ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the evidence of a decline in the area and quality of heather moorland over the post-war period. It outlines for either a cost-benefit analysis or, at least, a cost-effectiveness analysis of heather moorland. The policies for conserving significant areas of heather include the North and South Peak District ESA and the recently introduced Moorland Scheme. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) generalise the various payment vehicles as a provider gets principle which is a direct analogue of the polluter pays principle in pollution control. The conservation of agricultural habitats has become an integral part of agricultural policy within both the EC and the UK. Payments to farmers for environmental guidelines are in the form of management agreements associated with Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs), The Moorland Scheme and Countryside Stewardship. Conserving heather moorland may contribute towards the sustainability of rural areas from both an ecological and an economic perspective.
