Pasture New ... and Old

What is the key difference between unimproved and semi-improved grassland? The fundamental difference lies in their past and present management intensity. Unimproved grassland has experienced minimal impact from modern intensive agricultural practices, while semi-improved grassland has been modified by such methods, including artificial fertilisers , slurry, intensive grazing, herbicides, or drainage. Semi-improved is considered a transitional category. How does species diversity compare between unimproved and semi-improved grassland? Unimproved grassland is characterised by significantly higher species diversity, or a richer flora, compared to semi-improved areas. Ancient chalk grassland , a type of unimproved calcareous grassland, can support a remarkable number of species per square metre, indicating its age and lack of recent fertiliser application. Semi-improved grassland has a more restricted range of species and generally lower diversity than unimproved grassland in the same...

What are semi-natural grasslands and why are they degraded? Semi-natural grasslands are ecosystems that have developed and been maintained through a combination of natural processes and specific human management practices over centuries. They are considered "semi-natural" because their high biodiversity and ecological function are reliant on human activities like grazing , cutting , and controlled burning , rather than being solely driven by wild processes. These grasslands become degraded when human impacts like agricultural intensification, abandonment leading to woody plant encroachment, or pollution cause a loss of their characteristic biodiversity and ecological services. Can degraded semi-natural grasslands be returned to a purely "natural" state without human influence? No, the restoration of degraded semi-natural grasslands does not typically aim to return them to a hypothetical pre-human "natural" state maintained solely by wild processes. The ...

Why are grasslands considered a significant habitat in the Sidmouth area? Grasslands are considered a significant habitat in the Sidmouth area because they are a prevalent habitat type and support biodiversity. Out of fifty ' Sites of Nature Interest ' surveyed for the Sidmouth Nature project , eighteen (35.3%) were primarily classified as grassland habitats. These areas represent fragments of land that have avoided intensive development or agricultural improvement. Some sites are also being actively restored to grassland. These sites, particularly designated nature sites, can be species-rich and support various wildlife depending on soil conditions and management. Can all grassy areas be classified as grassland habitat sites in Sidmouth? No, not all grassy areas in Sidmouth are classified as true grassland habitat sites. While areas like the edges of sports pitches in The Byes or certain parts of Sidmouth Cemetery have long grass and support some wildlife, they are often con...

What do the associated plant species tell us about the soil chemistry of Sidmouth's grassland sites? The presence of certain plant species serves as an indicator of the underlying soil chemistry. While the National Vegetative Classification system categorises plants based on soil preferences ( acid , neutral , calcareous ), these naturally occurring communities aren't found in Sidmouth . However, the survey data still provides insights. For instance, Lincombe , situated where sandstones meet chalk cliffs , shows a dominance of calcareous plants, with around 65% of all recorded calcareous species found there. Peak Hill , on the acidic Upper Greensand , is home to four out of six recorded acid grassland plants . The widespread presence of neutral soil plants across sites, with an average of 20.7 per site compared to 11.9 for calcareous and just 1.5 for acidic, suggests that past agricultural practices, like the use of fertilisers and animal faeces , have largely neutralised th...

Which Sidmouth grasslands are considered stable and well-established? These are sites where the natural habitat has largely recovered from past human activity and now supports a rich diversity of plant and invertebrate species. Some of these areas may not have been significantly impacted by agriculture historically. Examples include Community Orchard , East Cliff , Farway, Lincombe, and Peak Hill . Current management practices on these sites are focused on maintaining their existing good condition, such as sheep grazing on Peak Hill. Which grassland sites in Sidmouth have already recovered well from previous agricultural use? These sites were used for livestock grazing in the past, which had less impact than crop cultivation. Grazing has mostly stopped, and now these areas are managed by cutting and removing the vegetation late in the season, similar to how hay meadows were traditionally managed. This approach has resulted in a dense and rich flora, supporting a vibrant invertebrate p...

What are The Knapp and Peasland Knapp? The Knapp is an 8-acre local nature reserve in Sidmouth, managed by the Sid Vale Association (SVA). It features diverse habitats including woodland, grassland, an orchard, and a pond, supporting a variety of wildlife. Peasland Knapp is a smaller, 3-acre nature reserve within The Knapp, also managed by the SVA. It contains rare uncultivated grassland, woodland, and scrub, known for its large number of yellow meadow ant hills . Both reserves are managed with a focus on conservation and are open to the public. What is the significance of the grassland at The Knapp and Peasland Knapp? The grassland areas at The Knapp are classified as unimproved or semi-natural grassland, retaining many native grasses and wildflowers due to minimal management and lack of fertilisers. They support a wide range of insects and mammals and feature indicator species like waxcaps, yellow meadow ant hills, and Cowslips. Peasland Knapp contains even rarer uncultivated grass...