Less heather, fewer grouse
A study published by the Langholm Moor Demonstration Project showed that grouse abundance was impacted when changes in heather cover was reduced to less than 30% as a result of sheep grazing. The study looked at changes in heather cover in relation to levels of sheep grazing on Langholm Moor in southern Scotland over a period of 70 years, and the impact on red grouse that inhabit heather moorland.