Gorse Scrub BNG Units
Medium
Heathland and shrub
Trusted by Developers and Landowners
What is Gorse Scrub?
Gorse scrub forms when gorse species, mainly common gorse (Ulex europaeus), grow into dense, thorny evergreen thickets on dry, nutrient poor soils. These shrubs create low to medium height blocks of spiny vegetation with woody stems and narrow leaves that end in sharp points.
Why It Matters for BNG
Gorse scrub offers habitat structure for birds and invertebrates and supports moderate distinctiveness gains. It functions well within heathland and acid grassland mosaics.
Managing gorse for age diversity and preventing dominance increases BNG value. Low input management suits rough grazing systems.
Where You'll Find It
Gorse scrub occurs on free draining, acidic or nutrient poor soils. It is common on heathlands, coastal cliffs, upland slopes, parkland edges and derelict grassland. These sites often form part of a wider mosaic of heath, grassland and scrub.
Soil and Site Requirements
Gorse scrub thrives on acidic or low nutrient soils with good drainage. Gorse grows well on sandy, gravelly or rocky substrates and persists where soils remain dry. It spreads readily on neglected or lightly grazed ground.
How New Gorse Scrub Habitat Is Created
Inputs
• Allow natural regeneration from existing gorse stands
• Plant common gorse and locally appropriate gorse species
• Introduce nitrogen fixing shrubs such as broom for added diversity
• Retain suitable acidic or nutrient poor soil conditions
• Control invasive non native species where they occur
Management
• Use rotational cutting to maintain dense, compact growth
• Apply grazing to prevent stems becoming tall and leggy
• Retain young, mid age and mature shrubs for structural diversity
• Maintain open patches to support heathland herbs and invertebrates
Landscape
• Restore gorse scrub within heathland and grassland mosaics
• Connect fragmented scrub patches across slopes and ridges
• Position creation where long term light grazing or cutting is achievable
How Existing Gorse Scrub Habitat Is Improved
Inputs
• Add broom, heather species or dwarf gorse to increase shrub diversity
• Maintain acidic soil conditions and avoid nutrient build up
• Remove invasive species to protect native shrub communities
Management
• Cut sections of scrub on rotation to maintain dense regrowth
• Prevent the scrub from becoming tall and open
• Use grazing in suitable areas to maintain mosaic structure
• Retain flowering shrubs for early season nectar
Landscape
• Integrate improved scrub with adjacent heathland and grassland
• Restore scrub corridors for reptiles and ground nesting birds
• Break up uniform stands to increase ecological value
Target Condition
Gorse scrub in its defined BNG condition should:
• Contain common gorse as the dominant shrub, with other native shrubs present
• Maintain dense, low to medium height thickets with thorny structure
• Support structural variation across the scrub block
• Show signs of natural regeneration and varied age classes
• Avoid dominance by a single species across the entire canopy
• Maintain open patches and transitions to adjacent habitats
The BNG Value of Gorse Scrub
• Distinctiveness: Medium
• Condition Potential: Moderate to high when structural diversity and species richness increase
• Habitat Connectivity: Strong contributor to heathland networks supporting reptiles, insects and birds
• Climate and Landscape Context: Provides year round cover and improves nutrient poor soils through nitrogen fixing species
Species Typical of Gorse Scrub
Dominant Shrub Layer
• Common gorse (Ulex europaeus)
• Western gorse (Ulex gallii)
• Dwarf gorse (Ulex minor)
Associated Woody Species
• Broom (Cytisus scoparius)
• Bramble (Rubus fruticosus)
• Heather species (Calluna vulgaris, Erica species)
Ground Flora and Understorey
• Acid soil adapted grasses
• Small herbs associated with heathland mosaics
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gorse Scrub?
Dense thickets dominated by Gorse (Ulex europaeus or related species). This is an important habitat for specific bird species and invertebrates, particularly in dry or heathy areas.
How is BNG measured here?
Assessed by the coverage and age structure of the Gorse, ensuring a mix of young, dense, and old, leggy stands.
How can I achieve BNG?
Enhancement by rotational cutting or controlled burning (where safe and permitted) to create a diverse mosaic of Gorse ages. Creation on appropriate sites.
What is the BNG target condition?
A Good condition is defined by a mosaic of different-aged Gorse stands, which maximizes value for different wildlife groups.
What management is required?
Rotational management (cutting/flailing) to maintain the stand at different stages of succession, preventing it from becoming a uniform, old stand which loses its ecological value.
Exploring Other Habitats?
Lowland Beech and Yew Woodland
Lowland Beech and Yew Woodland is a priority broadleaved woodland habitat dominated by beech, and in some cases yew, on suitable lowland soils. These woodlands occur mainly on chalk and limestone scarps, as well as neutral and acidic lowland soils where beech has become long established. Many stands are ancient woodland, while others are long-standing secondary woods that now support characteristic beech woodland communities.
The habitat typically supports a closed beech canopy, sometimes with yew forming a secondary layer or pure stands on steep slopes. Ash, whitebeam, oak and holly may also occur depending on soil type and local conditions. Structure and ground flora vary according to geology and management history, reflecting recognised woodland NVC communities.
Wood-pasture and Parkland
Wood-pasture and Parkland are mosaic habitats of open grassland, heath or rough pasture with scattered open-grown trees. These trees are often ancient, veteran or historically pollarded and shaped by long-term grazing.
Unlike closed woodland, this habitat maintains a semi-open structure. Grazing animals prevent canopy closure, creating a landscape of individual trees, scrub clumps and open sward. Veteran trees with decay features such as hollows, rot holes, deadwood, and cavities are central to its ecological value. Animal dung, nectar-rich grassland and structural continuity support specialist fungi, lichens, invertebrates, birds and bats.
Many sites have historic origins in medieval forests, deer parks, and commons.
Upland Oakwood
An Upland Oakwood BNG habitat is an ancient, structurally rich woodland habitat found across the steep valley sides, hillslopes and rocky terrain of upland Britain. It is dominated by sessile oak, often growing alongside downy birch, rowan and hazel, and is characterised by a dense, mossy ground flora shaped by the cool, wet and acidic conditions of the upland zone.
These Woodlands have developed over centuries of low-intensity management and natural regeneration on thin, free-draining or rocky soils. Many are classified as ancient semi-natural woodland, supporting specialist bryophyte and lichen communities of international significance alongside a diverse invertebrate fauna, woodland birds and, in some stands, rare vascular plants.
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