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The common lands of England are a very significant resource and serve multiple purposes. They not only
contribute greatly both to the richness and diversity of the biological heritage and to the scenic character of
many areas; they may also serve the economic interests of farming communities in both
upland and lowland regions, and are widely used for both active and passive forms of
recreation. They represent a very special system of land tenure, and their use and management have been subject to
debate since the mid-19th century. At long last these matters are being addressed
(Landscape protection, recreation and public access
Common land, town and village greens).
Ashton Heath is one of 41 areas of registered common land in Greater Manchester. It was studied as part of a
12-year research project by the University of Aberystwyth which began in the 1990's. This study focussed on the flora, fauna and habitats of
registered commons, but also included reference to the location and extent of commons, and the nature of rights
of common and details concerning ownership. Also recorded was the association of commons with various protected
area networks (e.g. national parks, SSSIs), and, where available, information on the use and management of
individual commons.
The habitat of Ashton Heath falls into the category of 'Unimproved/semi-improved acidic grassland',
which represents the most extensive recorded habitat types within Greater Manchester. However, whilst the greater part
of this habitat occurs on the county's "Upland" commons at the fringe of the Southern Pennines, Ashton Heath
represents a "Lowland" site which is of particular conservation interest because "Lowland dry acidic grassland"
is one of the "Priority Habitats" of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (HMSO, 1994).
Pure heath swards on the "Pennine Fringe" commons are of rather limited extent due to the effect of high grazing
levels. Ashton Heath represents the largest area of lowland heathland in the county. In the study, the
vegetation was dominated by Calluna vulgaris (heather/ling). Other associates included Agrostis
capillaris (common bent), Galium saxatile (heath bedstraw), Festuca ovina (sheep's fescue),
Deschampsia flexuosa (wavy hair grass), Potentilla erecta (tormentil), Rumex acetosa (sorrell),
R. acetosella (sheep's sorrell), Nardus stricta (mat grass) and Juncus squarrosus (heath rush).
The maintenance of a heathland habitat depends on long-term management, using methods such as cattle and sheep grazing, and -
particularly on lowland commons - mowing and ornamental tree planting, and burning off excessive growth. The traditional management method on Ashton
Heath was burning, and the lack of a management plan coupled with other pressures on the habitat was leading to a
deterioration and gradual disappearance of the native flora and fauna. The main factors affecting heathland are tree and
scrub invasion; loss of structural diversity of heathland, due to a lack of conservation management such as
light grazing, controlled burning and cutting; nutrient enrichment, particularly eutrophication (nitrogenous deposits from
atmospheric pollution, dog fouling, and arising from scrub clearance left on site); tramping and physical
pressure; all terrain and motor cycling; horse riding; disturbance of wildlife by dogs; fly tipping and
digging.
It is important to combat the negative perception of heathland as being waste or barren land or just 'somewhere
to exercise the dog'. Also harmful is the concept that common land infers rights to 'go where we like and do
what we want', instead of a realisation that heathland offers access to all, but with responsibilities for
generations to come of maintaining the habitat. It is with this understanding and concern that the Ashton
Heath Residents' Association has been formed.
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