Grasslands, meadows and pasture habitat audit

This audit covers areas of unimproved and semi-improved neutral grassland. Traditionally, neutral grasslands were managed as hay meadows or pasture, but today these terms are used rather loosely to describe a variety of grassland types. Generally pastures are grazed for most or all of the year, whilst meadows are allowed to grow through spring and early summer and are then cut during June and July - the cuttings being dried and removed for hay. In London many grasslands may also be managed for informal recreation or as playing fields.

Although the area of neutral grassland has been considerably reduced over the years, it is still relatively widespread throughout London and is a significant habitat type in many outer London Boroughs. The City of London is the only borough that does not have any significant areas of neutral grassland. There are approximately 11,000 hectares of neutral grassland in London - a considerable area when compared with the meagre acid grassland resource of just 1,200 hectares.

It has been suggested that the loss of neutral grasslands in the lowlands represents the greatest reduction of wildlife habitat over the last 45 years. Between 1930 and 1984 semi-natural lowland grassland decreased by an estimated 97 in England and Wales, leaving just 3 undamaged by intensification. The extent and quality of the neutral grassland in London has shown a similar decline. Although neutral grasslands are still relatively common in London, unimproved (species-rich) neutral grasslands are particularly rare. This habitat is a high priority for action due to the severe decline in quantity and quality of this habitat nationally and the relatively large neutral grassland resource found within London.

Several areas of relatively species-rich neutral grassland could be restored by relaxation of mowing regimes in some of London's older public parks and open spaces. Relaxation or modification of mowing regimes should be implemented after thorough survey to ensure that the areas that revert to a more natural sward are the most species-rich areas. Uncut areas of perennial ryegrass (the typical constituent of amenity swards) are of little value to people or wildlife. Rough grassland has already been restored in parts of some London parks with very beneficial results.

The restoration of a sympathetic grazing regime would be particularly beneficial to many neutral grassland sites. Although the botanical interest of several good quality grasslands in London is maintained by mowing or hay-making this is not usually the most beneficial management technique for biodiversity generally. Grazing is a more subtle form of management and creates a much wider range of micro-habitats which can be exploited by invertebrates and plant species which need gaps in the sward.