Improved Grassland

Improved grasslands account for the majority of all grassland found in rural and urban parts of North West England and the UK as a whole. They are species-poor, grass dominated swards, often sown for agricultural or recreational use, or created by modification of unimproved grasslands by fertilisers and selective herbicides. They are particularly characterised by the abundance of rye-grass Lolium perenne and white clover Trifolium repens.

The biodiversity of improved grasslands is low and, in general, they are of limited nature conservation interest. Fertiliser use in particular stimulates the growth of competitive grasses and a small number of common broadleaved plants such as common ragwort Senecio jacobaea and docks Rumex spp. at the expense of other plant species.

Generally these grasslands support a very impoverished fauna. Locally however, particularly in coastal areas, improved grasslands are of importance for wintering waterfowl including pink-footed goose* Anser brachyrhynchus, Bewick’s swan* Cygnus columbianus bewickii, whooper swan* Cygnus cygnus, wigeon* Anas penelope, barnacle goose* Branta leucopsis, lapwing* Vanellus vanellus and golden plover* Pluvialis apricaria.

Current status

Nationally the extent of improved grassland has increased by approximately 90% in the last 50 years due to increased intensification of farming. This expansion in area has largely been at the expense of habitats of high biodiversity importance, most notably, unimproved grasslands and moorland habitats. This is one of the most extensive habitats in NW England and occurs throughout the region.

For further information please see the document for download on this page.