{"id":13281,"date":"2021-07-19T14:05:16","date_gmt":"2021-07-19T13:05:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=13281"},"modified":"2021-07-19T14:05:16","modified_gmt":"2021-07-19T13:05:16","slug":"utilising-smart-farming-devices-enhance-sand-dune-habitats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/utilising-smart-farming-devices-enhance-sand-dune-habitats\/13281\/","title":{"rendered":"Utilising smart farming devices to enhance sand dune habitats\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
A herd of cows<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>that\u00a0<\/span>arrived at their summer grazing grounds<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0have been given a significant job to\u00a0do:\u00a0they are a vital component of a project known as \u2018Dynamic\u00a0Dunescapes\u2019, which seeks to\u00a0re<\/span>–<\/span>establish 7,000 hectares of coastal sand dune habitats in England and Wales.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Thriving sand dune habitats are required to provide homes for a multiplicity of specialised and exceptional wildlife, such as fen orchid, natterjack toad and sand lizard.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It is essential for healthy sand dunes to be free to move and be dynamic. Many species need areas of open sand to flourish, so the project will bring life back to the dunes by establishing areas of open sand. Other specialised creatures need us to improve the dune slacks, as these often water-filled dips behind the dunes are important habitats for amphibians and birds. Invasive species will also be removed from the dunes and dune grasslands<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0to improve conditions for rare native plants to flourish.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Currently,\u00a0the majority of\u00a0sand dune habitats are overrun with vegetation<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0and consequently, sand\u00a0dunes are one of the most endangered habitat types in Europe for biodiversity loss<\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Cows can have a positive impact on these threatened ecosystems, grazing and trampling to help mitigate the overgrown vegetation. As they graze, they\u00a0curl their tongues around the grass, pulling it up to form tussocks,\u00a0which\u00a0offer\u00a0an ideal micro-habitat for a wide range of invertebrates.\u00a0As well as this,\u00a0they\u00a0break up sections of heavy vegetation, and their footfall builds areas of bare ground that\u00a0are required by\u00a0dune habitats.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThe importance of sand dune habitats<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
Bovine climate protectors\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n