© UKHAB
The following is a short summary of the habitat type and how to create/enhance it to a "good" condition. For an informed position, please refer to official up-to-date UKHAB documentation or the UK Government's Condition Assessment Sheet.
Context
You should pick this habitat if the grass is found on public parks, on sports pitches or on intensively managed verges.
If it is in a garden you should pick vegetated garden.
If you wish to select this habitat on a habitat selection screen, it can be found under Grassland (see guide).
This is amenity grassland in public parks, sports pitches, intensively managed verges, golf courses, pasture land. It is species-poor, with less than 9 species per m2. It is dominated by a few fast-growing grasses on fertile, neutral soils. It is frequently characterised by an abundance of Rye-grasses (Lolium spp.) and White Clover (Trifolium repens). In over-grazed or poached pastures it is possible to see bare ground, followed by more abundant broadleaf species such as Creeping Thistle (Cirsium arvense) and Dock (Rumex spp.).
How to Create / Enhance to a "Good" condition
If you are interested in creating grassland, you should consider the information sources listed below. Please note that there are additional information sources in the Useful Resources section.
How to get a "moderate" rating
In a management plan aiming to achieve ‘moderate’ condition the plan will show the following:
There shall be a diverse grassland seed mix ensuring a minimum of 6 plant species per square metre. The seed mix will be 100% native, and chosen so as to tolerate a variety of soil conditions and mowing.
Management will ensure the parcel shall have less than 20% scrub and less than 20% bracken cover.
Management shall ensure that there are no invasive non-native plant species as listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981).
How to get a "good rating"
In addition to the characteristics for moderate condition, to get a ‘good’ condition the plan will show the following:
Steps will be taken to ensure a varied sward height. At least 20% of the grass area will be shorter than 7 cm and at least 20% will be taller than 7 cm, allowing different small animals (vertebrates and invertebrates) to live and breed.
Steps will be taken to ensure ongoing monitoring and protection from physical damage so that bare ground and other signs of damage (such as littering) never cover below 5% of the total area.
Steps will be taken to reduce regular footfall including (if appropriate and necessary) via signage.
Useful Resources
If you are interested in enhancing or creating this habitat, you should consider the following (all recommended by CIEEM):