ABSTRACT
Lowland heathland, an internationally endangered habitat, survives on many golf courses in the Surrey area of the UK, although the quality and conservation value of these patches have not previously been determined. Plant and invertebrate populations have been recorded on the heathland patches of a local golf club, and the occurrence of these related to the course design.
In contrast to previous studies, invertebrate density was not related to patch area, and positively related to patch isolation (F=5.9; p<0.01). The latter result may appear to be anomalous, but can be explained by the design of the course and management of the heather. The smallest heath patches were the most isolated and supported the highest invertebrate numbers because these were maintained in a condition similar to natural heathland, while larger patches near the fairways were mown. Therefore, heather management techniques are as important as course design in heathland species conservation.
To determine if the landscape features of the golf course act as barriers or corridors to movement between patches, a mark-release-recapture experiment was carried out using carabid beetles (Coleoptera: carabidae). These results showed that beetles are able to move across many potential obstacles, but failed to cross the fairways.
It is apparent that management guidelines need to be produced that describe not only the way in which habitat patches are arranged in space on a course, but also the way in which these habitats are managed. Optimum layouts can then be achieved, to satisfy requirements for golf course architects, rare species, players and non-players alike.
