A species-rich sward with positive indicator species Yellow Rattle and Spotted orchid
Over the last few months Herefordshire Meadows have been delivering a project aimed at identifying, surveying and mapping some of the best species-rich meadows in the Wye Valley National Landscape, with funding from the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) Programme, administered by the WVNL on behalf of DEFRA.
This summer we have surveyed grassland at 15 land holdings where there were indications of high-quality grassland being present, and carried out surveys looking for the key characteristics and plants indicative of species-rich grassland. This includes the presence of species such as Black knapweed, ox-eye daisy, Cowslip and Common bird’s-foot trefoil, low levels of invasive weeds such as thistle and nettle, and a diverse sward with more than 30% coverage by wildflowers as opposed to grasses.
Much of the approximately 35ha (86 acres) surveyed was of high enough quality to be added to Natural England’s Priority Habitat Inventory of Lowland Meadows, which can be viewed on Magic Map, and passed the threshold for higher paying options under SFI, a welcome reward and recognition for landowners maintaining diversity in their grassland systems.
A plant identification and grassland survey training day was also delivered as part of the project, to provide people with some skills and confidence in identifying species-rich grassland themselves. Many thanks to our host Fiona Fyshe at Soller’s Hope, and our plant ID trainer Liz Brookes from Ecohab Wildflowers.
For a closer look at the thresholds and survey techniques for identifying species-rich grassland, visit our surveys and monitoring web page for Priority Habitat Inventory guidance, and if you have grassland which you think fits the bill do get in touch! Surveys under this FiPL funding project have now been completed, but Herefordshire Meadows offers a paid service for carrying out surveys, providing management advice, and identifying grassland eligible for the higher paying SFI options.
Grassland survey quadrat showing a high percentage coverage of broad-leaved herbs, and several positive indicator species.
Grassland survey quadrat with positive indicator species present – Cowslip and Betony
