Lowland meadows
1 June 2011
As well as traditional meadows cut for hay, ‘Lowland meadows’ also encompasses pastures managed through grazing alone. In fact all remaining wildflower rich grasslands in the lowlands of England on neutral (neither acid nor alkaline) soils is included, be it on farmland or a village green, church-yard or roadside verge. They support rare and iconic plant species such as Snake’s head fritillary and Green-winged orchid, as well as providing vital habitat for skylark, corn bunting and other declining farmland birds.
Hay meadow © Peter Roworth
How much is there?
A staggering 97% was lost between 1930 and 1983 through conversion to cereal crops and agriculturally improved grassland. Estimates suggest that as little as 7,500 ha lowland meadow may remain.
Where is it?
These grasslands are now highly localised and fragmented. Significant concentrations can still be found on the floodplains of the Thames, Yorkshire Ouse and Derwent, Severn, Avon, on the Somerset levels and in drier situations in Worcestershire. North Meadow, Cricklade National Nature Reserve is a lowland hay meadow of international importance.
Why does it matter?
A vital component of England’s cultural heritage, lowland meadows also store more carbon than intensive grasslands or arable land, thus helping to mitigate climate change They also provide pollination and pest control for agricultural crops by virtue of the abundant insects they support. Wet meadows play a vital flood protection role in many river catchments, preventing flood damage to property and vulnerable farmland.
Issues for the future?
A decline in the perceived agricultural value of these grasslands makes them vulnerable to agricultural improvement to more productive species-poor grasslands, or to neglect or abandonment, with the loss of key species to tall grasses and scrub. The targeting of beneficial management to remaining examples via Higher Level Stewardship is vital, as is protection of the best sites as Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Further information
Floodplain Meadows Partnership
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Habitats we've featured each month as part of our new series.
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Native plants, fungi and animals we featured each week for the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity.
