Gorse and bracken taking over moor

Mild winters are encouraging gorse and bracken growth

Parts of Dartmoor are becoming so overgrown with gorse and bracken that they cannot be used by walkers.

Scientists say climate change is to blame for the increase in the plants.

Milder winters mean the growth of gorse and bracken is not checked, while warmer summers encourage their spread.

Farmers are now planning more controlled burning of the moorland to remove scrub.

Farmers plan to increase swaling to remove scrub

Dartmoor ecologist Peter Beale said: "If this situation carries on unchecked, there will be a loss of grazing and a loss of archaeological features, as people will not be able to see them.

"It will also be much more difficult for people to walk on the moor."

Ramblers have already noticed problems caused by the proliferation of the gorse and bracken.

Wildlife affected

Don Millgate, from the Dartmoor Ramblers' Association, said: "Most of the moor is still accessible for walkers.

"But in some parts the gorse and the bracken can be a problem."

The overgrowth is also bad for wildlife.

Ground nesting birds, like the skylark, need open spaces to breed.

Increased swaling

Dartmoor farmers are now planning to increase swaling on the moor - where the undergrowth is deliberately burnt, but in a controlled manner.

But they say another problem is the government's "environmentally sensitive area" scheme for Dartmoor.

This encourages overgrowth by cutting stock on the moor.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the scheme was being reviewed to see if introducing more animals could help keep plant growth in check through grazing.