Grassland

Upland hay meadows were plentiful until the latter part of the 20th Century, but are now rare. They are important for several rare species of bird, including corncrake and black grouse, as well as for a now assemblage of flowering plants. The occur on a range of upland soils in western, central and northern Britain.

This species-rich habitat occurs in areas of high rainfall, mostly in south-west England, on poorly drained, shallow peat or peaty mineral soils with a range of pH conditions. They have low available nutrient concentrations and are usually maintained by low intensity grazing or mowing.

Unimproved, semi-natural, acidic grasslands occur on free draining, usually sandy, low fertility mineral soils with a pH of 3-5.5. Former mineral workings can be ideal opportunities for creation. The precise composition of the vegetation community will depend on the climate, aspect and particular soil characteristics. It will take several years for the sward to fully establish.

An alternative option in the creation of grassland is the use of ‘green hay’ from a local suitable donor site which can often lead to a sward with better productivity and species diversity than if sown with a commercially-bought seed.