The effects of a mixed grazing regime on sand dune vegetation communities at Braunton Burrows, Devon (ENRR637)

Braunton Burrows SSSI and SAC is a large sand dune system on the north coast of Devon, with lime-rich dunes and an extensive system of variably-flooded slacks, grassland and scrub, inland of a wide sandy foreshore. The majority of the sand dune communities at Braunton Burrows are currently (April 2005) assessed by English Nature as being in unfavourable condition, principally due to high frequency and cover of scrub, leading to loss of typical sand dune communities and their characteristic plants. The principal scrub species of concern are willows, privet and brambles. An extensive grazing trial was carried out between 1997 and 2003…