Ecology and conservation of heathland Carabidae in eastern England

The history, ecology and conservation of three distinctive areas of heathland in eastern England are discussed: the Humberhead Levels, the Lincolnshire cover-sand heaths, and the East Anglian Breckland. The biogeographic and habitat affinities of the carabid faunas of the three areas are examined. Breckland is identified as a stronghold for a characteristic and declining carabid fauna. Analysis of the biotope preferences of these carabids reveals the importance of a previously unrecognised and currently unprotected 'traditional arable' biotope. Effective carabid conservation, at least in heathlands, must begin with baseline survey for carabids, independent of any pre-existing botanically-defined protected area system.