Grassland

Grassland is defined as open habitat, with less than 30% tree or shrub cover, in which grasses dominate. Different combinations of environmental conditions and management have created a wide range of grasslands in Britain. These can be categorised on the basis of their soil (acid, neutral or calcareous) and drainage status ('wet' or 'dry'). Grasslands can also be described as 'unimproved', semi-improved' or 'improved', depending on the intensity of agriculture.

 

 This plan covers a range of grasslands found within Hull, most of which are neutral wet grasslands, although there are some dry sites and several areas where calcareous grassland has developed on abandoned industrial land. There is a small number of unimproved grassland relics but most of the grassland in the City is semi-improved or improved.

 

Unimproved and Semi-natural Grassland

 

This category includes all grasslands with a largely semi-natural character that have not been treated with herbicides or artificial fertilisers. It includes enclosed and managed grassland such as hay meadows and pastures, a range of grasslands that are covered with water periodically, permanently moist or even waterlogged grassland, and unmanaged grassland. Unimproved neutral grasslands are rare. These grasslands are colourful because they contain a high proportion of broad-leaved flowering species, such as Cowslip (Primula veris) and Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra), relative to grasses. Some characteristic species, such as Adder's-tongue (Ophioglossum vulgatum) are now very rare.

 

Improved Grassland (Agricultural land, amenity grassland, grass verges)

 

This type of grassland includes land in use for agriculture that is regularly treated with slurry, artificial fertiliser and/or herbicides, often following reseeding. This produces a species-poor grassland that is usually dominated by Perennial Rye Grass (Lolium perenne), and sometimes Clover (Trifolium spp.). Improved agricultural grassland is generally very poor for wildlife. Plant diversity on such habitats is often poor because fertiliser use stimulates the growth of competitive grasses and a small number of common broad-leaved plants, such as Common Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) and Dock (Rumex spp.), at the expense of other plant species.

 

Some areas of improved grassland are managed for recreation and amenity, for example sports pitches, playing fields, public parks, and golf courses. Amenity grassland maintenance normally involves intensive management of a limited number of grass species by frequent cutting, fertiliser application, herbicide use, watering and drainage. It is generally dominated by Perennial Rye Grass, but other grasses are used for special purposes. Intensively managed amenity grassland is of little biodiversity value because of the limited variety in plant species and structure. However, there is potential to improve the biodiversity of many of these sites without losing their amenity value.

 

Other improved grassland habitats include features associated with roads, such as central reservations and roundabouts and grass verges. Grass verges are also found along railways and rivers. These habitats vary in wildlife interest. In some cases these habitats support important plants and animals and also provide corridors, which help species move from place to place. Such habitats are becoming increasingly valuable for wildlife, as other grassland habitats are lost.

Current Status

 

Unimproved and Semi-natural Grassland

 

Unimproved neutral grassland is now rare, and subject to further threat as pressure increases to maintain or increase farming profitability. There are currently fewer than 10,000 hectares of unimproved neutral grassland remaining in England.

 

Excellent examples of neutral unimproved grassland are found at Priory Meadows and Snuff Mill Fields, north-west of the City. These old permanent pastures have been maintained traditionally for over 100 years. They are dominated by wet grassland and contain temporarily filled hollows, ponds and ditches that provide important breeding grounds for frogs and newts. They are also important feeding habitats for Kestrels and Barn Owls. They support a rich variety of flowering plants and several species characteristic of unimproved grassland, including Adder's-tongue, Cowslip, and Pepper Saxifrage (Silaum silaus).

 

Improved Grassland (Agricultural land, amenity grassland, roadside verges)

 

Improved grasslands account for the major part of all grassland found in rural and urban parts of the UK. In the past 50 years improved grasslands have increased by approximately 90% in area due to the increased intensification of farming. This expansion has been largely at the expense of other habitats of high biodiversity importance, particularly unimproved grasslands. Grasslands improved for agricultural are found on the outskirts of the city and in the surrounding countryside.

 

Pockets of closely mown amenity grassland are found throughout the City, especially around housing estates. Whilst it is clearly necessary to regularly maintain amenity areas, many playing fields and school grounds contain little used areas of grassland around the edges or in awkward corners which could be considerably enhanced for wildlife.

 

The verges and other grassland associated with roads in the City are typically urban, but they do provide a sizeable area of grassland. The grass verges along the river and drains are home to some unusual plant species and are very important in the green network.

Current Factors Affecting the Habitat

 

• Loss of grassland to development on the urban fringe and within the City has been extensive. Several grassland areas that have colonised naturally on disused railway sidings in the City have been lost to industrial and housing development in recent years.
  
  
• The full wildlife potential of many hectares of grassland throughout Hull is not being realised due to a lack of management. Previously grazed pastures have been abandoned and are gradually losing their unique and rich diversity of plant and animal communities as commoner, vigorous plant species invade. Unmanaged ecological succession, particularly the invasion of scrub and development of woodland, has led to loss of grassland. Reintroduction of management could reverse this process.
  
  
• Recreational pressure and vandalism, fly-tipping and adding nutrients through dumping of garden refuse has reduced the wildlife value of many grassland sites.
  
  
• Illegal horse grazing is a particular problem within Hull. Tethered horses are limited to a small area leading to overgrazing of the grasses and wildflowers and loss of sensitive species. Areas of bare, trampled ground increase and problem plants, particularly Thistles and Docks, readily take hold. Grassland overgrazed by horses is of little or no conservation value. Dung tends to be mostly in latrine areas that are left ungrazed, putting more pressure on the remaining grassland. These latrine areas are poor in plant species because they are over-enriched with nutrients from the dung.
  
  
• On the fringes of the City agricultural intensification has led to a reduction in the biodiversity value of many grasslands.
  
  
• Over-management of improved grassland, mainly regular mowing and the application of fertilisers and pesticides, has reduced the wildlife value of many areas.
  
  
• Roadside verges suffer contamination from passing vehicles and road run-off, particularly salt used on roads in winter.
  
  
• Road improvement schemes have reduced the area of grass verge.
  
  
• Flail cutting of grass verges is detrimental to most species.

Current Action 

 

Legal Status

 

Neutral grasslands, which are managed under Countryside Stewardship Schemes, have protection from agricultural improvements through the 10-year agreements.

A number of grassland sites within the City are designated as Sites of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI). Both Priory Meadows and Snuff Mill Fields are proposed Local Nature Reserves and potential SSSI.

 

Management, Research and Guidance

 

The UK Biodiversity Steering Group (UKBSG) has produced a Habitat Statement for unimproved neutral grasslands, indicating the need for future conservation measures to maintain the extent and quality of species-rich neutral grassland in the UK. Targets are also set for the restoration of degraded neutral grasslands and re-establishment of their range.

 

A Habitat Statement for improved grassland has also been produced by the UKBSG. The suggested conservation direction is to enhance areas of improved grassland which are of importance for wildlife and restore semi-natural vegetation on sites where this would enhance their value for wildlife.

 

Support for management of old meadows and pasture is available through Countryside Stewardship, which is the Government's principal scheme for conserving and improving the countryside. With the aid of a Countryside Stewardship grant a ten-year management programme for Priory Meadows and Snuff Mill Fields was implemented in 1992. The aim is to manage the existing grasslands and hedgerows to maintain and enhance their substantial wildlife value and to allow the public access for quiet, informal recreation.

 

Other grassland sites within the City are cut once or twice a year for hay. However, over-grazing by horses is reducing the variety of plants on such sites leading to poor quality hay and making the desired management uneconomic.

Action Plan Aims

 

1. To determine the current grassland resource and quality.
   
2. To continue biennial monitoring of grassland plants species.
   
3. To remove horses illegally grazed on grasslands important for nature conservation.
   
4. To relax mowing regime on important grassland areas.
   
5. To continue Countryside Management Scheme at Priory Meadows and Snuff Mill Fields.
   
6. To achieve Local Nature Reserve status for Priory Meadows and Snuff Mill Fields.

 

What We Are Going to Do

 

Action	Target	Partner	Aim
Policy and Legislation
No policy or legislation proposed.
Habitat Management and Protection
Removal of horses illegally grazing on important grasslands.	Short Term: Removal of horses from Priory Meadows, Snuff Mill Fields and North Carr. Medium Term: Remove horses from other important grasslands e.g. Rockford Fields.	KuHCC (Property)	3
Relaxation of mowing regime on grass verges and river/drain banks.	Short Term: Review mowing regime and identify sites for pilot scheme. Medium Term: Relax mowing regime where possible and develop management plan.	KuHCC (Highways), EA	4
Leave margins uncut on amenity grassland.	Short Term: Develop two example sites and produce management plan. Medium Term: Uncut margins on half of the City's playing fields. Long Term: Uncut margins on all playing fields.	KuHCC (Parks and Open Spaces)	4
Advisory
No advisory action proposed.
Future Research and Monitoring
Determine current grassland resource.	Medium Term: Produce distribution map of grassland within the City.	KuHCC (Planning)	1
Determine most valuable grassland sites within the City and produce appropriate management regimes.	Medium Term: Survey grasslands and produce management regimes.	KuHCC (Planning)	1
Monitoring of grassland plant species, including fixed transect survey of Pepper Saxifrage and colony counts of Adder's-tongue.	Ongoing: Biennial monitoring of grassland species.	HNHS	2
Communications and Publicity
Provide information panels for demonstration field margins.	Short Term: Apply for grant funding for information panels.	HBP	4

 

What We Can All Do

 

• Help protect unimproved grassland.
  
• Ask for edges of local playing fields and school fields to be left uncut to allow wild flowers to grow and provide habitat for many insects, birds and small mammals.
  
• Be aware that grass verges left uncut may be to make them more attractive habitats for wildlife and that they have not been neglected.
  

Links With Other Action Plans

 

Grassland habitats are also found within Gardens and Allotments, Parks, Golf Courses and Cemeteries and Industrial Land. Grassland is important for plant species such as Cowslips, mammals such as the Harvest Mouse, and also amphibians, including Common Toads and Great Crested Newts.

 

References

Ausden, M., Treweek, J. (1995) Grassland. In: Managing Habitats for Conservation, ed. Sutherland, E.J. & Hill, D.A. pp.197-229. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

 

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (2001) The Countryside Stewardship Scheme: Traditional Farming in the Modern Environment. DEFRA.

 

English Nature (1997) Horses, Grasslands and Nature Conservation. English Nature, Peterborough.

Gibson, C.W.D. (1996) The Effects of Horse Grazing on Species-rich Grasslands. English Nature Research Report 164. English Nature, Peterborough.

 

Gibson, C.W.D. (1997) The Effects of Horse and Cattle Grazing on English Species-rich Grasslands. English Nature Research Report 210. English Nature, Peterborough.

 

Jefferson, R.G., Robertson, H.J. (1996) Lowland Grassland: Wildlife Value and Conservation Status. English Nature Research Report 169. English Nature, Peterborough.

 

UK Biodiversity Steering Group (1995) Biodiversity: The Steering Group Report. Volume 2: Action Plans. HMSO, London.

 

UK Biodiversity Steering Group/English Nature (1998) Tranche 2, Volume II - terrestrial and freshwater habitats. English Nature, Peterborough.

 

Wheater, C. P. (1999) Urban Environments. Routledge, London