SCR1: Create scrub and open habitat mosaics

The following changes have been made to this action for SFI26 (compared with the SFI24 version):

• this action now has a 3-year duration – this only applies to SFI26 agreements, not existing SFI24 agreements
• updated wording to explain land which is not suitable for this action – this only applies to SFI26 agreements, not existing SFI24 agreements
• minor updates to standard wording which appears in all area-based SFI actions

This action’s aim is that there’s a mosaic of scrub, grasses and other flowering plants with:

• scrub cover allowed to develop, and managed so the mosaic is maintained
• a variety of species, heights, and structure
• growing trees and deadwood, where relevant

The purpose of this is to:

• provide pollen and nectar sources for beneficial insects, such as bumble bees, solitary bees and butterflies
• provide food and habitats for birds and mammals
• improve the quality of woodland edges and transitions between other habitats
• protect soils and watercourses by reducing soil erosion

What you must do

You must manage the area entered into this action in a way that can reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim, including:

• allowing scrub to regenerate naturally or by planting a variety of native scrub species, or a combination of both, so scrub cover develops on between 10% and 60% of the area
• controlling wild herbivores to allow scrub to develop and establish
• leaving any standing and fallen deadwood in place, if it’s safe to do so
• leaving any mature and veteran trees in place, if it’s safe to do so
• making sure tree guards do not damage growing trees, and removing them once trees are established

You must not:

• cut vegetation, unless it’s to control injurious weeds and invasive non-native species including non-native trees, soft and hard rush, nettles or bracken
• graze with livestock
• apply fertilisers, manures or lime
• apply pesticides, except for herbicides, to weed wipe or spot treat to control injurious weeds, invasive non-native species, nettles or bracken
• plough, cultivate, re-seed, harrow or roll
• release gamebirds
• use supplementary feed for game birds
• carry out drainage works or change existing drainage, without written permission before work starts

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its 3-year duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you’ve done to complete this action, such as:

• field operations at a land parcel level and associated invoices
• photographs or other documentation

If it’s not clear that you’ve done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, we may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if we ask for it.