
	Where results make sense

Topic: Calcareous grassland

Related Topics

Downland

Isle of Wight AONB

Southern England Chalk Formation

Chalk

Chilterns

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Plagioclimax

Escarpment

Biodiversity

Olive tree

Southampton, England

Isle of Wight

England

Stonehenge

English Channel

	Calcareous grassland - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
		Calcareous grassland (or alkaline grassland) is an ecosystem associated with thin basic soil, such as that on chalk and limestone downland.
		Plants on calcareous grassland are typically short and hardy, and include grasses and herbs such as trefoil.
		Calcareous grassland is an important habitat for insects, particularly butterflies, and is kept at a plagioclimax by grazing animals, usually rabbits.
	en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Calcareous_grassland (135 words)

	Untitled Document
		species-rich grassland on limestone outcrops with shallow soils.
		Calcareous grassland is a rare habitat covering less than 0.1% of NI (936 ha), (Table below).
		Loss of Calcareous grassland was mainly by scrub colonisation or conversion to agricultural grassland.
	www.science.ulst.ac.uk /nics/PRIMARY/SENT/s06.htm (156 words)

	A Guide To Habitats In Ireland
		Calcareous grassland is restricted in its distribution and is now largely confined to the steep slopes of esker ridges and moraines in the midlands, and to other areas with shallow and rocky limestone soils.
		Grasslands of old mine workings can correspond to the annexed habitat, 'Calaminarian grasslands of the Violetalia calaminariae (6130)' if they are judged to be of interest.
		To be included in the wet grassland category, the cover of grasses should exceed 50%, except in areas where rushes or small sedges predominate, and the total cover of reeds, large sedges and broadleaved herbs should be less than 50%.
	www.heritagecouncil.ie /publications/habitats/5.html (2518 words)

	[No title] (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-21)
		The proportion of Neutral grassland that remained unchanged in a square was negatively correlated to the percentage of the square occupied by Improved grassland in 1990 and positively correlated to the percentage of the square occupied by Heathland & moorlands (Table 2.12).
		Inversely, the proportion of Acid grassland that was converted to Improved grassland in a square was positively correlated to the percentage of the square occupied by Improved grassland and Arable & horticultural in 1990 and negatively correlated to the percentage of the square occupied by Heathland & moorlands.
		The proportion of Acid grassland that was converted to Arable & horticultural in a square was positively correlated to the percentage of the square occupied by Arable & horticultural in 1990 and negatively correlated to the percentage of the square occupied by Heathland & moorlands.
	www.cs2000.org.uk /FOCUS_reps/T1_Q2_ta.doc (1676 words)

	INTRODUCTION (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-21)
		Calcareous grasslands are found in Nottinghamshire mainly on the shallow lime-rich soils of the Magnesian Limestone ridge in the west of the County.
		Unimproved calcareous grasslands are characterised in Nottinghamshire by the occurrence and often dominance of upright brome, tor grass and meadow oat grass.
		Calcareous grasslands are often species-rich and support a range of typical and rarer species including stemless thistle, fragrant orchid, pyramidal orchid, common rockrose and rue-leaved saxifrage.
	www.nottsbag.org.uk /habitats/calcgrass.htm (1293 words)

	Tayside Biodiversity Partnership Local Action Plan (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-21)
		As such all the calcareous grassland in Tayside is considered to be Upland Calcareous Grassland at whatever altitude it occurs.
		This habitat comprises a diversity of grassland characterised by the prominence of calcicolous (calcium-loving) grasses and herbs.
		The montane forms of calcareous grassland are often enriched by a distinctive assemblage of Arctic-alpine plants such as Alpine lady’s mantle Alchemilla alpina, Alpine bistort Persicaria viviparum, Moss campion Silene acaulis, Yellow saxifrage Saxifraga aizoides, Purple saxifrage Saxifraga oppositofolia and Lesser club moss Selagainella selaginoides.
	www.taysidebiodiversity.co.uk /Section2_Farmland_F1.htm (1007 words)

	Hull LBAP : Grassland
		It includes enclosed and managed grassland such as hay meadows and pastures, a range of grasslands that are covered with water periodically, permanently moist or even waterlogged grassland, and unmanaged grassland.
		Grasslands improved for agricultural are found on the outskirts of the city and in the surrounding countryside.
		Grassland is important for plant species such as Cowslips, mammals such as the Harvest Mouse, and also amphibians, including Common Toads and Great Crested Newts.
	www.hull.ac.uk /HBP/ActionPlan/Grassland.htm (1755 words)

	Chalk Grassland HAP (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-21)
		Chalk grassland is one of the richest habitats of Western Europe, containing a great diversity of plants and animals.
		Chalk grassland is now largely confined to the steeper slopes, such as along valley sides and notably the steep north-facing escarpment.
		Shimwell D.W (1973) An introduction to the geography and ecology of chalk grassland.
	www.biodiversitysussex.org /chalkgrass.htm (5312 words)

	Biodiversity Action Plan - Calcareous Grassland
		In Leicestershire and Rutland, calcareous grassland is largely confined to the Jurassic Oolitic limestone in east Rutland and northeast Leicestershire.
		Calcareous grassland is particularly noted for the large number of flowering plant species associated with it.
		In areas where calcareous grassland still occurs creation of new areas of this habitat on land that has been used for mineral extraction should be actively encouraged.
	www.lrwt.org.uk /pp/silver/viewsilver.asp?id=595 (382 words)

	Action plan for Calcareous grassland
		Calcareous grasslands contain an exceptional diversity of rare plants, but are particularly characterised by a series of widespread grassland plants which are mainly restricted to lime rich soils.
		Calcareous grasslands support a rich and varied invertebrate fauna including many GB Red Data Book species as well as several species afforded protection under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
		Calcareous grasslands are found within in a large number of NNRs including Ben Lawers (Perthshire), Martin Down (Hampshire), Upper Teesdale (Co. Durham) and Parsonage Down (Wiltshire).
	www.ukbap.org.uk /UKPlans.aspx?ID=52 (884 words)

	Calcareous grassland - The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-21)
		Lowland calcareous (chalk) grassland developed under traditional farming practices, with sheep farming particularly associated with fine, short-grazed downlands in the south.
		Chalk grassland as a component of mixed farming is important for a number of rare and declining farmland bird species (some of then 'Red List' birds) such as stone-curlew, quail, corn bunting, whinchat, grasshopper warbler and skylark.
		Areas of chalk grassland that are heavily grazed by sheep or rabbits can support up to seven pairs in a square kilometre.
	www.rspb.org.uk /countryside/habitats/lowland/calcareousgrassland.asp (237 words)

	calcareous grassland (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-21)
		The total amount of unimproved and semi-improved calcareous grassland in Staffordshire is estimated at 172 ha, of this 29 ha is situated in SSSIs all of which is unimproved.
		Calcareous grassland in Staffordshire is mostly restricted by the natural and geological landscape.
		Calcareous habitat can occur elsewhere in the county resulting form human activity, this includes quarrying and the creation of limestone spoil heaps, concrete bases of buildings and limestone ballast along rail lines.
	www.sbap.org.uk /focal/habitats/calgld.htm (348 words)

	Orchids - Flora & Fauna of Lincolnshire (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-21)
		Rare on limestone grassland and banks in the southernmost part of the county.
		Local and declining species of calcareous grassland and banks, mainly in the south of the county.
		This is common and widespread in woods, hedgerows, grassland and wasteground throughout the county.
	www.bostonuk.com /visitors/nature/plants-orchids.htm (527 words)

	Earthworm responses to plant species loss and elevated CO2 in calcareous grassland (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-21)
		The objectives of this study were: (1) to quantify the effects of plant species' loss from designed calcareous grassland communities in northwestern Switzerland on the size and composition of earthworm communities, and (2) to evaluate how exposure of plant communities to elevated atmospheric CO2 might alter the effects of plant species' loss on earthworm communities.
		Further the results of this study demonstrate that a loss of plant species' from these calcareous grassland communities may also alter the age structure of earthworm communities, but not significantly influence their diversity or composition.
		Therefore, the disappearance of plant species from these native grasslands, as a result of ever increasing human activities, may be expected to lead to reductions in the size of earthworm communities and the ecosystem services they provide.
	www.iol.uni-bonn.de /deutsch/projekte/abstracts/hz4.htm (427 words)

	Tayside Biodiversity Partnership Local Action Plan (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-21)
		Calcareous grasslands contain an exceptional diversity of plants, many of which are uncommon or rare.
		Base-rich grasslands, although not as diverse as calcareous grasslands, still support a diverse range of plants, which in turn provide feeding and breeding areas for a wide range of insects (including numerous butterfly species), birds such as Black grouse Tetrao tetrix and small mammals.
		Although there is no detailed breakdown of grassland communities falling within the “herb-rich grassland” option, it is expected that the majority of these grasslands will be calcareous or base-rich.
	www.taysidebiodiversity.co.uk /Section2_Farmland_F1b.htm (1108 words)

	LOWLAND CALCAREOUS GRASSLAND ACTION PLAN (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-21)
		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.
		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.
		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.
	www.wildlifebcnp.org /northants-bap/Calcareous%20Grassland.htm (1783 words)

	Lowland Calcareous Grassland - Sedgemoor
		By far the largest concentration is found to the north of the district on a ridge of limestone from Brean Down on the coast to Cheddar Gorge on the eastern boarder of the district.
		Other sites with calcareous grassland in the district are smaller in patch size and tend to be fragmented by more intensive agriculture.
		The purchase and management of calcareous grassland remains a priority of the Somerset Wildlife Trust; a site on the Mendip ridge was purchased by the Trust in 1998.
	www.swbiodiversity.org.uk /Habitats/Low_cal/low_cal_sedge.htm (834 words)

	Grasslands (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-21)
		The calcareous grasslands that occur on chalk or limestone are a familiar feature of the South West landscape.
		Chalk grassland in the South West is concentrated in Wiltshire and Dorset, and comprises a substantial proportion of the UK and European total.
		Unploughed calcareous grassland is also important for its wealth of prehistoric remains, as an attractive amenity for local people and tourists, and as a significant part of the South West farming economy.
	www.cheddarsomerset.co.uk /History/GrassLands.htm (263 words)

	Action plan for Lowland calcareous grassland
		These grasslands are now largely found on distinct topographic features such as escarpments or dry valley slopes and sometimes on ancient earthworks in landscapes strongly influenced by the underlying limestone geology.
		Lowland calcareous grassland is an important habitat for a number of priority invertebrate, plant and birds.
		Since Countryside Stewardship does not differentiate between upland and lowland calcareous grassland the figure presented for current expenditure is a proportion of the total expenditure equivalent to the area of lowland as compared to upland calcareous grassland.
	www.ukbap.org.uk /UKPlans.aspx?ID=12 (2506 words)

	Kent Biodiversity Action Plan - View Priority Habitat
		Lowland calcareous grassland is extremely rich in flora and associated fauna.
		Lowland calcareous grassland should also support an element of chalk scrub which is rich in shrub species and associated fauna, such as Nightingale.
		Downland is traditionally an intimate mosaic of calcareous grassland, chalk scrub and woodland.
	www.kentbap.org.uk /habitats/view/?hap=148 (554 words)

	Chalk downland
		In Hampshire, due to the exclusive occurrence of calcareous grassland on chalk, these grasslands are often referred to as chalk grasslands or downlands.
		Hampshire calcareous grasslands are one of the most important semi-natural habitats in the county being of key importance for 50 Hampshire priority species (see Appendix 1).
		The RSPB Lowland Calcareous Grassland Project is currently involved in the management of a number of sites in the west of the county.
	www.havantnature.ndirect.co.uk /downland.htm (3305 words)

	Salisbury Plain Life Project - Conference (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-21)
		As a result, approximately 14000 ha of herb-rich chalk grassland remains which supports 13 species of nationally rare and scarce plants, 67 species of rare and scarce invertebrates and is a site of international importance for birds.
		The conference will be of interest to managers of calcareous grassland and those with an academic, professional or personal interest in the issues surrounding the management of calcareous grassland habitats and species in Europe.
		We would very much like delegates directly involved in the management of calcareous grassland to contribute to a wider discussion of the management issues affecting calcareous grassland habitats across Europe, now and in the future.
	www.butterfly-conservation.org /ne/news/salisbury (517 words)

	Defra UK; ERDP - England Rural Development Programme
		To increase the extent of calcareous grassland on the downs, particularly where it will buffer or reinforce existing calcareous grassland and/or have the potential, in the long term, to develop into species-rich calcareous grassland.
		The ESA is noted for its few surviving areas of internationally important species-rich chalk grassland (many of which have SSSI status), which support a rich variety of wild flowers and associated invertebrate fauna, as well as breeding birds, such as lapwing and snipe.
		The wet grassland and the ditches in the valleys are also valuable habitats.
	www.defra.gov.uk /erdp/docs/national_pre03/annexes/annexx/sdrex2.htm (4098 words)

	The Countryside and Rights of Way act 2000 - appeal decision 3035 (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-21)
		As the Agency have stated that they have not exercised their discretion under section 4(5)(b) of the Act to treat land which is not open country as forming part of an area of such country, this part of the ground of appeal does not apply.
		Be that as it may, I note that the Agency say the site is open country and down consisting predominantly of calcareous grassland, and their surveyor says more than 75% of the site has qualifying vegetation.
		When the ECL report takes note of the sloping areas as well, it says the site’s predominant vegetation is semi-improved grassland more akin to improved than unimproved grassland (whilst its habitat summary says 31% is semi-improved calcareous grassland, its sketch map appears to show a much larger proportion).
	www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk /access/appeals/west/3035_decision.htm (1435 words)

	Lowland Calcareous Grassland
		A grassland restoration strategy (unpublished) has been produced by SWT to determine areas of potential restoration for the County.
		Ensure any examples of lowland calcareous grassland that meet the required criteria are given SBI status.
		Re-survey all good examples of lowland calcareous grassland in 2005 and 2010 to assess their condition.
	www.sbap.org.uk /haps/calgras.htm (426 words)

	SAC selection - 6211 Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies: on calcareous substrates ...
		It is confined to dry grassland on calcareous substrates in lowland England and is most widespread in the south.
		It is confined to dry grassland and woodland in southern England, with most populations being in Kent.
		Restricted to calcareous grasslands and dunes in southern England.
	www.jncc.gov.uk /protectedsites/sacselection/habitat.asp?FeatureIntCode=H6211 (1683 words)

Try your search on: Qwika (all wikis)