Neutral Grassland- Exmoor
LBAP Home Habitats Common themes
Similar SW LBAPs Regional Plan UK National Plan Link to LBAP

Cotswold WP

Mendips

Taunton Deane

Neutral Grassland

none

 Exmoor LBAP
Key factors
Glossary  

Extent/Distribution

The Exmoor Grassland Survey of 1990 has identified the National Park as containing a very significant resource of neutral grassland. In addition to pristine sites, there is a large resource of semi-improved neutral grassland, which, whilst being less diverse, still contains a reasonably ÒnaturalÓ mix of species and could become increasingly important given appropriate management. The latter is also included within the scope of this Action Plan. Though this survey has provided a useful starting point, it is now known that a number of sites were missed or incorrectly classified, and that sites have also since been destroyed. There is thus an urgent need for the inventory to be updated and refined.

Key sites:

Higher Bumsley and Skilly Cottage.
Ranscombe .
Pennycombe Water.
Exe Valley above Winsford.
Ashway.
Northcombe.

Threats

  • Tree planting schemes are very often targeted at neutral grassland habitats.

  • Neutral grasslands continue to be lost due to fertilising and ploughing.

  • Neutral grasslands are easily missed during surveys and consequently, important sites may be incorrectly identified and subject to inappropriate management.

  • Many neutral grasslands are overgrazed, resulting in an excessively short sward, or even poaching.

  • A few neutral grasslands are no longer grazed, resulting in a rank, grass-dominated sward which is of lower biodiversity interest.

  • The use of persistent veterinary chemicals can greatly reduce the diversity and biomass of the important dung invertebrate community.

Action Plan Objectives

OBJECTIVE 1

To maintain all high quality MG5 in favourable condition.

TARGET: Ongoing.


OBJECTIVE 2

To encourage the reversion of semi-improved MG6 grassland to MG5.

TARGET: 200 ha by 2010.

OBJECTIVE 3

To increase our knowledge of the importance of neutral grassland for wildlife.

TARGET: By 2005.

OBJECTIVE 4

Maintain and enhance populations of key species of conservation concern.

TARGET: Ongoing.

OBJECTIVE 5

Increase public awareness and appreciation of neutral grassland.

TARGET: Ongoing. Key sites: Higher Bumsley and Skilly Cottage. Ranscombe. Pennycombe Water. Exe Valley above Winsford. Ashway. Northcombe.

Action Plan Targets

[ see above ]

Current Action

  • The majority of neutral grassland sites are entered into the Exmoor ESA scheme.

  • New prescriptions in the Exmoor ESA scheme promote positive management which aims to enhance the interest of neutral grasslands.

  • ENPAÕs FCS promotes sensitive management of a number of important neutral grasslands.

  • Some neutral grassland at Ashway is included within the Barle Valley SSSI and is subject to an EN top-up management agreement.

  • SWT funded a three-year survey, being undertaken by SERC, which assessed the importance of unimproved grasslands for fungi.

  • The majority of neutral grassland sites are identified as CWS, and SWT Wildlife Liaison Team are visiting owners / occupiers to give advice on management of the sites.

Proposed Action

Policy and legislation

no data currently available

Management

Enter all eligible CWS semi-improved neutral grassland into at least Tier 1 Part 2B of the ESA scheme (by 2010).

PARTNERS: MAFF; SWT; ENPA.

Enter 200 ha of CWS semi-improved grassland into Tier 1 Part 3 (by 2010).

PARTNERS: MAFF.


Promote uptake of ESA Unimproved Grassland Management Plan on sites with high quality neutral grassland and/or important biodiversity species (10 sites by 2005, a further 10 sites by 2010).

PARTNERS: MAFF.

Resist planting of trees on all unimproved neutral grassland (ongoing).

PARTNERS: FC; ENPA; SWT; EN.

Ensure all SSSI/CWS neutral grassland sites are in ELMS (by 2010).

PARTNERS: ENPA; SWT.

Promote non-damaging use of veterinary chemicals on all SSSI/CWS neutral grasslands (by 2010).

PARTNERS: ENPA; EN; SWT; DWT; MAFF.

Ensure all non-SSSI neutral grassland is designated as CWS where it meets selection criteria (by 2002).

PARTNERS: SERC; DWT/DBRC.


Research and monitoring


Produce an inventory of all important neutral grassland sites using GIS-database, including an assessment of unimproved/semi-improved status (by 2003).

Partners: ENPA; SERC; DWT/DBRC.

Survey the invertebrate fauna of neutral grassland and identify important sites (by 2003).

PARTNERS: ENPA; EN; ENHS; BC.

Make recommendations for management to be incorporated into ELMS based on the Grassland Fungi Project findings (by 2001).

PARTNERS: SWT; ENPA


Monitor and review impact of ESA in maintaining and improving neutral grassland and make improvements where appropriate (ongoing).

PARTNERS: ENPA.

Advisory


Provide advice to all CWS owners of important neutral grassland on the importance of the habitat and its management (by 2002).

PARTNERS: SWT; DWT; ENPA.


Organise training event for ESA field staff on the wildlife value of unimproved grassland and appropriate management (by 2001).

PARTNERS: MAFF; ENPA; SWT; DWT; EN.



Education and awareness raising

no information currently available


Progress

no information currently available

Home page