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Habitat
Action Plans
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Improved/Semi-improved Grassland
Habitat
Improved grassland is that which has been modified by addition of fertilisers
or sown with grass seed mixes specifically for agriculture or recreation.
These areas tend to either be grazed or cut on a regular basis, and
addition of fertilisers stimulates the growth of competitive grasses,
resulting in low species diversity. Arable fields are generally low
in biodiversity, although they may provide cover for a few species.
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Lapwing,
Vanellus vanellus
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Current Status
The majority of grassland in the UK is improved, the total area having
increased by 90% in the last 50 years, usually at the expense of
unimproved, highly diverse grassland.
Improved grassland and arable land covers the majority of land in
the Tees Valley, a total of 28,501ha, which constitutes 48.68% of the
old Cleveland County. As the survey data do not distinguish between
improved grassland and arable land, the exact area of improved grassland
is unclear.
Improved grassland tends to be of low nature conservation value,
with low diversity of plant and invertebrate species, and is usually
only
temporary, being sown as part of an arable crop rotation. In some
areas it may be important as a winter feeding area for waterfowl,
including
some internationally important species, such as the barnacle goose
and wigeon. Ground nesting birds may also use these areas if machine
use is infrequent and stocking densities are low.
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Brown Hare,
Lepus europaeus, in
decline nationally.
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Improved/Semi-improved Grassland on the Greatham Site
The accompanying
map (PDF) shows the area of semi-improved
grassland on the site. It is a small area to the north of the site,
close to the northernmost pond. It is grazed by Brown Hare and Rabbit.
The vegetation is dominated by Perennial Rye Grass, Lolium perenne.
The grass sward height is much lower here than the unimproved grassland
on site, and the species diversity is greatly reduced. However, there
are still species which use this area such as Lapwing, Skylark, Brown
Hare and Rabbit.
Current Factors Affecting the Habitat Nationally
- More land being used for arable land and improved grassland
at the expense of semi-natural habitats.
- Use of agrochemicals and
fertilisers.
Key Improved/Semi-improved Grassland Species on the Greatham Site
| Flora |
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| Rye-grass |
Perennial Rye Grass is the dominant species on the improved
grassland on site. Key Species due to it being very characteristic
of this kind of habitat. |
White Clover
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Key Species as it is characteristic of this kind of habitat. |
| Fauna |
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| Brown Hare |
Local and UK BAP Species. Under-recorded, well-noted
on industrial grasslands around the north Tees. Widespread in Britain
but numbers have been declining since early 1960’s. Breeds
on site. |
| Stoat |
Local and UK BAP Species. Breeds on site. |
| Weasel |
Local and UK BAP Species. Breeds on site. |
| Lapwing |
Local and UK BAP Species. Breeds on site. Important conservation
species nationally. |
| Skylark |
Local and UK BAP Species. Breeds on Site. Has been in
decline over last 10-20 years. |
| Swallow |
Local and UK BAP Species. Breeds on site. Commmon on
site in
summer. |
Management Plan For Improved/Semi-improved Grassland
on Greatham Site
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Skylark, Alauda arvensis,
have
been in decline nationally over
the last 10-20 years. Skylark
breed on the Greatham site.
Habitat management of
improved grassland on site
could increase their numbers.
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Continue monitoring of key improved grassland action species, in order
to assess population size and distribution.
- Undertake general monitoring of the improved grassland area to
assess what other species use the area, especially noting any sightings
of stoat or weasel. Note numbers and sightings of key fauna.
- Investigate the possibility of inserting boundary features such
as hedgerow along the edge of the improved grassland area, on the
eastern side where the fencing borders the road. This would create
a valuable reservoir for wildlife, in an area generally low in biodiversity.
Action Plans for Key Species
The 2 key species for improved/semi-improved grassland on the Greatham
site, for which Species Action Plans have been prepared, are:
These 2 species will act as ‘indicator’ species to determine
the status of the habitat.
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