Grasslands in Radnorshire

Over two thirds of Wales is defined as grassland, areas dominated by grass cover, most of this in monocultural grassland, ‘improved’ (reseeded, fertilised or drained) for sheep grazing. ‘Unimproved’, or semi-natural grassland, which dominated much of the Welsh lowland landscape less than 100 years ago, has declined by 90% over the latter part of the 20th century, now only occupying 9% of the land area. This decline is due to developments, recreational use, and agricultural ‘improvement’ driven by land-use policies focused on agricultural production. Unimproved, species-rich grassland is still being lost, and butterflies, breeding birds, flowering plants and grassland fungi all continue to be in decline.

Aptly described species-rich meadows support a huge range of flowering plants, bird’s-foot trefoil, red clover, various orchid species and many other wildflowers are found in abundance when these habitats are well managed. Pollinating invertebrates feast in these areas, and in turn are prey for birds and mammals. Since the 1930s the UK has lost 97 percent of its meadows. Today roadside, footpath and garden verges are often the last refuge for plants, insects, and wildlife previously associated with meadows. Verges are too-commonly tidied up into lawns with neat borders. Radnorshire Wildlife Trust champions and campaigns for nature rich, biodiverse, and ‘scruffy’ verges.