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
For Developers
For Landowners
Where Are They Found?
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
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, reflecting its ecological value within heathland and scrub systems
• 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
Exploring Other Habitats?
Upland Hay Meadow
Upland hay meadows are species rich grasslands dominated by a mix of fine grasses and abundant herbaceous wildflowers such as sweet vernal-grass, wood crane’s-bill, great burnet, pignut, and lady’s mantles. These meadows have developed through long term traditional management that combines light grazing with a late summer hay cut. Rare species including lesser butterfly-orchid and burnt orchid are sometimes found. This habitat is a dense mix of grasses and a wide variety of wildflowers, with no single grass species dominating the vegetation.
Upland Calcareous Grassland
Upland calcareous grassland is a springy, species-rich habitat occurring above approximately 250–300 metres on lime-rich, or “base-rich,” soils. The habitat develops as a short, species rich sward of calcicolous grasses, herbs and orchids adapted to alkaline conditions and cooler upland climates The grassland appears patchy and open, with fine grasses, colourful herbs and scattered rock outcrops. Wild thyme, common rock rose and bird’s foot trefoil often grow alongside sheep’s fescue and upright brome, creating a varied mosaic.
Upland Acid Grassland
Upland Acid Grassland is a mix of fine grasses, mosses and small herbaceous plants adapted to low pH and limited nutrients. This habitat appears as an open grassy landscape, often dominated by mat grass or purple moor grass. Texture and color come from all patches of tormentil, heath bedstraw and scattered mosses.
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