An increase in ponies numbers on Dartmoor could help reverse a worrying decline in wildlife on the moorland, reveals a scientific study carried out by the University of Plymouth, instigated by the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust (DPHT) in partnership with Natural England.

As Natural England paves a way forward for the future management of the National Park, science is proving that its native ponies have the potential to restore good quality wildlife (more specifically heathland) habitats across large swathes of Dartmoor and the UK. 

The charity leases an 82ha site at Bellever, located within a larger 450ha from Forestry England. A herd of around 25 ponies has been grazing the site since 2006 supported by a Higher-Level Stewardship agreement (which includes an Educational Access component) with Natural England. 

Last month (May, 2023) the DPHT received notification from Natural England that it could increase its Dartmoor pony stocking level at Bellever from 25 to 30 in winter and up to 40 in summer.

The charity's chairman Malcolm Snelgrove said: "We are delighted that we are able to increase the number of ponies we keep at Bellever. When the research project concluded before the pandemic, its findings provided good evidence of the positive impact of pony grazing particularly on the reduction of Molinia caerulea grass cover and the increase in ericaceous dwarf shrubs. With farming on the uplands under close scrutiny, the findings are proving vital in the future shaping of the National Park. The positive impact ponies have made at Bellever is very exciting and should help ensure that suitably hardy ponies of all types and breeds are recognised and appreciated as effective conservation grazers to support biodiversity and tackle some of the factors affecting Dartmoor's landscape."

The University of Plymouth  carried out the research 2017-2021. The result of the study (published in the Conservation Evidence journal) suggested that ponies not only make a positive contribution to conservation management on Dartmoor, but are also a suitable option for conservation grazing throughout the country. The charity carried out its study at its site at Bellever with the project gathering scientific evidence on the benefits of ponies as conservation grazers and, as promoters of habitat restoration and therefore biodiversity.

With the future of farming on Dartmoor in the spotlight, the findings of the study could prove influential across the Dartmoor National Park.

 With many current High Level Environment Stewardship agreements on Dartmoor due to expire as part of the transition to the Government's new Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS), it is likely that long-term grazing changes on the moorland are imminent. Under the new scheme, the DPHT hopes that Dartmoor pony numbers will increase across more areas of Dartmoor to help aid the recovery of nature within the National Park.

Conservation grazing is the use of livestock to manage a site's habitats and therefore wildlife interest. Dartmoor ponies are prized for their hardiness, even temperament, and ability to eat plants that other ponies and horses might baulk at. Their day to day habits of browsing vegetation and trampling it as they go helps prevent coarser grass species and gorse taking over the heathland and create a matrix of different habitats, making it an even more attractive home for everything from invertebrates to reptiles and birds. This leads to a richer and more biodiverse habitat with a much reduced fire risk, while also enhancing the natural landscape for visitors.

Importantly, Dartmoor ponies tend to poo in the same area, creating 'latrines' which attract a whole host of invertebrates to nest and lay their eggs in. These are, in turn, food for reptiles and birds. Ponies can help restore the landscape as they emulate the wild cattle (aurochs) and horses (tarpan) that would once have roamed the landscape. The ponies also graze and trample the tough Molinia grass. Molinia is a coarse grass species which, being unpalatable to sheep, can dominate heathland habitats. This species deciduous grass species can create large tall tussocks which create a high 'fuel load' on peat or peat derived soils. The study found that there was a reduction in the cover and height of Molinia grass and a thirty percent increase in ericaceous dwarf shrub cover.

Dartmoor ponies are known to be helping in the resurgence of cirl buntings by helping to bring back lost biodiversity across farmland landscape. At RSPB Labrador Bay in Devon Dartmoor ponies are grazed from November until April.

The nature reserve was purchased in 2008 to help secure the future of the Cirl Bunting, a rare little bird whose population is almost entirely restricted to south Devon.  The ponies have created a rich mosaic of habitat age and structure which is suitable for the Cirl Bunting. Singing Cirls have now been recorded in one field specifically grazed by the ponies, where the habitat there had previously been unsuitable. This demonstrates that conservation grazing suits these special birds and is opening more homes for them.

The most recent bird survey carried out at Bellever (May 2022) found that there were a high number of tree pipits and new winchat territories - both bird species are red listed species. The survey also revealed an increasing number of Redstarts.

Project lead Dr. Paul Lunt, Associate Professor of Environmental Science at the University, said at the time of the survey: "Molinia is an aggressive and dominant grass which overwhelms less robust species, and managing it sustainably presents a serious challenge". In addition he also stated that "Changes in management and climate have favored Molinia and it is now a major issue for many upland areas across the UK. It creates a poor habitat and is very prone to wildfire, but at locations where salt blocks were placed to attract ponies, the increased grazing and trampling activity of the ponies led to a reduction in sward height and Molinia cover. This facilitated increased germination and establishment of Calluna seedlings and plant species diversity...the conclusion of the study suggests that ponies are part of the solution to managing Molinia."

The results of the survey were welcomed by Natural England, with an ecologist for the organisation saying they "provide good evidence of the positive impact of pony grazing on Molinia." They added that the study had been shared with DEFRA and will form part of the body of evidence that will help to shape the future Environmental Land Management System (ELMS).