Lowland Dry Acid Grassland

Associated Species Action Plans Brown hare Grey partridge Skylark Vaccinium spp. Wall brown Associated Habitat action plans Other lowland grasslands: Neutral grassland Wet grassland Lowland heathland Woodland (scrub, acidic woodland)

Lowland acid grassland typically occurs on nutrient-poor, generally free draining soils with a pH range from 4 - 5.5, overlying acid rocks or superficial deposits such as sands and gravels. In the Birmingham and Black Country region this habitat is concentrated to the north and east of the region with outlying areas to the south-west and a central area around Rowley Regis. Apart from its location on acidic deposits it forms one of the vegetation communities that colonises old spoil especially from mining activities, old brick working sites and railways. In 1990 lowland acid grassland was estimated to cover a total area of 560 ha. Among the types found in Birmingham and the Black Country are:. Sheep's fescue-Common bent-Sheep's sorrel grassland This community is found on substrates that are free draining and parched during the summer months. This community shows a preference for areas of low rainfall and high air temperatures and, as such, its natural occurrence within the Region is limited to free draining, south facing slopes. It is more commonly found on old mining spoil and railway embankments which satisfy this communities ecological requirements. Wavy-hair grass grassland This community can be found upon similar substrates as those of sheep's fescue-common bent-sheep's sorrel grassland, but it has a tolerance for slightly wetter conditions without summer parching. It is frequently found on heathland that has been overgrazed in the past but now abandoned. This is the commonest community found on Barr Beacon in Walsall. It is also a community that colonises old mining spoil and acidic industrial wastes. Sheep's fescue-Common bent-Heath bedstraw grassland Frequently found forming a mosaic with those community types above normally on higher, exposed, ground. Within the Region it can be found around Barr Beacon in Walsall and Rowley Regis in Sandwell. Bracken-Heath bedstraw grassland Generally found in areas which are inaccessible for management, either on steep slopes or around the fringes of heathland and acidic woodland/scrub. It forms a mosaic with the other community types.

2.1 Traditionally, these grassland have been perceived as being of lower conservation value than the species rich neutral grasslands. This has resulted in the areas of acidic grassland being targeted for development, landscaping, mineral extraction and agricultural and environmental improvements. Areas that are not of immediate economic importance (mineral extraction, development) have been neglected, which results in a loss of diversity. Other factors include:

• Conversion to grass leys by ploughing, reseeding and a high input of fertilizers.
• Overgrazing, especially by horses.
• Lack of appropriate management, especially on 'natural' public open space.
• Development pressure.
• Mineral extraction.
• Colonisation by scrub and bracken.
• Tree planting.

3.1 Legal Status

Sutton Park NNR is a statutory designated site for its acid grassland content. Generally, this habitat forms a mosaic with other vegetation communities, notably lowland heathland and acidic woodland, and, as such, they are protected within the boundaries of these sites.

Several sites, which contain a significant proportion of acidic grassland, have non-statutory designations which are identified within the Unitary development Plans of the local authorities.

3.2 Management, research and guidance

A National Action Plan has been produced for acidic grassland which seeks to secure favourable management of significant stands of unimproved lowland acid grassland and attempt to re-establish 500ha of this habitat by 2010.

Locally, very little survey work has been carried out on assessing the extent and quality of the acidic grassland communities. Further work is required on the restoration, re-creation and management of existing acid grasslands and advice to landowners on the conservation value of this habitat.

ACTION	Potential Deliverers		YEARS							Meets objective No.
	Lead	Partner	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2011
5.1 Policy and legislation
Seek the inclusion of effective measures for habitat protection in the preparation of UDPs and other policy documents	LAs	EN, WT	As Unitary Development Plans and other policy documents are prepared							5
Create a grassland forum of interested parties to protect and enhance grassland resource	EN	ALL								1
5.2 Habitat safeguard and management
Produce management guidelines for landowners on the conservation of acidic grasslands	EN	LAs, LO, WT, FWAG								3,6
Initiate management with management plans on designated sites	LAs	WT, EN								3,5
Identify sites for restoration / establishment of appropriate grassland communities and increase grassland resource by a minimum of 50ha	EN	ALL								5
Identify species as "flagship" species which require management of grassland habitat and initiate appropriate management	EN	WT, BC, RSPB, LA, LO								3
5.3 Advice
Provide information and advice to site owners / managers as to habitat value and management	EN	All								3,6
5.5 Future research and monitoring
Undertake survey to determine extent of habitat area, value, state and management and produce detailed Grassland inventory	WT	EN, LAs								2
Formulate criteria for assessing conservation status of acidic grasslands	EN	ALL								4
Support initiatives to identify best management practice	ALL									3,6
5.6 Publicity
Promote awareness and positive perception of habitat	ALL									5
5.7 Links to other action plans
Heathland, woodland (scrub, acidic woodland)

This Biodiversity Action Plan will be implemented over 10 years with a first review after 5 years. A group will be set up to co-ordinate implementation and to report to the Biodiversity Steering Group. This group will meet at a minimum on a yearly basis.

This grassland forum would act as a central point in assessing and developing new targets for the grasslands as well as providing a point of contact for landowners and other practitioners.

Review will be carried out in conjunction with related Habitat and Species Action Plans as appropriate.

Review will consist of measuring achievement of targets. The group will, with the support of the Steering Group, develop and implement appropriate monitoring methods, which will inform the review process.

The Action Plan will be revised and updated in the light of review results and any relevant changes in circumstances and/or additional information which becomes available during the review period.

In line with national guidance, the Steering Group will report to the UK Steering Group.

Anonymous (1998) Lowland Dry Acid Grassland. A Habitat Action Plan in The UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans, Vol. II - Terrestrial and Freshwater Habitats English Nature, Peterborough

EcoRecord, (1999) Heathland and Acid Grassland Areas in Birmingham and the Black Country - Based upon the phase 1 Habitat Survey 1985-90 EcoRecord, Birmingham

Rodwell, J.S. (ed). (1992) British Plant Communities Vol.3- Grassland and Montane Communities Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

Biodiversity Action Plan for Birmingham and the Black Country © 2000

Printing of this publication for educational purposes is permitted, provided that copies are not made or distributed for commercial gain, and the title of the publication and its date appear. To copy otherwise, or to republish, requires specific permission from the Steering Group.