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Purple moor grass and rush pastures

December 14, 2023

Purple moor grass and rush pastures is a type of Biodiversity Action Plan habitat in the UK. It occurs on poorly drained neutral and acidic soils of the lowlands and upland fringe. It is found in the South West of England, especially in Devon.

Padley Common - part of Chagford Commons is an area of purple moor grass and rush pasture

The vegetation consists of species-rich, semi-natural grassland containing abundant purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea) and one or more of several creeping rushes: sharp-flowered rush (Juncus acutiflorus), jointed rush (Juncus articulatus) and blunt-flowered rush (Juncus subnodulosus).

Only 8% remains of the area thought to have existed in 1900. In the UK estimate the area is thought to be less than 70,000 hectares (170,000 acres).[1] Their importance is recognised and are included as a priority habitat in the United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan.

Etymology edit

In Devon and Cornwall it is known as culm grassland, after the Culm Measures on which it is predominantly found.[1] In East Anglia it is known as litter meadow due to the practice of cutting it for bedding.[1] In Wales it is known as rhôs pasture.[1]

Typical grasses edit

Common bent (Agrostis capillaris), crested dog's-tail (Cynosurus cristatus), floating sweet grass (Glyceria fluitans), marsh foxtail (Alopecurus geniculatus), purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea), red fescue (Festuca rubra), sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum).[2]

Characteristic species edit

The Natural England Higher Level Stewardship Farm Environmental Plan handbook defines the habitat as grassland with at least two of the following species are found frequently, with another two being found occasionally.[2]

Key animal species associated with purple moor grass and rush pastures edit

  • Marsh fritillary butterfly (Eurodryas aurinia), uses scattered scrub and carr in September/October.
  • Brown hairstreak (Theccla betulae)
  • Narrow-bordered bee hawkmoth (Hemaris tityus) - fly during April/May, during the day.
  • Eurasian curlew (Numenius arquata) - lays eggs in April/May in open ground on a mound or tussock, incubates them through to June, and young may not be ready to fly until late July or into August.
  • Common snipe (Gallinago gallinago)
  • Barn owl (Tyto alba)
  • Marbled white (Melanargia galathea) on the wing in June/July.
  • Reed bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) uses scattered scrub and carr in September/October.

British National Vegetative Classification edit

The main British National Vegetation Classification communities associated with purple moor grass and rush pastures include M23 (Juncus effusus/acutiflorus-Galium palustre rush pasture), M25 (Molinia caerulea-Potentilla erecta mire), M26 (Molinia caerulea-Crepis paludosa mire) and British NVC community MG10 (Holco-Juncetum effusi rush-pasture).

Threats edit

Management edit

Natural England Guidance advocates an average grass height of 7 and 8 centimetres (2.8 and 3.1 in) for rush during April and May, increasing to 10 and 13 centimetres (3.9 and 5.1 in) in June to October, a quarter of the sward no more than 15 centimetres (5.9 in) for grass and 40 centimetres (16 in) for rushes - a diverse sward of shorter areas interspersed by taller tussocks.[3]

Areas of dense litter are beneficial to overwintering insects and small mammals, but should be less than 25% of the total area in October.

Protection edit

In the UK there are a number of initiatives to help prevent deterioration and to restore these sites. These include designation as Site of Special Scientific Interest, national nature reserves, voluntary entry into the Environmental Stewardship Scheme by landowners, or work by voluntary conservation organisations such as the Devon Wildlife Trust. The largest area of Culm grassland in Devon is Hare's Down, Knowstone & Rackenford Moors near Rackenford and is owned by Devon Wildlife Trust. Their management regime includes controlled burning in winter and light grazing by cattle in the summer. The aim is to control the amounts of scrub and bracken without removing them completely.[4][5]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d . English Nature (succeeded by Natural England). 2004. Archived from the original on 2011-07-10. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  2. ^ a b . Natural England. March 2010. Archived from the original on 2011-07-10. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  3. ^ 29-31[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ . Devon Wildlife Trust. Archived from the original on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  5. ^ . Devon Wildlife Trust. Archived from the original on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2014.

External links edit

  • Magic mapping system showing purple moor grass and rush pasture locations in the UK

December 14, 2023
purple, moor, grass, rush, pastures, type, biodiversity, action, plan, habitat, occurs, poorly, drained, neutral, acidic, soils, lowlands, upland, fringe, found, south, west, england, especially, devon, padley, common, part, chagford, commons, area, purple, mo. Purple moor grass and rush pastures is a type of Biodiversity Action Plan habitat in the UK It occurs on poorly drained neutral and acidic soils of the lowlands and upland fringe It is found in the South West of England especially in Devon Padley Common part of Chagford Commons is an area of purple moor grass and rush pastureThe vegetation consists of species rich semi natural grassland containing abundant purple moor grass Molinia caerulea and one or more of several creeping rushes sharp flowered rush Juncus acutiflorus jointed rush Juncus articulatus and blunt flowered rush Juncus subnodulosus Only 8 remains of the area thought to have existed in 1900 In the UK estimate the area is thought to be less than 70 000 hectares 170 000 acres 1 Their importance is recognised and are included as a priority habitat in the United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan Contents 1 Etymology 2 Typical grasses 3 Characteristic species 4 Key animal species associated with purple moor grass and rush pastures 5 British National Vegetative Classification 6 Threats 7 Management 8 Protection 9 References 10 External linksEtymology editIn Devon and Cornwall it is known as culm grassland after the Culm Measures on which it is predominantly found 1 In East Anglia it is known as litter meadow due to the practice of cutting it for bedding 1 In Wales it is known as rhos pasture 1 Typical grasses editCommon bent Agrostis capillaris crested dog s tail Cynosurus cristatus floating sweet grass Glyceria fluitans marsh foxtail Alopecurus geniculatus purple moor grass Molinia caerulea red fescue Festuca rubra sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum 2 Characteristic species editThe Natural England Higher Level Stewardship Farm Environmental Plan handbook defines the habitat as grassland with at least two of the following species are found frequently with another two being found occasionally 2 Bog asphodel Narthecium ossifragum Bog mosses Sphagnum spp Bog pimpernel Anagallis tenella Bugle Ajuga reptans Common valerian Valeriana officinalis Common meadow rue Thalictrum flavum Cross leaved heath Erica tetralix Devil s bit scabious Succisa pratensis Globeflower Trollius europaeus Greater burnet Sanguisorba officinalis Greater bird s foot trefoil Lotus pedunculatus Hemp agrimony Eupatorium cannabinum Jointed rush Juncus articulatus Lesser spearwort Ranunculus flammula Lesser water parsnip Berula erecta Lousewort Pedicularis sylvatica Fen bedstraw Galium uliginosum Marsh bedstraw Galium palustre Marsh cinquefoil Potentilla palustris Marsh hawk s beard Crepis paludosa Marsh marigold Caltha palustris Marsh pennywort Hydrocotyle vulgaris Marsh valerian Valeriana dioica Marsh violet Viola palustris Meadow thistle Cirsium dissectum Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria Orchids Orchidaceae Ragged robin Lychnis flos cuculi Rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus Saw wort Serratula tinctoria Sneezewort Achillea ptarmica Tormentil Potentilla erecta Water avens Geum rivale Water mint Mentha aquatica Whorled Caraway Carum verticillatum Wild angelica Angelica sylvaticum Small blue green sedges glaucous sedge Carex flacca common sedge Carex nigra carnation sedge Carex panicea etc Yellow flag Iris pseudacorus Key animal species associated with purple moor grass and rush pastures editMarsh fritillary butterfly Eurodryas aurinia uses scattered scrub and carr in September October Brown hairstreak Theccla betulae Narrow bordered bee hawkmoth Hemaris tityus fly during April May during the day Eurasian curlew Numenius arquata lays eggs in April May in open ground on a mound or tussock incubates them through to June and young may not be ready to fly until late July or into August Common snipe Gallinago gallinago Barn owl Tyto alba Marbled white Melanargia galathea on the wing in June July Reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus uses scattered scrub and carr in September October British National Vegetative Classification editThe main British National Vegetation Classification communities associated with purple moor grass and rush pastures include M23 Juncus effusus acutiflorus Galium palustre rush pasture M25 Molinia caerulea Potentilla erecta mire M26 Molinia caerulea Crepis paludosa mire and British NVC community MG10 Holco Juncetum effusi rush pasture Threats editDrainage Cultivation Fertiliser application Overgrazing Frequent burning Undergrazing leading to succession to scrub and woodland Can become dominated by soft rush Juncus effusus AfforestationManagement editNatural England Guidance advocates an average grass height of 7 and 8 centimetres 2 8 and 3 1 in for rush during April and May increasing to 10 and 13 centimetres 3 9 and 5 1 in in June to October a quarter of the sward no more than 15 centimetres 5 9 in for grass and 40 centimetres 16 in for rushes a diverse sward of shorter areas interspersed by taller tussocks 3 Areas of dense litter are beneficial to overwintering insects and small mammals but should be less than 25 of the total area in October Protection editIn the UK there are a number of initiatives to help prevent deterioration and to restore these sites These include designation as Site of Special Scientific Interest national nature reserves voluntary entry into the Environmental Stewardship Scheme by landowners or work by voluntary conservation organisations such as the Devon Wildlife Trust The largest area of Culm grassland in Devon is Hare s Down Knowstone amp Rackenford Moors near Rackenford and is owned by Devon Wildlife Trust Their management regime includes controlled burning in winter and light grazing by cattle in the summer The aim is to control the amounts of scrub and bracken without removing them completely 4 5 References edit a b c d Purple moor grass and rush pasture English Nature succeeded by Natural England 2004 Archived from the original on 2011 07 10 Retrieved 2010 08 13 a b NE264 Higher Level Stewardship Farm Environmental Plan Natural England March 2010 Archived from the original on 2011 07 10 Retrieved 2010 08 13 29 31 permanent dead link Reserves Rackenford and Knowstone Moor Overview Devon Wildlife Trust Archived from the original on 6 January 2014 Retrieved 5 January 2014 Reserves Rackenford and Knowstone Moor More info Devon Wildlife Trust Archived from the original on 6 January 2014 Retrieved 5 January 2014 External links editMagic mapping system showing purple moor grass and rush pasture locations in the UK Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Purple moor grass and rush pastures amp oldid 1144381860, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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