Habitat Description
Lowland dry acid grassland occurs on nutrient-poor free-draining soils, overlying acid rocks or superficial deposits such as sands and gravels. In Northamptonshire it includes the following NVC communities:
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U1 Festuca ovina Agrostis capillaris Rumex acetosella (sheep's fescue common bent sheep's sorrel) grassland. U4 Festuca ovina Agrostis capillaris Galium saxatile (sheep's fescue common bent heath bedstraw) grassland. MG1 Arrhenatherum elatius (false oat-grass) grassland. |
U1 mostly occurs under scrub, on road verges or where rabbit grazing causes disturbance. U4 tends to occur in damper areas where rainwater filtering through sandstone encounters a layer of clay and flushes to the surface. MG1 is typical of a long-term lack of management, with coarser grasses dominating. However, it does tend to occur on sites which have not been seeded or heavily fertilised and these habitats are often easily recoverable with the right management.
Current UK Status and Trends
Substantial decline; less than 30,000 ha remaining. Severe decline in specialist species within sites.
Estimated Current Northants Resource
Approximately 200 ha.
Progress Towards BAP Targets 2002-2007
Initial scoping study to identify priority potential areas for habitat restoration and creation (see Figure AG2). Maintenance of current resource on Wildlife Trust Nature Reserves by grazing management.
Main Issues and Threats
General Strategy
Lead Partner
The Wildlife Trust
Associated National Priority Species
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Targets
Target Code |
Target Type |
Target Description |
Target Units |
Northants Baseline Resource |
Target |
By |
Unit Cost £ |
Total Cost £ |
NOR_LAG_T1 |
Maintain Extent |
Maintain the current extent of at least LWS-standard Lowland Dry Acid Grassland. |
Hectares |
220 |
No Loss |
2015 |
200/ha/yr |
44,000/yr |
NOR_LAG_T2 |
Restoration |
Restore 20 ha of Lowland Dry Acid Grassland to LWS-standard from semi-improved or neglected grassland by 2015. |
Hectares |
0 |
20 |
2015 |
830/ha |
16,600 initial |
NOR_LAG_T3 |
Expansion |
Establish 10 ha of LWS-standard Lowland Dry Acid Grassland from arable, improved grassland and coniferous plantation by 2015. |
Hectares |
0 |
10 |
2015 |
920/ha + 280/ha/yr |
9,200 initial + 2,800/yr |
Actions
Action Code |
Action Description |
Lead Partner |
Support Partner(s) |
Related Target |
NOR_LAG_HS_A1 |
Maintain 6.5 ha of acid grassland in the meadows at High Wood and Ramsden. |
The Wildlife Trust |
NOR_LAG_T1 | |
NOR_LAG_HS_A2 |
Identify Local Wildlife Sites that contain acid grassland within the South Daventry target areas and provide maintenance and enhancement advice to landowners. |
NBRC/Northamptonshire Biodiversity Partnership |
NOR_LAG_T1 & T2 | |
NOR_LAG_HC_A3 |
Identify Local Wildlife Sites within the South Daventry acid grassland target areas with potential to form acid grassland and target these for restoration/creation. |
NBRC/Northamptonshire Biodiversity Partnership |
NOR_LAG_T2 | |
NOR_LAG_HC_A4 |
Restore 1 ha of coniferous plantation in Lings Wood to LWS acid grassland standard on by 2015. |
The Wildlife Trust |
NOR_LAG_T2 | |
NOR_LAG_HC_A5 |
Restore 1ha of acid grassland at Sywell Country Park by grazing management by 2010. |
NCC |
The Wildlife Trust |
NOR_LAG_T2 |
NOR_LAG_HC_A6 |
Through section 106 agreements/new developments ensure that 8.5 ha of semi-improved or neglected grassland within an acid grassland target area is restored to LWS acid grassland standard. |
Local Authorities (Daventry District Council/South Northants Council) |
The Wildlife Trust |
NOR_LAG_T2 |
NOR_LAG_HC_A7 |
Restore 9.5 ha of semi-improved or neglected grassland to LWS standard acid grassland through the implementation of improved management. |
Natural England |
FWAG RNRP |
NOR_LAG_T2 |
NOR_LAG_HC_A8 |
Establish 2 ha of LWS standard acid grassland within 3 miles of High Wood by 2015. |
The Wildlife Trust |
NOR_LAG_T3 | |
NOR_LAG_HC_A9 |
Create 4 ha of LWS standard acid grassland through section 106 agreements/new developments from arable land or improved grassland sites by 2015. |
Local Authorities (Daventry District Council/South Northants Council) |
The Wildlife Trust |
NOR_LAG_T4 |
NOR_LAG_HC_A10 |
Create 4 ha of LWS standard acid grassland through agri-environment or other grant schemes from arable land or improved grassland by 2015. |
Natural England |
RNRP FWAG |
NOR_LAG_T4 |