Project Title

GRASSLAND/HAY MEADOW MANAGEMENT

Code

CM7

Project summary

Acid grasslands of varying quality predominate in much of the area, but there is also some neutral grassland in some locations. Rough grassland can be found in many locations and has limited ecological value since there are high levels of coarse grasses dominating. Hay meadows were at one time very widespread in the area as was shown in habitat maps for the area from the early 1980s. Since this time hay meadows have been turned over to high intensity silage production where reseeding and artificial nutrient input and liming have eliminated much of the former diversity of these fields. Hay meadow management is best encouraged on larger sites where seed applications can be applied and the results monitored. The co-operation of many stakeholders will be required if hay meadows are to be brought back to their former glory. In the Ewden Valley there are still some fields that have managed to preserve their diverse plant communities, with dyers greenweed and burnet saxifrage discovered on a few fields during surveying for Sheffield's LBAP Grassland Survey in 1999.

To maintain diversity, certain mowing or grazing regimes need to be considered.

Project management

Sites of existing interest or sites for reinstatement/introduction of hay meadows identified. Partnership projects with landowners to protect and manage existing sites and help with Countryside Stewardship applications.

Project locations

Large sites.
Many fields in the Countryside Zone. Some possible application in smaller sites in other zones.

Planning permission

NO

Project links

Scrub and bracken control (CM6)
Wildflower meadows (L1)

Economic Implications

Funding - set up costs

Research on extent of hay meadows and loss. Provide information and encourage development of a network among landowners/farmers.

Funding - running costs

Advice and project development.

Employment

Environmental steward (knowledgeable on grant aid and hay meadow habitats).

Tourism

Hay meadows are best seen in summer - provide variety and colour in the landscape (although not good for hay fever sufferers).

Social Implications

Community involvement

Limited because of locations.

Schools involvement

N/A

Recreational benefits

Not great, although hay meadows are attractive at certain times of the year.

Environmental Implications

Local Agenda 21

Shift back to more sustainable levels of agriculture and management of landscape.

Wildlife

Increase in diversity.

Project viability

Constraints

Lack of interest from landowners/farmers
Incentives poor compared to subsidy
Low level of community involvement.