Barlaston and Rough Close Common facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barlaston and Rough Close Common |
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The pool on the northern edge of the common
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| Location | near Barlaston, Staffordshire |
| Area | 20.6 hectares (51 acres) |
| Operated by | Stafford Borough Council |
| Designation | Local nature reserve |
Barlaston and Rough Close Common is a special natural area in Staffordshire, England. It is known as a local nature reserve, which means it is protected for its wildlife and plants. This beautiful place is located near the village of Barlaston and is about 3 miles (5 km) north of Stone.
Contents
What is Barlaston Common?
Barlaston and Rough Close Common is a large area of heathland. Heathland is a type of open land with low-growing shrubs like heather. This reserve covers about 20.6 hectares, which is roughly the size of 20 football fields!
Who Looks After It?
The common is owned and managed by Stafford Borough Council. They work hard to keep it a great place for nature. It was officially made a local nature reserve in the year 2000. This protection helps make sure its unique plants and animals can thrive.
Exploring the Common's Habitats
The common is split into two main parts by a small road. Each part has different types of plants and habitats.
Wet and Dry Areas
The larger western part of the common is mostly wet, marshy grassland. Here, you can find plants like purple moor grass and soft-rush. There is also a lovely pool of water at the northern edge. This pool is a great spot for pond life.
The eastern part of the common is drier. It has dry grassland with beautiful heather, such as bell heather, and bilberry plants. These plants are typical of heathland and provide food and shelter for many creatures.
Protecting the Heathland
The wet heathland needs special care to stay healthy. Without help, it could slowly turn into a forest. This would mean losing the special plants and animals that depend on the open heath.
Cattle Help Out
To stop this from happening, Red Poll cattle are brought in to graze (eat the plants) from April until autumn. This grazing helps to keep the heath open and prevents too many trees and shrubs from growing. This method was first used in 2008. Monitoring shows that the cattle are doing a great job! Their grazing helps the heathland stay just as it should be.
