Traditional Management Boosts Biodiversity in Heathlands

Paper: Traditional Norwegian farming practices drive biodiversity – A case study from coastal heathlands

A Norwegian study has shown that traditional land management - including prescribed burning and grazing - plays a vital role in supporting wildlife and protecting landscapes.

Researchers examined coastal heathlands managed through these age-old practices and compared biodiversity across three stages of vegetation growth. The results were clear: the patchwork, or mosaic, of habitats created by careful burning and grazing supported more species overall than any single habitat type on its own.

Each stage of heathland growth hosted its own unique plants and invertebrates, meaning that no one phase could sustain the same variety of life. This diversity was seen not just above ground, but also below - in soil microbes, fungi, and earthworms.

Key findings included:

• Prescribed burning and grazing rejuvenate pasture and keep vegetation varied.

• This mosaic landscape supports a high diversity of plants and invertebrates, rather than reducing it.

• Arthropods, fungi, and bacteria were major contributors to overall biodiversity.

• Traditional management reduces the risk of uncontrolled, large-scale wildfires.

By maintaining these varied habitats, land managers ensure that specialist species can thrive alongside generalists, preventing the “one-size-fits-all” landscapes that often follow neglect or abandonment.

Takeaway: For those managing or living on moorland, this research confirms that time-honoured practices like burning and grazing are not just tradition - they are essential for sustaining biodiversity and safeguarding the land.

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