WIRRAL
BIODIVERSITY
ACTION PLAN
ACTION PLAN
|
WIRRAL
BIODIVERSITY
ACTION PLAN |
| Current Status | Current Factors causing loss or decline | Current Action | Key habitats | Objectives and Targets |
| Proposed Actions | Resources | Links to other Action Plans | Contact Points | References |
1.1 National
The national plan includes in this category most forms of unimproved neutral grassland in the UK. The majority of examples are managed as hay meadows, but some are periodically used as pasture. Other examples are found in churchyards, recreational sites, on road verges, etc. Floristically most belong to the crested dog's-tail-knapweed grasslands (NVC MG5 Cynosurus cristatus-Centaurea nigra). Such grasslands are associated with low-input nutrient regimes and support a specialist group of rare and declining plants such as adders-tongue fern, dyers greenweed, green-winged orchid and pepper saxifrage. There are also specialised invertebrates dependent on such plants e.g. on Meols Meadow SSSI, chimney sweeper moth living on pignut. These grasslands are important habitats for skylark and other farmland birds.
Unimproved grassland underwent a huge decline in the second half of the 20th century, largely due to changes in agricultural practice. At least 97% of the area present in 1939 has been lost.
These grasslands grade into flood plain meadow and flood pasture.
1.2 Local
Wirral has mirrored the national decline; it is estimated that 99% of unimproved grasslands in Cheshire have been lost. Major sites appear to be limited to Meols Meadow SSSI and Manor Farm, Frankby SBI. There are small patches on clifftops and along river valleys.
1.3 Legal
Meols Meadow is part of a network of some 400 unimproved grassland SSSIs, with improved protection under the CROW Act 2000. Manor Farm lies in the Green Belt and has some protection under the UDP. Some small sites lie within larger protected
areas e.g. clifftop grassland within Dee Cliffs SSSI and riverside grassland in Old Birket Courses SBI.
2. CURRENT
FACTORS CAUSING LOSS OR DECLINE
2.1 National
The principal factors affecting lowland meadows are:
3.2 Local
Local factors include all of those listed above (2.1). Abandonment is most likely on small sites, some of which are currently not being managed. Supplementary feeding and over-grazing are most likely where stock changes to horses, but horse-feed is the main market for species-rich hay. There is also a local threat of non-agricultural development.
3.1 National
Management agreements have been established for many lowland meadow SSSIs. Unimproved grasslands are covered by a number of agri-environment schemes including Countryside Stewardship. Many non-governmental organisations have nature reserves on species-rich grassland.
3.2 Local
Meols Meadows SSSI is covered by a management agreement with English Nature.
Key Species include adders-tongue fern, dyers greenweed, green-winged orchid, pepper saxifrage, yellow rattle, pignut, meadow barley, cowslip, betony, devil's-bit scabious, meadow cranesbill, quaking grass, yellow oat-grass, chimney-sweeper moth, skylark, lapwing. Great crested newt uses the habitat where there are ponds. Associated ditches may support important plants and invertebrates such as greater pond sedge.
5.1 The overall objective is to arrest the decline in hay meadows and similar species-rich grasslands in Wirral. This includes securing favourable management.
5.2 While ancient species-rich hay meadows cannot be re-created, there is ecological benefit in creating related grasslands should sites become available, especially close to remaining examples.
6.1 Site safeguard
6.1.1 Within the SSSI, favourable status needs to be regained and maintained, especially on the areas south of the railway line. (EN).
6.1.2 For the SBI, efforts need to be made to secure long-term management, through Countryside Stewardship or other. (FWAG)
6.1.3 Survey to identify small examples and secure appropriate management e.g. clifftop at Thurstaston, clifftop at New Ferry, riverside at Birket Old Courses. (LA/EA/WW)
6.2 Policy
6.2.1 No changes suggested.
6.3 Land management
6.3.1 Investigate possibilities for grassland habitat creation. (ALL).
6.4 Advice
6.4.1 Provide advice on management to landowners/tenants. (EN/WW).
6.5 Future research and Monitoring
6.5.1 Monitor known sites for changes over time. (WW/LA/EA/EN).
6.6 Communications and Publicity
6.6.1 Publicise importance of species-rich grasslands, especially to horse-owners. LA
6.6.2 Encourage appropriate public access for enjoyment of lowland meadows, where possible.
Wildlife Enhancement Scheme and Countryside Stewardship are available. Resources to manage small sites are needed.
8. LINKS TO
OTHER ACTION PLANS
Coastal and floodplain grazing marsh HAP, Ponds HAP,Great Crested Newt SAP, Field boundaries HAP.
8.1 Conflicts
Not identified
Hilary Ash, (Wirral Wildlife)
Telephone: 0151 327 5923.For existing sites: EN, FWAG
Habitat Creation: Landlife, Wirral Wildlife