the main land use within the site is grazing by sheep. deer grazing is also common. the woods in the park are currently severely overgrazed by sika deer. grazing has caused damage to many terrestrial habitats, causing heath and blanket bogs to degrade and preventing woodland regeneration. in the upland areas erosion caused by grazing is exacerbated by the exposed nature of the terrain. pressures from native grazers like red deer and irish hare have increased since their main natural predators, the wolf and golden eagle, became extinct. grazing and disturbance of vegetation greatly aids the spread of rhododendron.