Lowland pastoral landscapes

Overall vulnerability

Feature(s) assessed:

• Lowland pastoral landscapes

Special qualities:

• Beautiful views created by contrasting landscapes and dramatic geology
• Undeveloped places of tranquillity and dark night skies within reach of millions

Feature description:

Much of the landscape of the White Peak and into the South West Peak can be classed as lowland pasture. In 2013, it was found that around 52% of the PDNP was permanent grass farmland. The limestone dales of the White Peak have an exceptional biodiversity value and are home to many rare plants. See ‘Limestone grassland’ for the vulnerability assessment of these. However, the majority of White Peak pastureland is classed as ‘improved’ grassland and has a low diversity of plants and wildlife. Its main values are economic, cultural and aesthetic. The landscape provides grazing for livestock, and silage fields for dairy and beef cattle. In 2009 there were 65,974 dairy and beef cattle and 151,298 sheep present in the White Peak. Much of the White Peak area is enclosed by dry stone walls, which are a prominent feature of the landscape.

How vulnerable are lowland pastoral landscapes?

Lowland pastoral landscapes in the PDNP have been rated ‘high’ on our vulnerability scale. This score is due to high sensitivity and exposure to climate change variables, coupled with a vulnerable current condition and moderate adaptive capacity. Lowland pastoral landscapes in the PNDP are vulnerable to changes in economic and political conditions, with agricultural intensification already affecting the historical character of many farms. One of the key potential impacts of climate change is a change in land use, particularly a turn to more arable usage with fields ploughed and remaining flower rich grasslands lost. Many small dairy farms have already been lost and been replaced by larger holdings with an increased demand for larger buildings and fields, together with fewer meadows and more fodder crops. However, sustainable and sensitive farming techniques could be implemented more widely to help offset some climate change impacts.

Current condition:

The pressures of modern land management and changes to the economics of farming in the UK has affected PDNP pastoral landscapes. In many cases this has driven intensification and consolidation of existing holdings.

Results from The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) 2010 census indicated that there had been significant changes within the dairy industry in the White Peak. The number of holdings had fallen from 242 in 2000 to 159 in 2009. Many small dairy farms that have gone out of business are now used for beef or sheep production, or have become part of larger dairy holdings.

Larger herds and flocks have led to an increase in the size of new agricultural buildings and an intensification of grassland management. The number of hay meadows has fallen, the number of silage fields has risen, and cultivation of land for fodder crops has increased.

This intensification has seen traditional buildings and boundaries removed to create larger fields. These features are key elements of the historic landscape character.

What are the potential impacts of climate change?

Overall vulnerability

Direct impacts of climate change

Human behaviour change

Wetter autumns and winters could result in an increased need for lambing to be taken indoors and a need for move livestock shelters. These new buildings could change the landscape character. Farming may shift from livestock towards arable because of increasing annual average temperatures and changing agricultural economics, leading to the ploughing and loss of permanent grasslands. Economic pressures on farming will continue to drive intensification and increase in farm size and could lead to farming decisions affecting large areas of landscape. Data Certainty: High

An increase in flooding may mean some areas of pasture become unsuitable and are abandoned for at least part of the year. Pasture may be encroached by scrub in some areas. The traditional look could be lost if fields are left unmanaged. Data Certainty: Moderate

Higher summer temperatures could lead to welfare issues for livestock and increase the demand for structures such as tanks for storing water. Structures for shading or sheltering animals may become more common. Additions of this type could change the character of the landscape. Data Certainty: Moderate

A rise in visitor numbers in hotter drier summers may increase pressure on the infrastructure of the pastoral landscape with increased foot traffic particularly in honeypot areas. This may reduce the tranquillity at popular sites and at busy times of the year. Data Certainty: High

Access to land may be impacted by wetter winters. If fields are wet, livestock may be required to spend more time indoors, reducing the opportunities for visitors to view spring lambs. Conversely, longer grass-growing seasons may also result in shorter periods indoors for housed livestock in well drained areas. Data Certainty: Moderate

Direct impacts of climate change

Rainfall changes could see increased drought impact on semi-natural habitats, especially grasslands on thin soils. Plants that are sensitive to drought may be lost, leading to changes in the composition of grasslands. If hay yields are impacted or the cutting times of the few remaining PDNP meadows has to change, that could have a negative impact on food production and farm income. In addition, wildlife associated with these habitats will continue to decline. Waterlogging of the ground could limit the operation of farm machinery and the movement of livestock. It could also result in the compaction of soils, while flooding may directly damage the plants and soil. Data Certainty: High

Atmospheric composition changes coupled with increased annual average temperatures could lead to longer and more vigorous growing seasons for some plant species. Less competitive species may be reduced in abundance. A larger quantity of grass may be available for stock and silage production, but diversity of flora may decline further, leading to changes in landscape aesthetics. Data Certainty: High

An increase in flooding or drought may mean green fields lose their current bright green look if underwater, are drying out or have turned brown. Data Certainty: Low

Invasive or other species interactions

Trees in field margins or hedgerows may be more at risk of being lost to disease from pathogens such as Phytophthora or ash dieback due to warmer, wetter winters. Already it is expected that 60-90% of ash trees will be lost due to this fungus. This could change the character of boundaries, wooded field edges and other small patches of trees. Livestock are at increased risk of disease such as bluetongue virus and rumen fluke infections, particularly if they are stressed due to other environmental factors. Data Certainty: High

##Sedimentation or erosion Fields are shaped by the density of stock they contain. A rise in the numbers of livestock occurring in response to climate change could cause the increased erosion of fields. This is especially the case where stock are retained in the same location for extended periods. Data Certainty: Low An increase in the frequency and severity of storm events could increase flooding and surface run off and potentially leave some soils bare and reduced in nutrients. These processes could be detrimental to landscape aesthetics. Data Certainty: Low

What is the adaptive capacity of lowland pastoral landscapes?

Overall adaptive capacity rating

Overall adaptive capacity rating

Lowland pasture land covers large and continuous areas across the White Peak and into the South West Peak Data Certainty: High. Dairy, sheep, horses, and goat are all farmed, though sheep are the most abundant animal. Farms are owned by a variety of landowners. In 2009, there were a total of 890 holdings not counting those less than five hectares. Data Certainty: High Grazed land is also found at a variety of different elevations within the ‘lowland’ landscape. This diversity in the types of animals grazed and locations in which grazing takes place increases the adaptive capacity of the feature.

Farmland can recover from damage or change, especially with help from landowners. Grasses grow quickly and bare soils can be re-seeded if necessary. Stone walls can be rebuilt and hedges can be repaired if damaged. However, the species diversity within these grasslands may be altered and decline further because of climate changes. Data Certainty: Moderate

Farming subsidies are currently paid for pastoral land. Livestock farming in the lowlands is generally more economically viable than upland farming and so is more likely continue. The PDNPA has stated its commitment to be a test-bed for future land management support packages which enhance the special qualities of the PDNP. Data Certainty: Moderate

Other institutional support comes from organisations such as the National Farmers Union who aim to ensure that UK farming remains viable. The diversity of ownership, farming types and economic resources is likely to enable climate change stressors to be partially offset in some places. Data Certainty: Moderate

Pasture farming in the PDNP has been practiced for millennia. Management changes can be undertaken to help offset some effects of climate change, for example by adjusting farming techniques to suit new conditions, both physical and economic if the necessary resources are available. Data Certainty: Moderate

Key adaptation recommendations for lowland pastoral landscapes:

Improve current condition to increase resilience

The current condition of a feature is an important factor alongside its sensitivity and exposure, in determining its vulnerability to climate change. These recommendations are aimed at improving the condition of the feature at present, therefore making it better able to withstand future changes to climate.

• Monitor the risk and spread of disease in both plants and animals.
• Reduce visitor pressure by encouraging use of the area at times outside of the high season.
• If visitor numbers increase at easy to access locations, encourage visitors to use alternative transport such as bikes and public transport to maintain tranquillity of the area.
• Explore opportunities for storing high levels of winter rainfall for use during the summer; these should be sensitive to the landscape.
• Encourage better connectivity in these landscapes.
• Consider the impact on key views when planning adaptations.

Improve current condition to increase resilience: Targeted conservation efforts for important sites and at risk areas

The current condition of a feature is an important factor alongside its sensitivity and exposure, in determining its vulnerability to climate change. These recommendations are conservation measures aimed at those sites that will have the biggest impact for this feature – either because they are particularly important for the feature or because they are most at risk from climate change.

• See the recommendations under ‘boundaries and patterns of enclosure’.
• Encourage further uptake of environmental land management schemes by farmers within the PDNP.

Improve current condition to increase resilience: Increase structural diversity to improve resilience at a landscape scale

The current condition of a feature is an important factor alongside its sensitivity and exposure, in determining its vulnerability to climate change. These recommendations focus on increasing the structural diversity of the area or habitat in which the feature is found. This can help to offset the effects of climate change on the feature, as well as to allow it to be in a better position to recover from future climate changes.

• Enable more species rich hay cropping through meadow creation and restoration on a wide scale.
• Enable the diversification of plant species in permanent pasture; this will increase adaptive capacity to future change.
• Establish more trees and hedges in the landscape where appropriate to assist with surface water management, soil condition, and livestock summer shading. Help farmers to select the most appropriate and resilient species.
• Work to change perceptions about the value of ‘abandoned’ pastureland. More scrub and tree development on improved pasture would create a more sheltered and resilient overall landscape with microclimates that are more diverse, and improve future soil condition.