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Home > Spaces and species > LandLife > Lowland calcareous grassland
Lowland calcareous grassland
National lead organisation: Natural England
Local lead organisations: The Wildlife Trust Chalk Grassland Managers Group
Lowland calcareous – or ‘chalk’ – grasslands are found on shallow soils over chalk or other types of limestone. Chalk grasslands feature lime-loving plants, including many species of orchid. They are also home to kidney vetch, the food plant of the rare small blue butterfly.
Lowland calcareous grassland in Bedfordshire and LutonBedfordshire’s chalk grasslands are found around Luton on the steep slopes of the Chiltern Hills. In the past these slopes were used to graze sheep as they were too steep for arable farming. In recent years changes in farming practices have reduced the quality and amount of chalk grassland. There are now about 300 ha of chalk grassland in the county, but much of it is in poor condition.
Check out these links to learn more about lowland calcareous grassland:
National action plan for lowland calcareous grassland Bedfordshire & Luton action plan for lowland calcareous grassland (UPDATED PLAN COMING SOON!) Bedfordshire calcareous grassland habitat opportunities survey report (BedsLife 2007) British habitats: chalk grassland (Natural History Museum) Calcareous grasslands - lowland (Joint Nature Conservation Committee) Lowland grassland management handbook (Natural England, The Wildlife Trusts, CCW and SNH) Advice on managing BAP habitats: lowland calcareous grassland (Buglife) Lowland calcareous grassland - a scarce and special habitat (Natural England) A review of the invertebrates associated with lowland calcareous grassland (Natural England) The importance of livestock grazing for wildlife conservation (Natural England) Long-term effects of cutting on the yield and floristic composition of chalk grassland (Natural England)
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