Controlled burning of heathland vegetation, typically undertaken in cooler months, promotes new growth by removing older, less productive plants. This process encourages a mosaic of different-aged heather, providing diverse habitats and food sources for various wildlife. For example, young heather offers nutritious grazing for livestock and certain game species, while older stands provide cover for nesting birds.
This land management practice is vital for maintaining healthy heathlands, which are internationally important ecosystems. It contributes to biodiversity, prevents the encroachment of scrub and trees, reduces the risk of wildfires by removing flammable material, and can even improve the nutritional quality of grazing land. Historically, managed burning has been a key component of heathland management for centuries, shaped by traditional practices and evolving ecological understanding.