Conservation problems on Breckland heaths: from theory to practice

During his long career, Eric Duffey championed the importance of a scientific approach to conservation. One of the areas where he had a long-term interest was in the conservation of the heaths and grass heaths in the Brecklands of East Anglia, UK. This paper reviews some of the conservation problems affecting the heaths of the Breckland region, outlining some of the experimental approaches that have been taken to reverse succession and re-establish the heath and grass-heath communities. Successes and failures are noted. The importance of the holistic approach espoused by Duffey, combining historical information on land use, continuous monitoring and experimental approaches to intervention management are discussed.