Grasslands

The Challenges

• Grassland makes up nearly two thirds of the land cover in Wales. However most of this is agriculturally improved (reseeded, fertilised or drained), with only 9% attributed to semi-natural grassland.

• Lowland semi-natural grasslands have decreased by 91% between 1930s and 1990s in Wales this has mainly been attributed to agricultural improvement.

• Like woodland habitat, species rich grassland sites across North East Wales are often fragmented and in poor condition.

• Often the grass habitat around our settlements has been managed over many years to reduce diversity and value for nature. By changing the management practice of our local grass areas we can support the return of wildflowers and wildlife.

• Road verges are also an important element of grassland habitat often retaining species which would have inhabited our lost meadows.

Grasslands in North East Wales

Semi natural grassland is made up of a mixture of grasses and herbaceous plants, the habitat is created by low-intensity farming or natural vegetation on poor soils. The habitat supports many rare and declining species.

Grassland data for North East Wales is limited. There are many different types of grassland across the Bionet region. Calaminarian grasslands (on soils high in heavy metals) are present in Gwydyr, Conwy and Halkyn Mountain, Flintshire. There are important flood plain meadows in Wrexham, Calcareous grassland sites (on limestone) spread across North East Wales at; the Great Orme and Creuddyn Peninsular, Prestatyn hillside, Halkyn Mountain and Minera.

Often rarer invertebrates, lower plants, fungi, flowering plants, birds and bats are associated with these sites and many are protected by SSSI or other site designation

Our Impact for Grasslands in North East Wales

Short Term (12 months)

Map our grassland habitat and related projects across North East Wales

Medium Term (1-5 years)

Increase the extent of grassland and trees under favorable management.

Long Term (5 years +)

Increase grassland, canopy cover and resilience in North East Wales

97% of our grasslands have been lost since the 1930s, species rich grasslands provide essential habitat for pollinators

Interactive Map

Take a Look at Where Are Making a Difference

The map shows our existing grasslands, where there may be opportunity to enhance or extend existing and create new and where we are already making a difference.

Please note: Our maps use data from a variety of online sources. Whilst data on partner action is accurate to the best of our knowledge and we always try to obtain data from reliable sources, Bionet cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of all the information contained on our maps. Each user of this map is responsible for determining its suitability for his or her intended use or purpose.

View Full Map

Get Involved

How You Can Help

Do you want to do something for nature near you?

Our partners often have opportunities for you to get involved by attending events or taking part in activities. This may be anything from tree planting or species specific monitoring to wildlife fun days, face to face or online training courses. There are also National campaigns which you can often get involved in, in your local area.

Get Involved

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