Species rich grassland habitats across the UK have seen a dramatic decline of 97% in the last century. Their ability to support a variety of flora and fauna while also enhancing soil health makes grasslands a priority habitat worth conserving.

There are many different types of grassland, each requiring slightly different management. Grassland habitats are dominated by grass species, sedges and flowering plants.

Grasslands can be classified as improved, unimproved and semi-improved which refers to the level of modification for agriculture:

• Improved grasslands have experienced large levels of agricultural management and fertiliser use for grazing and forage production.
• Semi-improved grasslands have been subject to moderate levels of agricultural improvement, such as fertiliser application and grazing but continue to support a relatively diverse range of grassland species in comparison to improved grasslands.
• Unimproved grasslands have received minimal to no agricultural input and have a higher species diversity of native grasses, wildflowers and sedges.

Improved grassland habitats are one of the most widespread habitats in the UK, covering approximately 40% of the land surface.

Grasslands can also be categorised as species-rich or species-poor.

Species-poor grasslands have less than 9 plant species per square metre. They are dominated by species such as white clover and perennial rye grass with wildflowers and sedges comprising less than one-third of the vegetation cover.

In contrast, species-rich grasslands are defined by having more than 15 species per square metre, with less than 10% cover of perennial rye-grass and white clover. Wildflowers and sedges account for more than one-third of the vegetation cover, providing valuable habitat for pollinators and other wildlife.

Grassland habitats can be broadly grouped by their soil pH and underlying geology. These are:

• Acidic grasslands which occur on nutrient-poor acidic soils resulting from acidic bedrock such as granite and sandstone.
• Neutral grasslands are found on moderately fertile soil with a neutral pH. This includes traditional hay meadows.
• Calcareous grasslands can occur on alkaline, lime-rich soils derived from limestone or chalk.

Purple moor-grass and rush pasture is an example of a specific grassland habitat which is associated with acidic and neutral soils. For more detailed habitat definitions see the JNCC lowland grassland habitat descriptions.

Species you can expect to find in a healthy Herefordshire grassland habitat

Plants

• Yellow rattle
• Bird's foot trefoil
• Cowslip
• Cuckoo flower
• (Common) Cats ear
• Lady's bedstraw

Birds

• Skylark
• Barn owl
• European green woodpecker

Invertebrates

• Marbled white
• Meadow grasshopper
• White-tailed bumblebee

Invasive species

• Japanese knotweed
• Himalayan balsam
• Giant hogweed

More about invasive and non-native plant species legislation in England and Wales, including a list of species and advice for their management and removal.

The likelihood of introducing invasive or non-native species can be reduced by avoiding the movement of contaminated soils, using locally sourced materials where possible, and following good biosecurity practices, such as:

• Staying on designated footpaths where possible.
• Cleaning boots, wheels and tyres before entering the habitat to reduce the risk of introducing pathogens, invasive species and seeds. Clean them again before leaving and allow them to dry thoroughly before visiting another site.
• Checking your dog's paws and fur for seeds and insects.

Learn more about biosecurity on GOV.UK

Why are grasslands important in natural flood management?

Healthy grasslands provide multiple benefits for Natural Flood Management (NFM). The diversity of vegetation structure increases surface roughness, helping to slow the flow of water across the ground surface, encouraging infiltration and reducing the flood peak within the watercourse.

A healthy grassland's soil will have a high organic matter content and good soil structure, which means that it will have an incredible capacity to infiltrate and store water in the soil. This regulation of water movement helps to reduce the flood risk to communities downstream. These deeper and more varied root networks increase the soil's capacity to store water and improve resilience during periods of low rainfall and drought.

Activities that damage soil structure, such as excessive livestock poaching, intensive grazing or frequent trafficking by machinery, can lead to soil compaction which causes waterlogging and increased run-off. Creating species-rich grasslands can help mitigate these impacts by improving soil health and increasing the soil's capacity to absorb and store water.

Species rich grasslands and hay meadows should follow a clear and regular annual management cycle. Varying the time of year that you cut grasslands has proven beneficial for biodiversity, leaving some areas uncut at all times of the year ensures invertebrates and mammals have some shelter.

Please note that the following suggestions provide general guidance for grassland management. Specific grassland types may require different maintenance. Landowners should seek specialist advice where appropriate. The project does not take responsibility for any loss or damages caused by these recommendations.

Maintenance considerations

Cutting and nutrient control

• When cutting for hay, remove all cuttings from the site as these can create a mulch layer which can choke grasses beneath and supress less competitive plant species
• Avoid inappropriate cutting particularly when wildflowers are in bloom, or when birds are nesting between March and July

Grazing management

• Avoid soil poaching by carefully managing stocking densities and grazing duration. During wet conditions, consider removing livestock or reducing grazing pressure
• Avoid overgrazing - whether managing grassland as a species-rich pasture or hay meadow, excessive grazing can reduce botanical diversity and prevent plants from flowering and setting seed

Weed and invasive species control

• Monitor the extent of competitive species such as nettle, dock and thistle. Management may be required where these species begin to dominate the sward and reduce botanical diversity
• Remove Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS). Use locally sourced soil to reduce the likelihood of introducing invasive species
• Maintain good biosecurity practices to minimise the risk of spreading disease, pests and invasive non-native species between sites

Practices to avoid on species-rich grassland

• Planting trees and cultivation on species-rich grassland
• Applying artificial inputs, for example chemical fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides

Biodiversity enhancement and restoration

Structure and habitat diversity

• Scrub species should be scattered and cover no more than 5% of grasslands. This should be lower on grasslands containing historic features
• Create wildlife refuges by leaving strips of grassland uncut around the edges of the field. These strips should be at least 2m wide

Species restoration and support

• Green haying and spreading brush harvested seed are effective techniques for restoring species-poor grassland. These methods reintroduce plants that would not otherwise recolonise naturally
• Support pollinators by ensuring the grassland contains plenty of pollen‑rich plants, such as red clover and black knapweed, which are favoured by bumblebees

Seasonal management considerations

Spring

• The hay meadow should generally be closed off to livestock during spring and early summer (typically mid-March to July), to allow grasses and wildflowers to grow, flower and set seed. The appearance of yellow rattle seedlings in the meadow is a key indicator that it is time to shut up the meadow.
• Avoid cutting for silage during this period as it may prevent wildflowers from flowering and setting seed.

Summer

• Cutting typically takes place anytime from mid-July but is often dictated by weather conditions leading to natural annual variations in cutting times which benefits the plant and invertebrate species.
• Cuttings should be removed where possible to prevent nutrient enrichment, which can favour competitive grasses at the expense of wildflowers.

Autumn

• Aftermath grazing or a second cut can take place during September to October. This helps maintain an open sward structure and is typically beneficial for biodiversity, as many plant and pollinator species have already completed their main flowering period

Winter

• Light to moderate winter grazing helps to control grass regrowth, leaving the sward more open so that light, water and air can reach germinating wildflower seedlings.
• Grazing pressure should be adjusted according to ground conditions, and livestock should be removed or stocking densities reduced if poaching occurs during wet conditions to avoid damage to soils and vegetation.

For more information, including when to cut your grassland and managing for biodiversity, visit:

• Meadow Management - Herefordshire Meadows
• Plantlife's guidance on how to manage a meadow

How will you know you have created a good, healthy habitat? Below are some indicators to look out for when managing your grassland. It is important to be aware of your grassland’s biodiversity and health, as this can alter your management practices.

A healthy grassland will have:

• Good soil structure that allows water to infiltrate readily, reducing water logging and surface runoff
• An abundance of insects and birds
• An increased resilience to extreme weather and a changing climate
• Soil has an earthy and sweet scent
• Wide variety of grasses and wildflowers and no dominant species with good populations of indicator species such as yellow rattle and oxeye daisy
• Well established sward with no bare patches or poaching
• Little encroachment of competitive species such as nettles and docks
• Evidence of natural regeneration and successful seed set
• Minimal or no presence of invasive non-native species (INNS)

Could your meadow become a seed donor?

If you have flower-rich meadows with soft grasses which might be suitable for harvesting to provide donor seed for local restoration projects from please get in touch with Herefordshire Meadows to arrange an assessment visit. Find out more about the seed harvesting process.

Get funding to manage your grassland

• Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)
• Countryside Stewardship Scheme

Learn more about rural grants and payments available.

Grassland charities and related organisations

Regional

• Herefordshire Meadows
• Herefordshire Rural Hub
• Herefordshire Wildlife Trust

National

• Plantlife
• National Trust
• English Heritage
• Natural England

Wildlife

• RSPB
• Butterfly Conservation
• Bumblebee Conservation Trust
• Buglife
• Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland

Visit the Natural Flood Management Hub to explore NFM Projects across the UK and view their Agricultural Land Management guide.

Visit the NFM evidence directory for more information about how working with natural processes reduces flood risk.