CONTROL OF BRACKEN AND THE RESTORATION OF HEATHLAND .3. BRACKEN LITTER DISTURBANCE AND HEATHLAND RESTORATION

1. This paper investigates the effects of disturbing the bracken-litter layer on the re-establishment of heathland vegetation after spraying with asulam at a grass and a Calluna heath in Breckland. Three litter disturbance treatments were applied: (i) raking and removal of the litter; (ii) incorporating the litter by rotovation; (iii) burning. All treatments were done with and without sowing seed of heathland species. 2. At both sites, litter disturbance increased the speed of colonization and subsequent development of the sown heathland species. At the Calluna site, litter removal was the most effective treatment. 3. At both sites the rapid establishment of the sown species reduced natural colonization of other species. 4. After 11 years, bracken reinvasion was reduced 15-20 m away from surrounding dense bracken edges at the grass heath. 5. The implications of these results for conservation management and heathland restoration are discussed.