Grassland (Including agricultural land)
Semi-natural grassland is one of the most threatened habitats in the UK, with a reported 97% loss of semi-natural enclosed grasslands in England and Wales between 1930 and 1984[i].
Between 1960 and 2013, semi-natural grasslands in England declined by 47% overall[ii]. Dry acid grassland saw the greatest loss (85%) while the extent of upland calcareous grassland was at 39% loss[iii]. The Floodplain Meadows Partnership estimate that about 1,100 hectares (ha) remain of the classic floodplain meadow plant community in England and Wales[iv].
Most semi-natural grassland in England has been improved to benefit agricultural production, and the grasslands in Lancashire are no exception. The more natural and species-rich sites that remain are often small and isolated but can still support communities of specialised plant and animal species[v]. The annual value of carbon sequestration by vegetation in grassland is estimated to be approximately £0.2 billion[vi].
Undertaking a range of enabling measures in the Supporting Actions sections will contribute towards achieving the Grassland including agricultural land priorities. The data and evidence as well as engagement and collaboration ones are of particular interest.
Table 8: Pressures and opportunities for recovery (grassland and agricultural habitats)
| Pressures | Example habitats affected | Broad species assemblages affected (including example species[1]) | Example opportunities identified |
|---|---|---|---|
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Climate change Land management detrimental to biodiversity Habitat loss and fragmentation Pollution, sediment deposition and nutrient enrichment Recreational impacts Invasive species |
Coastal and floodplain grazing marsh Calcareous grassland Lowland dry acid grassland Lowland meadows and pastures Purple Moor Grass and Rush Pastures and other fen Upland acidic grassland Waxcap (CHEGD) grasslands |
Arable & farmland (including grazed pasture, arable and Farmland Mosaic /Hedgerows) 11 shortlisted species including - Birds:
Plants:
Unimproved Grassland (including ancient grasslands, dry grasslands and hay meadows) 14 shortlisted species including - Invertebrates:
Plants:
Fungi:
Calcareous Grasslands 22 shortlisted species including - Invertebrates:
Plants:
Open Grassland Mosaics including lowland, coastal, upland, damp, acid, rich flower resource (botanically species-diverse) and verges 20 shortlisted species including - Mammals:
Invertebrates:
Plants:
Flushes /flushed grasslands 5 shortlisted plant species:
Marsh (including upland and lowland marsh/ fen and wet grassland) 12 shortlisted species including - Birds:
Plants:
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Improve land management practises through farming networks and stronger engagement with the land manager community on nature recovery and agri-environment funding opportunities. Funding reforms to incentivise land managers. Establish collaborative nature recovery programmes like the Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme and promote and support new and existing farming clusters/networks. Create a map and directory of green hay donors and donor sites that can provide the seed source to support hay meadow recovery projects. Create a directory of contractors who specialise in using smaller tractors and mowers for sites with limited accessibility to maintain low nutrient levels. Reduce verge (and some amenity grasslands) cutting regimes to increase sward diversity |
Table 9: Grassland priorities, potential measures, and associated benefits
| Priority | Measure | Shortlist species benefited[2] | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
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G1. Ecologically important grasslands preserved and managed for biodiversity. |
G1.1 - Create and maintain conditions to allow thriving, resilient and dynamic populations of waders important to Lancashire dependent on key habitats including grasslands, peatland and arable land. |
Mammals:
Birds:
Invertebrates:
Plants:
Grassland fungi assemblage (for example, waxcaps and earthtongues):
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National objectives and targets: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 11, 12 Wider benefits:
Other linked LNRS Priorities: AW1, AW3, C1, C3, G2, G3, P2, P5, |
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G1.2 - Secure appropriate management of grasslands with high biodiversity value such as ancient permanent grasslands and grasslands rich in plant species, fungi, or invertebrates (for example, conservation grazing, preservation of undisturbed and uncultivated soils and maintenance of low nutrient levels, appropriate sward structure and hydrological conditions). |
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G1.3 - Secure appropriate conservation management of known fungi-rich grasslands, including (for example) preserving undisturbed soils with no cultivation, no nutrient inputs, maintaining suitable sward heights to allow fruiting and restricting scrub/tree encroachment. |
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G1.4 – Enhance grasslands by inoculating sites with appropriate plant species from suitable agreed donor sites. |
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G1.5 - Produce a local directory of resources to aid grassland management, facilitate sharing of equipment and access to appropriate grazing stock and seed donor sites. |
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G1.6 - Undertake suitability assessments and grassland fungi surveys (fruit body or DNA) on long-established semi-improved and unimproved grasslands (including botanically species poor examples) subject to any proposal or land-use change which could disturb the soil or increase nutrient levels in the soil (such as tree planting, other habitat creation requiring soil disturbance, change in agricultural use, excavation, ploughing, nutrient enrichment, development etc) and use this information to assess importance and inform decision making, to ensure the conservation of ancient and important grasslands |
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G2. A connected network of biodiverse grassland habitats. |
G2.1 - Enhance habitat, for example, good, semi-improved grasslands to priority habitat, and create biodiverse grasslands buffering and connecting important habitats, through appropriate management including low nutrient inputs, species and sward diversification as well as conservation grazing and mowing regimes. |
As above |
National objectives and targets: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16 Wider benefits:
Other linked LNRS Priorities: AW1, AW3, C1, C3, G1, G3 P2, P5, U2, U3, U4 |
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G2.2 – Enhance grasslands by inoculating sites with appropriate plant species from suitable agreed donor sites for example where natural re-colonisation is unlikely. |
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G2.3 - Maintain and enhance biodiverse grassland verges such as identified biodiversity verges and wildflower verges which may be particularly valuable in aiding connectivity, including appropriate mowing regimes to enable flowering/seeding and removal of arisings. |
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G2.4 - Create biodiverse grassland verges in suitable locations to enhance habitat connectivity, for example, through species and sward diversification, conservation mowing regimes to enable flowering / seeding and removal of arisings. |
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G3. Sustainably managed agricultural land with maximised biodiversity value, generating wider environmental benefits. |
G3.1 - Manage soils for enhanced biodiversity and improved soil health for example by reducing compaction, winter cover crop, crop and grazing rotation, produce a soil management plan. |
Mammals:
Birds:
Reptiles:
Amphibians:
Plants: (Arable assemblage):
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National objectives and targets: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16 Wider benefits:
social, cultural and educational Other linked LNRS Priorities: AW1, C2, C3, G1, G2, P5, U2 |
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G3.2 - Appropriately manage for arable species assemblages such as leave buffer strips, beetle banks, conservation headlands, maintain overwintering feeding habitat, overwinter stubble and field corners. |
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G3.3 – Create habitat within farming landscapes such as tree planting in field corners, individual trees, agro-forestry, field ponds and buffer habitats adjacent to watercourses and aquatic habitats. |
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G3.4 - Reduce the use of herbicide, pesticide and other agricultural chemicals. |
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G3.5 - Support and promote organic farming. |
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G3.6 - Reinstate historic field boundaries such as hedgerows, ditches and drystone walls. |
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G3.7 - Provision of habitat piles, nest and roosting boxes. |
[1] For the full list of the 534 species that have been identified as the most threatened or locally significant to prioritise for recovery action see the Evidence and Technical Information document – Appendix Ten
[2] For the full list of the 534 species that have been identified as the most threatened or locally significant to prioritise for recovery action see the Evidence and Technical Information document – Appendix Ten
[i] Fuller R (1987) The changing extent and conservation interest of lowland grasslands in England and Wales: a review of grassland surveys 1930-84. Biological Conservation 40: 281-300.
[ii] Ridding, L.E., Redhead, J.W. and Pywell, R.F., 2015. Fate of semi-natural grassland in England between 1960 and 2013: A test of national conservation policy. Global Ecology and Conservation, 4, Reference A) p.517.
[iii] Ridding, L.E., Redhead, J.W. and Pywell, R.F., 2015. Fate of semi-natural grassland in England between 1960 and 2013: A test of national conservation policy. Global Ecology and Conservation, 4, Reference B) p.522.
[iv] Floodplain Meadows in LNRS Key facts and background Feb 2024.
[v] Grassland Thematic Habitat Group Final report, August 2024.
[vi] Plant biosecurity strategy for Great Britain, 2023 to 2028.