Lowland semi-natural grassland
Lowland semi-natural grassland is grassland that has not had significant fertilizer or herbicide applied to it, and exists at an altitude of less than 350 metres.[1] Such grasslands are sometimes managed as grazing or as winter food for livestock -cutting for hay or silage. They are generally meadow[2] or pasture land. Because of their traditional management, they contain a high diversity of species native to the particular country.[3]
Historical
[edit]They have formed as a result of human activity.[4] For example, forest clearing, and subsequent grazing and clearing of scrub. The plant species were formerly from woodland plants. Man has been managing land since mesolithic times.
Types of grassland
[edit]There are 5 categories of semi-natural grassland in the UK:
- Neutral/mesotrophic grassland. Have a ph of between 5 and 6.5. They lie between extremes of acidity and alkanity, wetness and dryness. Few large sites remain, and are typically used for grazing and hay production.
- Calcerous grassland. ph 6.5 to 8.5, typically on limestone chalk. Mostly used for grazing.
- Acidic/Calcifugous grassland
- Fen meadows and rush pastures
- Calaminarian grassland
Threats
[edit]- Lack of grazing and cutting leads to successional changes to scrub and woodland
References
[edit]- ^ O’Neill, Fionnuala H.; Martin, James R.; Devaney, Fiona M.; Perrin, Philip M. "The Irish Semi-natural Grasslands Survey 2007-2012" (PDF). Irish Wildlife Manuals. NPWS. Archived (PDF) from the original on Mar 22, 2022.
- ^ O'Neill, Fionnuala H. The Irish semi-natural grasslands survey 2007-2012. OCLC 870978268.
- ^ "Semi- natural Grassland habitats". Air Pollution Information System. Retrieved 2019-07-01.
- ^ Rusina, Solvita (2017). "Protected habitat management guidelines for Latvia Semi-natural grasslands" (PDF). Nature Conservation Agency of Latvia. Latvian Government Database. Archived from the original (PDF) on Jul 1, 2019.
Further reading
[edit]- Lowland Grassland Handbook by Natural England part 1[permanent dead link], part 2[permanent dead link]