Magnesian Limestone Grassland Habitat Definition
Identification & Mapping
The definition of lowland for the Durham BAP is all land outside the North Pennines Natural Area.
Species-rich, semi-natural grassland on magnesian limestone in the lowlands. Managed primarily by grazing.
Typical grasses include:
- blue moor-grass,
- cock’s-foot,
- common bent,
- downy oat-grass,
- meadow oat-grass,
- quaking-grass,
- sheep’s fescue,
- upright brome,
- yellow oat-grass.
- If at least two of the following wild flower indicator species are at least frequent and another three at least occasional in the sward then the grassland meets the definition.
- If only three indicator species are occasional in the sward or four species are present at a lower frequency (but not limited to field edges or corners) then the habitat meets this definition but must be recorded as being in poor condition.
- Betony
- Bloody cranesbill
- Burnet saxifrage
- Carline thistle
- Greater knapweed
- Hairy violet
- Harebell
- Hoary plantain
- Rough/Lesser hawkbit
- Salad burnet
- Saw-wort
- Small scabious
- Common bird’s-foot-trefoil
- Common rock-rose
- Cowslip
- Dropwort
- Devil’s-bit scabious
- Eyebright
- Fairy flax
- Gentians
- Kidney vetch
- Lady’s bedstraw
- Milkworts
- Mouse-ear hawkweed
- Orchids
- Oxeye daisy
- Purple milk-vetch
- Restharrow
- Spiny restharrow
- Thyme-leaved sandwort
- Wild basil W
- ild marjoram
- Wild thyme
- Yellow-wort
Condition Assessment
- Cover of undesirable species (creeping thistle, spear thistle, curled dock, broad-leaved dock, common ragwort, common nettle) less than 5%.
- Cover of wild flowers and sedges throughout the sward (excluding undesirable species) more than 30%.
- Cover of bare ground (including localised areas e.g. rabbit warrens) less than 10%.
- Cover of invasive trees and shrubs must be less than 5%.
Adapted from Defra’s G04 lowland calcareous grassland definition.*
*DEFRA (2005) Higher Level Stewardship: Farm Environment Plan – Guidance handbook. www.defra.gov.uk