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National action plan -
Lowland calcareous grassland
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Vision statement
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Re-creation targets for lowland calcareous grassland have been exceeded in England, but targets for restoration have not been met. Although maintenance targets may appear to have been met in England, Scotland and Wales, this is as a result of improved survey information and masks a probable loss in real terms of the habitat across all four countries. Under-management is clearly the main cause of unfavourable condition, specifically under-grazing and abandonment. Scrub encroachment is the common result, sometimes together with invasive species problems. Lowland calcareous grasslands are still also affected by overgrazing and nutrient enrichment.
Underlying causes of under-management are still thought to be largely due to current agricultural economics and policies, leading to a reluctance to keep stock on pasture perceived to have little nutritional value. In addition, the extent to which atmospheric nutrient deposition and climate change is affecting the composition of our grassland sites is a largely unknown quantity. Further landscape ecology studies aimed at spatial planning for defragmentation are also needed.
At the broad scale, the long-term solution undoubtedly lies in the area of major policy changes to further encourage environmentally friendly farming systems. Influencing livestock policy will be essential, together with positive niche marketing and branding schemes to favour environmentally friendly enterprises. Grazing schemes are proving their worth. Schemes such as GAP in England, and now PONT in Wales are producing very promising results, but now need much more secure financial backing.
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Latest UK status
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| Value |
Units |
Accuracy of estimate |
Date assessed |
Comments |
| 40594 |
Hectares |
Partial survey |
2005 |
No new data sources for habitat extent have been made available since 2005. Lowland calcareous grassland was the only priority habitat included in the Nov 08 report from CS2007. This showed a slight decline from 47 to 45 000 ha, although this was not statistically significant due to very small sample size. Therefore the 2005 value is still the best estimate available. This figure was based upon survey, but adjusted for likely losses. It is probable that losses have continued since 2005 (see trend - declining, but slowing), therefore this figure is probably an overestimate. LBAP data was not used in the 2005 estimates; however, LBAP submissions were used to determine the likely trend. |
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More status information including Country values >
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Latest UK trend
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| Trend |
Accuracy of estimate |
Date assessed |
Comments |
| Declining (slowing) |
Best guess |
2008 |
There is still no UK-wide co-ordinated programme of habitat surveillance on which assessments of changes in extent and condition can be based. CS2007 results for lowland calcareous grassland priority habitat were non-significant (small sample size).
From comments and data provided by LBAPs, local teams and projects it appears that there is still an on-going loss of extent and condition of habitat (see T1and T2). Although considerable efforts have been made to improve management (T3) and to restore lowland calcareous grassland (see T4), the majority of this area will be restoration in progress which may take many years to achieve priority habitat status; re-creation of habitat through habitat expansion (T5) will take even longer. There are currently limited data available on the success or otherwise of AE restoration/expansion initiatives, therefore it has to be assumed that only a small percentage of the area under restoration / expansion has currently achieved BAP status. This percentage would be expected to rise over the next decade and beyond, with continuing favourable management. |
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More trend information including Country values >
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Targets
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| Code |
Text |
UK Status |
Assessment date |
| T1 |
Maintain the current extent of Lowland Calcareous Grassland in the UK. (Target represents no loss of BAP habitat). |
Target not achieved |
2008 |
| T2 |
Maintain at least the current condition of Lowland Calcareous Grassland. |
Some progress (behind schedule) |
2008 |
| T3 |
Achieve favourable or recovering condition for 30,421ha of Lowland Calcareous Grassland by 2010. |
Some progress (behind schedule) |
2008 |
| T4 |
Restore 399ha of Lowland Calcareous Grassland from semi-improved or neglected grassland, which no longer meets the priority habitat definition by 2010. |
Some progress (on schedule) |
2008 |
| T5 |
Re-establish 8,424ha of grassland of wildlife value from arable or improved grassland by 2010. |
Some progress (behind schedule) |
2008 |
| T6 |
6,320 ha (75%) of re-established area to be adjacent to existing Lowland Calcareous Grassland or other semi-natural habitat by 2010. (Refer to T5) |
Some progress (behind schedule) |
2008 |
| T7 |
4,200 ha (50%) of re-established area to contribute to resultant habitat patches of 2 ha or more of Lowland Calcareous Grassland by 2010. Where ever practicable bigger patches should be created. (Refer to T5) |
Some progress (behind schedule) |
2008 |
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More target information including country values and progress reports >
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Work programme
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No work plan actions have been linked to this national plan.
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