Farming for
A Living Landscape
Avon’s Wildflower Grasslands Achieving landscape-scale change This project demonstrates how value can be added to agri-environment schemes through ongoing liaison with landowners and the engagement of volunteers in practical conservation work in the wider countryside. A spatial approach is being used to target work on land that contributes to core habitat areas and develop the surrounding network to provide links across the landscape.
Identifying and managing wildflower grasslands Since the project began in 2008, Avon Wildlife Trust has surveyed more than 2,000 ha of land on 162 farms. This activity identified 820 ha of species-rich grassland, 146 ha of which was not recorded before the project started. A further 642 ha of semi-improved grassland was identified as having restoration potential. Traditional management of speciesrich grasslands involves cutting for hay and/or grazing with livestock.
Animals that graze on a mixed diet of grasses and broadleaved species are often healthier, with the lower input costs giving an economic benefit to the landowner as well as a positive benefit for ecosystem services. Combining gains for wildlife with potential commercial benefits for landowners is a high priority for the project. In most instances, Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) is the preferred route for funding grassland management and restoration work.
The project team has so far secured 14 HLS agreements covering more than 600 ha. The project’s grassland survey results and recommendations have led to a further 5 HLS agreements. Where there is land that is not suitable for an agri-environment scheme, the Trust provides some funding for work such as scrub management, fencing to re-introduce grazing and green hay or wildflower seeding to increase species diversity.
Protecting Wildlife for the Future
Grassland ecosystem services Wildflower grasslands carry out important functions across the agricultural landscape. The insects they support are crucial for the pollination of agricultural crops and this habitat provides food for all stages of their life cycle, as well as areas for breeding, egg-laying and pupation. Invertebrates in wildflower grasslands play an important role in dung removal and soil creation. Wildflower meadows provide food and breeding areas for predator species such as beetles, spiders and parasitic wasps, which in turn carry out natural pest control of insects in arable crops. Grassland soils are a major carbon sink and many wildflower species sustainably fix atmospheric nitrogen.
Making connections Working with Natural England, the project has combined its grassland survey results with agri-environment options data and habitat layers to carry out a simple spatial analysis. The results show the level of connectivity, how HLS is contributing to this and where HLS could be targeted to fill any gaps. Landowner relationships are vital to this process and a “connectivity” map of people willing to undertake habitat restoration work has also been produced. The Trust holds workshops for landowners to look at connectivity and how their landholdings contribute towards the bigger picture.
Surveying grassland in the project area
Landowner advice and support HLS provides a financial incentive for landowners but is not always able to provide the ongoing support required to achieve the desired results. Project staff produce survey reports and offer management advice to those landowners with wildflower grassland. They also undertake site visits to discuss management options and provide follow-up advisory service and assistance with specific tasks that are difficult to achieve within the normal farm schedule. This service is not restricted to landowners in HLS.
Adding value The project is able to bring additional investment to all landowners committed to habitat conservation, whether or not they are in an agri-environment scheme. For example, Avon Wildlife Trust is able to bring in volunteers to control bramble, remove invasive hawthorn and blackthorn, help out with hay-making and pull ragwort. Many of the fields in the project area are small and on slopes, making it difficult for farmers to use machinery. So, following consultation with the landowner, supervised, trained and well equipped volunteers are making a big difference. The Trust has also developed a “Landscape Explorers” education programme, linking schools with local landowners and getting them involved in community activities.
A Living Landscape is a recovery plan for nature championed by The Wildlife Trusts to help create a resilient and healthy environment rich in wildlife and provide ecological security for people. To find out what advice and support is available from a Wildlife Trust near you, visit wildlifetrusts.org/farming For more information on this project, please contact Charlotte Owen (cowen@wildlifetrusts.org)
Landowner workshops proved popular
Volunteers help with tasks like fencing
The Wildlife Trusts The Kiln, Waterside Mather Road Newark Nottinghamshire NG24 1WT Tel: 01636 677711