Calcareous Grassland Habitats Flashcards
After WW1,
Patterns of farming changed. The use of fertilizer and neglect caused areas to lose their floral diversity.
Traditionally grazed by
Sheep during the day.
Rare plant species -
Military orchid & Chiltern gentian.
Ideal management technique is
Grazing - this removes vegetation more gradually and enables the invertebrate communities to remain in balance.
Where grassland has been neglected,
Treatments may include winter burning, cutting, or high density grazing for a short period of time.
Sheep are the best option,
They are light enough not to break the turf or cause poaching of the soil.
Summer grazing helps to reduce the
Coarse grasses and scrub, but may cause a reduction in nectar supply.
Winter grazing can be less harmful to
Invertebrates and may also create gaps for seedling colonisation.