Habitat Action Plans

Wetlands
Marsh and Reedbeds
Ponds (Standing Open Waters)
Saltmarsh
Streams and Ditches
Grazing Marsh
Grassland
Unimproved Neutral Grassland
Improved/Semi-improved Grassland

 

 

 

 

 


Unimproved Neutral Grassland

Habitat
Most grassland areas in the UK have been modified by addition of fertilisers and reseeding to produce a more productive sward for grazing livestock. Unimproved grassland is that which has not been modified and therefore contains a diverse and often colourful mix of herbaceous and grass species. This category covers a wide range of communities, found on soils of neutral pH, the composition of which is determined by the soil type, drainage and management. They are managed mainly as traditional haymeadows or pastures and are high in species diversity. Unimproved grassland may also have areas of scrub and occasional trees, and frequently exhibits local flushed areas.

Current Status
Unimproved grassland is a rare and threatened habitat estimated to cover less than 15,000ha of the UK. Their significance for biodiversity lies in the variety of plants and invertebrates which inhabit unimproved grasslands.

In the Tees Valley only 308ha or 0.53% of the land area is unimproved, a much larger area – 4,538ha is covered by semi-improved grassland, the majority of which is of lower botanical significance. Locally, species-rich unimproved neutral grassland is usually found as small areas of remnant habitat on the periphery of arable fields, or on areas difficult to cultivate.

These habitats are very threatened as the planning control system does not prevent the application of agrochemicals or grazing of livestock which may eventually lead to an elevated nutrient status, reducing the species diversity.

Unimproved Neutral Grassland on Greatham Site
The accompanying map (PDF) shows the unimproved neutral grassland on site. This type of habitat covers much of the site, and in places is overlapping into grazing marsh. To the north of the site there are drier areas where the habitat is solely unimproved grassland. To the east of the site, closer to the sea wall, the vegetation is a mixture of unimproved grassland and grazing marsh, as the ground is wetter here. The same is true to the south of the site. To the north of the site is an area of orchids situated in unimproved grassland. This area has been marked on the map. The unimproved grassland on the site provides cover, shelter and nesting sites, as well as food, for many species of birds and mammals. Some of these mammals, such as Common Shrew and Field Vole, are prey for larger mammals and birds of prey such as Kestrel.
The main grasses in this habitat are Sweet Vernal Grass, Red Fescue and False oat-grass. In parts of the vast unimproved grassland habitat on the Greatham site, there are areas of tall ruderal herb communities, dominated by thistle species.

Current Factors Affecting the Habitat Nationally

  • Agricultural intensification – addition of agrochemicals, increases in grazing intensity.
  • Abandonment and neglect, enabling encroachment of scrub.

Key Unimproved Grassland Species on the Greatham Site

Flora  
Crested Dog’s-tail Key Local BAP Species as it is characteristic of this kind of habitat. Found on drier areas of unimproved grassland.
Sweet Vernal Grass Key Local BAP Species as it is characteristic of this kind of habitat. Found on drier areas of unimproved grassland.
Red Fescue Key Local BAP Species as it is characteristic of this kind of habitat. Found on drier areas of unimproved grassland.
Yorkshire Fog Local BAP Species. Characteristic of wetter areas of unimproved grassland.
Meadow Foxtail Local BAP Species. Characteristic of wetter areas of unimproved grassland.
Rushes 5 rush species and 2 species of club-rush on site. Characteristic of wetter areas of unimproved grassland.
Sedges 5 species of sedge on site. Characteristic of wetter areas of unimproved grassland.
Flote-grass Characteristic of wetter areas of unimproved grassland.
Fauna  
Grey Partridge Local and UK BAP Species. Breeds on site. Red Data Book Species due to national decline.
Kestrel Local and UK BAP Species. Fairly common over the site but does not presently breed. Preys on grassland species such as shrews, voles etc.
Meadow Pipit Local and UK BAP Species. Breeds on site.
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.
Roe Deer Local and UK BAP Species. Breeds on site. Grazes on unimproved grassland.

Current Action
Deliberate use of traditional management on some sites.
Grey Partridge, Perdix perdix,
nest and take cover
in unimproved grassland.

Local Objectives
Maintain extent & quality of species – rich neutral grassland sites in the Tees Valley, restore degraded neutral grasslands to buffer these sites and restore the range of neutral grassland.

  • Protect and enhance existing area of species-rich neutral grassland.
  • Promote and encourage use of traditional management techniques.

Management Plan for Unimproved Grassland on the Greatham Site

  • Continue monitoring of key unimproved grassland action species, in order to assess population size and distribution. Species Action Plans for these key species have been included.
  • Ensure that any future development work considers the conservation interest of the unimproved grassland on site.
  • Undertake active management to ensure existing areas of species-rich neutral grassland remain, and to stop encroachment of scrub.
    Kestrel,
    Falco tinnunculus

Action Plans for Key Species
The 2 key species for unimproved grassland habitat, for which Species Action Plans have been produced, are:

  • Kestrel
  • Grey Partridge

These 2 species will act as ‘indicators’ for the unimproved grassland on the site, to determine its status, and any positive effects of the management plans.