LOWLAND CALCAREOUS GRASSLAND
ACTION PLAN
The Dry Grasslands Sub Group of the
Northamptonshire Biodiversity Partnership Group has developed this Plan. The
group comprises representatives from English Nature, Forestry Commission,
County Recorders, the Wildlife Trust
for Northamptonshire and interested individuals.
Lead Agencies: Public Sector English Nature
Voluntary
Sector The Wildlife Trust
Limestone grassland has never been a common
habitat type in Northamptonshire, being limited to areas where thin soils have
developed over limestone outcrops. Although the extent of the habitat has been
reduced, some of the more important areas remaining in the county are man-made,
either quarry sites or cuttings where the upper strata have been removed
exposing the limestone beneath. Such areas only contribute to the biodiversity
of the county where natural re-colonisation has been allowed to occur.
Habitats included in this plan:
Lowland
calcareous grasslands
Associated Plans:
Quarries and
Gullets
The Built
Environment
Roadside
Verges
Lowland Mixed
Woodland
2.1 Definitions
2.1.1 Lowland
Calcareous Grasslands
The definition of calcareous grasslands covers
a range of plant communities in which calcicole (limestone-loving) plants are
prominent. Within Northamptonshire the NVC communities CG2 (Festuca ovina – Avenula pratensis
grassland), CG3 (Bromus erectus grassland),
CG4 (Brachypodium pinnatum grassland)
and CG5 (Bromus erectus - Brachypodium
pinnatum grassland) (Rodwell, 1992) are known to occur. CG3 grassland is
very much the predominant type, although this community is often the result of
undergrazing. Additionally MG1 (Arrhenatherum
elatius) type grasslands with a high proportion of calcicoles may have
developed from CG type grasslands through lack of appropriate management. For
example, MG1 is very common on the parts of road verges which are not cut.
Lowland calcareous grasslands are developed on
shallow lime-rich soils generally overlying limestone rocks. There are no chalk
formations in Northamptonshire. Nationally, calcareous grasslands are typically
managed as components of pastoral or mixed farming systems, supporting sheep,
cattle or sometimes horses; a few examples are cut for hay.
The flora of calcareous grasslands in
Northamptonshire includes nationally rare and scarce species such as Spotted
Cat’s ear (Hypochoeris maculata) and Fragrant orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea). The invertebrate
fauna contains nationally notable species like the Small blue butterfly (Cupido minimus) which is found on two sites (one of which is a disused railway that
is likely to be lost due to reinstatement of the railway line), and the ground
beetle (Harpalus obscurus). These
grasslands also provide feeding or breeding habitat for a number of scarce or
declining birds such as the Skylark (Alauda
arvensis) and Barn owl (Tyto alba).
Scrub is frequently associated with calcareous
grassland and can contribute to local biodiversity by providing shelter and
nectar for invertebrates and scrub edge conditions suitable for species such as
the ground beetle (Harpalus punctatulus).
Scrub also provides breeding habitat for bird species such as Linnet (Carduelis cannabina). A small amount of
scrub on a calcareous grassland site is usually beneficial to wildlife, however
the scrub cover should not be allowed to increase to the detriment of the
grassland. Scrub control is necessary on many sites.
Example One: The Scrub Fields Local Nature Reserve, Northampton.
Grid Ref: SP765640
The Scrub
Fields Local Nature Reserve is a good example of calcareous grassland that was
once part of a pastoral farming system. It is now in an urban area and is
managed by the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire,
Northamptonshire and Peterborough. The Scrub Field contains species
characteristic of limestone grassland such as Greater knapweed (Centaurea
scabiosa) and its parasite knapweed broomrape (Orabanche elatior). The grassland is managed through cutting but
the Wildlife Trust intends to introduce winter grazing. Encroaching scrub is
removed while established scrub is managed to the benefit of birds and
invertebrates.
Example Two: Collyweston Quarries SSSI, north west of Corby. Grid
Ref: TL004038
This was an
open cast quarry in the Middle Ages. The quarry has been colonised by calcicolous
plants and can now be considered established limestone grassland. Collyweston
Quarries is managed through winter sheep grazing and scrub control. Species
found here include Purple milk – vetch (Astragalus danicus) and Dyer’s greenweed (Genista
tinctoria).
2.1.2 Quarries
and Gullets
Many of the remaining calcareous grasslands in
Northamptonshire are on former quarry sites. The majority of these sites are in
the south of the county (Cosgrove and Charlton for example) and in the north
(Weldon for example).
Example Three: Twywell Gullet SSSI, near Kettering. Grid Ref:
SP945776
Quarrying for
Ironstone has produced a range of habitats on the exposed underlying limestone
that remains. On the more gentle slopes and spoil heaps limestone grassland is
established. The steeper gullet slopes support species associated with
disturbance and early succession such as the nationally notable flea beetle (Longitarsus ganglbaueri). The
established limestone grassland is grazed while scrub encroachment on the gullet
slopes is monitored and controlled.
2.1.3 Disused
Railway Lines and Cuttings
A significant number of calcareous grassland
sites are disused railway cuttings.
Example Five: Woodford Halse Pocket Park. Grid Ref: SP540517
This railway
cutting is both a pocket park and a nature reserve. As well as the more common
limestone species, the site also supports populations of Meadow saxifrage (Saxifraga granulata) and Twayblade (Listera ovata). The established scrub is used for breeding by a range of birds,
and management is aimed at maintaining the balance between the scrub and the
grassland.
2.2 International / National Status
Current estimates put the amount of lowland
calcareous grassland remaining in the UK at around 33,000 to 41,000ha. Nationally
the cover of lowland calcareous grassland has suffered a sharp decline in
extent over the last 50 years and Northamptonshire has mirrored this trend.
2.3 Local Status
English Nature surveys in Northamptonshire in
the late 1980s and early 1990s indicate that around 350ha of unimproved
calcareous grassland remains in Northamptonshire.
Spotted cat’s-ear (Hypochoeris maculata)
and Small blue (Cupido minimus)
3.2 Local Priority Species
Hairy rockcress (Arabis hirsuta), Common
whorl-snail (Vertigo pygmaea).
See Appendix 4 Dry
Grasslands and Heaths Priority Species for full lists.
·
Agricultural intensification, including the use
of fertilisers and pesticides (spray drift and run – off from adjacent land may
also be a problem), ploughing and reseeding.
·
Lack of appropriate management, such as lack of
or overgrazing. This results in the increasing dominance of coarse grasses,
tall herbs and invasion by scrub, leading to losses in calcareous grassland
flora and fauna.
·
Loss of habitat due to development such as
mineral extraction, road building, housing and landfill. In some cases mineral
extraction may provide opportunities for re-creation of calcareous grassland.
·
Changes in management, such as altering the
grazing or cutting regime, can have a significant impact over time.
·
Fragmentation of the habitat brings increased
risks of species extinctions in the small remnant areas. Many of the county’s
remaining areas of calcareous grassland are so small and isolated that chance
extinctions due to unfavourable conditions, even if temporary, reduce the
biological diversity of the sites over time.
·
The small size and relative inaccessibility of
many sites can make appropriate management time consuming and uneconomic.
·
Recreational pressures bring about floristic
changes associated with soil compaction or soil erosion.
·
Localised afforestation.
·
Atmospheric pollution and climate change may be
having an effect on calcareous grassland; however, the influence of these
factors is not fully assessed nationally and very little is known locally.
5.1.1 International
and National
·
Several plant, invertebrate and bird species
associated with calcareous grassland are protected under the Schedules of the
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
·
A rough estimate suggests that approximately
20% by area of the remaining unimproved calcareous grassland in
Northamptonshire has SSSI stutus. This designation offers a degree of
protection from destruction of the site. Designated sites include Collyweston
Quarries and Helmdon Disused Railway.
5.1.2 Local
·
The County Wildlife Site designation covers
virtually all the remaining unimproved calcareous grassland in the county in
addition to those sites containing a mosaic of unimproved and semi-improved
grassland or the better examples of semi-improved calcareous grassland.
·
The County Structure Plan and district Local
Plans contain policies which help protect Sites of Special Scientific Interest
and County Wildlife Sites, including calcareous grasslands, from development to
varying degrees. Policies to protect archaeological features and parkland,
among others, can also protect important grasslands.
5.2 Management, Research
and Guidance
5.2.1 National
·
Initiatives such as Countryside Stewardship and
the English Nature Wildlife Enhancement Scheme have played a significant role in
effective management of calcareous grassland sites.
·
The condition of calcareous grassland SSSIs is
regularly monitored by English Nature.
5.2.2 Local
·
A significant contribution has been made by
various non-governmental organisations to the conservation of calcareous
grassland in the county through the establishment of nature reserves. Of the
Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves in Northamptonshire 2 are SSSIs and 2 are
Local Nature Reserves with calcareous
grassland a major or significant feature of their interest.
·
An area adjacent to Kingsthorpe Scrub Field
Local Nature Reserve is part of a limestone grassland re-creation project.
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OBJECTIVE |
ACTION |
LEAD AGENCY |
PARTNERS |
TARGET |
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6.1 |
Policy and Legislation |
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Objective One: Ensure that BAP species and their habitats
are given an appropriate level of protection in local plans |
Include habitat and species protection
policies in local plans and/or supplementary guidance |
Local Authorities |
Wildlife Trust English Nature |
By 2003 |
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Objective Two: Continue to protect species scheduled in the
Countryside and Wildlife Act 1981 |
Ensure the implementation of the Countryside and
Wildlife Act 1981 as it relates to species of calcareous grasslands |
English Nature |
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Throughout Action Plan Period |
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Objective Three: Halt all further loss of unimproved
calcareous grassland throughout the county |
Take account of the conservation requirements
of calcareous grassland when responding to consultations concerning the
development and adjustment of agri-environment schemes. Promote measures to
suit local needs and in particular target local concentrations of
semi-natural calcareous grassland |
|
BAP Partners |
By 2003 |
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Include specific calcareous grassland
protection policies within local plans or supplementary planning guidance |
Local Authorities |
Wildlife Trust |
By 2005 |
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Maximise the opportunities offered by Section
106 Agreements |
Local Authorities |
BAP Partners |
Throughout Action Plan Period |
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6.2 |
Habitat Creation |
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Objective Four: Encourage the creation and management of calcareous
grassland on former chalk/limestone extraction sites and at development sites
on calcareous substrates |
Establish 20ha of calcareous grassland of
wildlife value at carefully targeted sites by 2010. These efforts should be
concentrated on areas adjacent to existing sites |
Wildlife Trust |
Local Authorities, English Nature, Wildlife
Trust, RSPB |
By 2010 |
6.3 |
Site Safeguard and Management |
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Objective Five: Monitor extent of lowland calcareous grassland
of nature conservation importance |
Keep the extent of SSSI coverage under review
and notify further sites as necessary to fill significant gaps in coverage.
This process should take into account emerging BAP priorities, research and
surveys |
English Nature |
BAP Partners |
Throughout Action Plan Period |
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Notify English Nature of any sites considered
suitable for notification as SSSI |
|
BAP Partners |
Throughout Action Plan Period |
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Notify Wildlife Trust of sites considered suitable
for County Wildlife Site status |
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BAP Partners |
Throughout Action Plan Period |
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Objective Six: Secure the uptake of positive management by
owners and occupiers of SSSIs where necessary to achieve favourable
conservation conditions |
Within SSSIs, initiate rehabilitation
management for all significant areas of unimproved lowland calcareous
grassland in unfavourable conservation status by 2005 and achieve favourable
conservation status by 2010 |
English Nature |
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Initiate rehabilitation by 2005 Achieve favourable conservation status by
2010 |
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Objective Seven: Ensure appropriate management is undertaken
on sites managed by BAP Partners |
For stands at other localities, secure favourable
conservation status over 30% of the resource by 2005 |
The Landowner |
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Achieve favourable conservation status at 30%
of localities by 2005 |
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For stands at other localities, secure favourable
conservation status over 1000% of the resource by 2010. |
The Landowner |
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Achieve favourable conservation status at 30%
of localities by 2010 |
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Encourage the establishment of local networks,
e.g. for livestock provision, sharing of knowledge/expertise, machinery etc.
that will help to ensure sympathetic management is achieved |
BAP Partners |
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By 2004 |
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6.4 |
Advisory |
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Objective Eight: Promote appropriate management of sites |
Contact owners/managers of all calcareous
grassland County Wildlife Sites and inform them of the wildlife value of
their land and offer management/grant advice |
Wildlife Trust |
Local Authorities |
By 2005 |
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Liase with the relevant road verge management
bodies and landowners to ensure adoption of suitable management prescriptions |
County Council |
Wildlife Trust |
By 2003 |
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Encourage, develop and disseminate best practice
for unimproved calcareous grassland management |
BAP Partners |
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Throughout Action Plan Period |
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Encourage the establishment and use of
private and public demonstration sites, with special linkage to
agri-environment schemes |
Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group |
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At least one demonstration site to be
established by 2004. |
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6.5 |
Monitoring and Research |
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Objective Nine: Monitor management of sites of importance for
wildlife |
Re-survey all calcareous grassland County
Wildlife Sites every 5 years; use survey results to adjust management
activities of sites if necessary |
Wildlife Trust |
Local Authorities |
Throughout Action Plan Period |
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Objective Ten: Identify possibilities for habitat
re-creation |
Identify at least one mineral extraction site
for the creation of new calcareous grassland |
County Council |
Other Local Authorities, Wildlife Trust,
English Nature |
By 2005 |
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6.6 |
Communications and Publicity |
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Objective Eleven: Increase awareness of the importance of
calcareous grassland |
Use all available opportunities to gain
publicity for calcareous grassland conservation issues |
BAP partners |
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Throughout Action Plan Period |
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Objective Twelve: Publicise the progress made in delivering
this Action Plan in a BAP Annual Report |
|
BAP Partners |
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Annual |
Return to Dry Grasslands and
Heaths