- Semi-Improved Neutral Grassland
As defined by DEFRA in their Countryside Survey report (2000):
Found on soils that are neither highly acidic nor highly alkaline, Neutral and Semi-Improved Grasslands support a vegetation community that differs from Acid or Calcareous Grasslands. They do not contain calcifuge ('lime-avoiding') plants which as you'd expect are found on acid soils, nor do they contain calcicole ('lime-loving') plants associated with calcareous soils. Neutral and Semi-Improved Grasslands differ from Improved Grasslands in being less fertile and contain a greater diversity of herb and grass species. Unimproved and Semi-Improved Neutral Grasslands may sometimes be managed as hay meadows, pastures or for silage. Their typical rye grass coverage is less than 25%.
The following frames illustrate various Semi-Improved Neutral Grassland habitats dotted around the farm:
Below is a list of the species found in this habitat to date:
Common Name | Scientific Name |
Brown Silver-line Moth | Petrophora chlorosata |
Small Copper Butterfly | Lycaena phlaeas |
Silver Y Moth | Autographa gamma |
Crane-fly | Tipula maxima |
Yellow Dung Fly | Scatophaga stercoraria |
Cuckoo Spit Insect | Philaenus spumarius |
Field Grasshopper | Chorthippus brunneus |
Common Toad | Bufo bufo |
Birdsfoot Trefoil | Lotus corniculatus |
Bluebell | Endymion non scriptum |
Bugle | Ajuga reptans |
Changing Forget-Me-Not | Myosotis discolor |
Creeping Buttercup | Ranunculus repens |
Germander Speedwell | Veronica chamaedrys |
Greater Stitchwort | Stellaria holostea |
Herb Robert | Geranium robertianum |
Lesser Stitchwort | Stellaria graminea |
Meadow Buttercup | Ranunculus acris |
Mouse-Ear Chickweed | Cerastium vulgatum |
Red Campion | Melandrium dioicium |
Red Clover | Trifolium pratense |
White Clover | Trifolium repens |
Yellow Rattle | Rhinanthus minor |
Carnation Sedge | Carex panicea |
Cocksfoot | Dactylis glomerata |
Common Bent | Agrostis tenuis |
Common Couch | Agropyron repens |
Common Sorrel | Rumex acetosa |
Creeping Bent | Agrostis stolonifera |
Meadow Foxtail | Alopecurus pratensis |
Perennial Rye Grass | Lolium perenne |
Red Fescue | Festuca rubra |
Sheep's Fescue | Festuca ovina |
Smooth Meadow Grass | Poa pratensis |
Timothy | Phleum pratense |