SA 1 - Identify and highlight the presence of existing species-rich grasslands

Code

SA 1

Supporting action

Identify and highlight the presence of existing species-rich grasslands

Description

Species-rich grasslands, including acid, calcareous and neutral grasslands, are important open habitat reservoirs of biodiversity and focal points for restoration across the landscape such as in the Wye Valley. Understanding their locations will facilitate work to help restore and showcase these valuable habitats into the future. These grasslands can be identified through aerial mapping, GIS analysis, examining local records and targeted site surveys.

Wider environmental benefits

Supporting health and cultural services Improving soil health Promoting nature friendly farming

Priority

Herefordshire’s open habitats are enhanced, expanded and reconnected

Priority description

Open habitats form a key part of Herefordshire’s largely rural landscape (not to be confused with ‘Open Mosaic Habitats on Previously Developed Land’) and are a valuable set of habitats with a unique biodiversity supporting a variety of important species such as the curlew and great burnet. The term open habitats encompasses a variety of meadows and pastures of varying types depending on the underlying soil and geological conditions. Acid grasslands occur in places such as the Malvern Hills and neutral grassland can be found across the county, with a particularly good example at Lugg Meadows Nature Reserve near Hereford. The rarest grassland in Herefordshire is calcareous grassland, which can be found in the Wye Valley on limestone rocks. Open habitats continue to be depleted and suffer from a myriad of pressures such as urbanisation, pollution, over and under-grazing and agricultural intensification. A significant additional risk is their anonymity: species rich grasslands are frequently in suboptimal management, often appearing unexceptional to all but the specialist. This makes them vulnerable to unintended damage. They are also at risk from climate change and invasive plant species. Increasing the extent of open habitats and their interconnectivity improves their resilience to pressures, such as climate change, and helps to provide additional high-quality habitat for a variety of species.