowersflowers
trees & bushestrees & bushes
heatherheather

50. bare sandbare sand
but mostbut most
importantimportant
of all…of all…

51. tthhee wwhhoollee
lloott aallll
mmiixxeedd uupp
ttooggeetthheerr

54. summary - what's important for invertebrates insummary - what's important for invertebrates in
heathlandheathland
Vegetation heterogeneityVegetation heterogeneity
1: diverse topography of heathers,1: diverse topography of heathers,
grasses & herbsgrasses & herbs
2: diversity of flowers & flowering times2: diversity of flowers & flowering times
nectar sources & seed heads in winternectar sources & seed heads in winter
3: scrub3: scrub
4: small-scale patchiness4: small-scale patchiness
5: large scale patchiness5: large scale patchiness
6: dynamic patches6: dynamic patches
Bare ground - sand, peatBare ground - sand, peat
1: flat/sloping/vertical sand1: flat/sloping/vertical sand
(sandy clifflets & slopes)(sandy clifflets & slopes)
3: exposed wet sand or peat3: exposed wet sand or peat
by waterby water
Dead organic matterDead organic matter
1: litter - grass/heather1: litter - grass/heather
2: dead wood2: dead wood
3: fungi3: fungi
Open waterOpen water
1: water depth and periodicity1: water depth and periodicity
2: water quality2: water quality

55. so - a pause forso - a pause for
thought aboutthought about
heathlandheathland
management ?management ?

56. Roger Key Ph.D., F.R.E.S.
key_r_s@yahoo.co.uk
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