Caldecote Meadows
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Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TL347577 | — | Favourable | 2.34 | 2012-07-02 |
| TL348576 | — | Favourable | 1.81 | 2012-07-02 |
| TL348578 | — | Favourable | 3.19 | 2012-07-02 |
| TL348580 | — | Favourable | 1.75 | 2012-07-02 |
Habitats
Description
Area, 9.2 hectares 22.7 ac Description Caldecote Meadows is an area of herb rich grassland of a calcareous loam type, holding plant communities which are of nationally restricted distribution. Meadows of this type were once widespread throughout Cambridgeshire but are now scarce in the county. The grassland holds a range of plant species typical to the calcareous loam community including salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba, quaking grass Briza media, dropwort Filipendula vulgaris and cowslip Primula veris. This variety of plants has been retained as a result of traditional management by grazing and hay cutting. Hedgerows, trees and a stream provide areas of additional wildlife value on the site.
Species mentioned
Show the 4 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
Latin name search with Google |
IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| quaking grass | Briza media | VU | grass | poaceae |
| dropwort | Filipendula vulgaris | LC | herb | rosaceae |
| salad burnet | Poterium sanguisorba | VU | herb | rosaceae |
| cowslip | Primula veris | LC | herb | primulaceae |
Plant communities
A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream
Potamogeton natans community
Show 20 indicator speciesSchoenoplectus lacustris, Juncus bulbosus, Sparganium angustifolium, Sparganium erectum, Sparganium minimum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Glyceria fluitans, Chara subspinosa
A14 — Fast flowing river and stream
Myriophyllum alterniflorum community
Show 15 indicator speciesIsolepis fluitans, Juncus bulbosus, Fontinalis antipyretica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton filiformis, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus peltatus, Chara spp., Nitella hyalina
A17 — Chalk river and stream, Fast flowing river and stream
Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans community
Show 11 indicator speciesBerula erecta, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum hydropiper, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans
A18 — Fast flowing river and stream
Ranunculus fluitans community
Show 12 indicator speciesFontinalis antipyretica, Fontinalis squamosa var. curnowii, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus fluitans, Glyceria fluitans, Phalaris arundinacea