| Unimproved Neutral Grassland -Wiltshire |
|
||
| LBAP Home | Habitats | Common themes |
|
||
| Similar SW LBAPs | Regional Plan | UK National Plan | Link to LBAP |
| Neutral Grassland | none | bap title |
|
 
|
||||
| Extent/Distribution The UK Biodiversity Action Plan Habitat Statement (1995) indicates that there are now less than 15,000 ha of species-rich neutral grassland remaining in England and Wales. Of this, less than 4,000 ha of MG5 grassland survives and less than 1,500 ha of MG4. A more up to date figure from DEFRA indicates that there are now 8,500 hectares of species rich neutral grassland in England. In Wiltshire, the lack of a Phase 1 Survey for the county makes estimates for overall cover of unimproved neutral grassland difficult. Known sites which have been found to meet the criteria for designation as SSSIs and/or recognition as Wildlife Sites (also known as Sites of Nature Conservation Interest) amount to just over 500 ha, of which c. 150 ha is MG4 grassland and c. 350 ha is MG5. This represents 10% and 8% respectively of the remaining UK resource of these two key neutral grassland communities. New sites continue to be discovered, particularly through the work of the Wildlife Sites Project and as a consequence of surveys carried out in relation to development proposals. Unimproved neutral grassland in Wiltshire, and the UK generally, has suffered a gross quantitative loss of the resource, a qualitative degradation, and a fragmentation of its distribution. This brings an increased risk of species extinctions in the small remnant areas. The current factors responsible are: Agricultural improvement through herbicide, pesticide, fertiliser and slurry application and conversion to arable and grass leys. Decline in the use of species-rich pasture and hay in modern farming practice and a shift from hay-making to silage production. Supplementary stock-feeding, associated with increased stocking levels, which can lead to nutrient enrichment and damage to the sward structure through localised poaching. Over-grazing, particularly by horses and ponies. Scrub and bracken invasion as a consequence of under-grazing. Planting up with trees. Development for roads, housing or leisure facilities. Lowering of the water table as a consequence of land-drainage, gravel extraction in the floodplain or surface and ground water abstraction. The lack of a Phase I Survey in Wiltshire makes it difficult to accurately measure the overall extent of unimproved neutral grassland in the county and impossible to estimate the remaining area of degraded and semi-improved neutral grassland. This habitat is now covered by the new Environmental Impact Regulations, effective from February 2002. This may provide some protection from significant damage. 1.Protect the remaining unimproved neutral grassland resource and prevent any further losses. 2. Secure all existing conservation-managed neutral grassland sites over 0.5 ha in favourable and sustainable management. 3. Restore semi-improved and degraded areas of neutral grassland especially where they abut, link or buffer existing unimproved habitat. 4. Promote awareness amongst landowners and managers of the importance of unimproved neutral grassland to wildlife and the action needed to maintain and restore it. 5. Determine the current extent of all semi-improved and degraded neutral grassland in Wiltshire in order to provide the factual basis for a targeted programme of restoration.
[no information currently available] Policy and legislation Seek to strengthen legislation on SSSIs in order to secure better protection and management of unimproved neutral grasslands. (partly achieved by Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000). LEAD:DEFRA, EN PARTNERS:WWT, RSPB,FWAG, NT, NFU, CLA Ensure inclusion of policies within Structure Plans, Local Plans, Transport Plans, Waste Local Plans and Mineral Plans that ensure new development does not adversely affect the nature conservation value of unimproved neutral grasslands. LEAD: LAs PARTNERS:EN, WWT,RSPB
Management
Ensure that agri-environment schemes such as Countryside Stewardship continue to target neutral grasslands as a priority and are adequately resourced to do so. LEAD DEFRA PARTNERS:WWT,FWAG, EN,NFU, CLA, RSPB, NT Establish a Wiltshire Grazing Animals Project to promote the availability and networking of a local grazing resource for conservation grassland including unimproved neutral grasslands. LEAD: EN PARTNERS: WWT, FWAG Seek the resources necessary to acquire all remaining areas of unimproved MG4 neutral grassland not already in conservation management. LEAD: WWT PARTNERS:EN, HLF,LAs Seek the resources necessary to acquire all substantive remaining areas of unimproved MG5 neutral grassland not already in conservation management. LEAD: WWT PARTNERS EN, HLF,LAs Ensure, via the development control process, that site protection and ongoing conservation management are secured for neutral grassland sites affected by development. LEAD:LAs PARTNERS:WWT, EN Put in place management systems and programmes of work to ensure that favourable management condition is achieved for all existing unimproved MG4 neutral grassland SSSIs already in conservation management. LEAD:EN PARTNERS:WWT,GWCF Put in place management systems and programmes of work to ensure that favourable management condition is achieved for all existing unimproved MG5 neutral grassland SSSIs already in conservation management. LEAD:EN PARTNERS: WWT, Cotswold AONB Establish restoration programmes targeted at 30% of significant stands of semi-improved neutral grassland outside but linking to SSSIs:WWT LEAD: PARTNERS: RSPB, EN. Research
and monitoring
In the absence of a Phase 1 Survey for Wiltshire, carry out or commission a survey of all semi-improved neutral grassland in the county. LEAD:WSBRC/WWT PARTNERS: EN, LAs Education and awareness
raising
Seek all opportunities for presenting neutral meadow and pasture conservation in the popular and scientific press and media. LEAD: ALL Encourage public access for the quiet enjoyment and observation of wildlife on unimproved neutral grasslands. LEAD: WWT PARTNERS: EN Maintain an ongoing programme of visits to owners and managers of neutral grassland sites with a view to raising awareness of the importance of the resource, providing advice and offering support. LEAD: EN(SSSIs), WWT,(Wildlife Sites) PARTNERS: FWAG,GWCF, NFU,CLA, Cotswold, AONB, DEFRA Produce "best practice" materials to assist in advising owners and managers of neutral grassland sites. LEAD: WWT PARTNERS: EN, FWAG . no information currently available |
| Home page |