Dinham Meadows
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Habitats
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Carboniferous · Rock Type: Carboniferous Limestone, Limestone
Description
Description A series of five grassland areas which are part of the same management unit and have been traditionally managed as hay meadows and pasture since the 1930s. Together they constitute the largest area of unimproved grassland in the county. Four are managed for hay and the fifth, located in an area of very thin soils and rock exposures, supports only a sparse cover. Soil types range from deep coarse loams with slight seasonal waterlogging through fine loams of intermediate depths with a moderate calcareous influence to bare rock of Carboniferous Limestone. Whilst the main grassland community type can be referred to the Centaurea nigra – Cynosurus cristatus mesotrophic grassland type, the range of soils types is reflected in the presence of other communities. On the deeper loams there are examples of the Arrhenatherum elatius coarse grassland community, whilst the shallower base rich soils support a community with strong affinities to the Koeleria macrantha sub community of the Festuca ovina – Carlina vulgaris limestone grassland type. There is a diverse range of both grass and herb species. Notable species of the hay meadows include adder’s tongue Ophioglossum vulgatum, pepper saxifrage Silaum silaus, cross wort Cruciata laevipes, grass vetchling Lathyrus nissolia, greater knapweed Centaurea scabiosa and rockrose Helianthemum nummularium, whilst the limestone grassland areas have abundant quaking grass Briza media, heath grass Danthonia decumbens, bee orchid Ophrys apifera and autumn lady’s tresses Spiranthes spiralis. These areas are also important for the diverse assemblage of invertebrates characteristic of grassland habitats. Species of Diptera and Lepidoptera are particularly well represented including the rare and notable dingy skipper Erynnis tages, grizzled skipper Pyrgus malvae and forester moth Adscita statices.
Species mentioned
Show the 19 species mentioned in the description, with red-list statusPlant communities
MG7 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Mesotrophic grassland
Lolium perenne leys and related grasslands Lolium perenne-Alopecurus pratensis grassland
Show 47 indicator speciesJuncus inflexus, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Hypochaeris radicata, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Taraxacum officianalis, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Cardamine pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Cerastium glomeratum, Stellaria media agg., Lathyrus pratensis, Trifolium dubium, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Vicia sativa, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Rumex acetosa, Rumex conglomeratus, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus bulbosus, Ranunculus repens, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus pratensis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Bromus hordeaceous, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium multiflorum, Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense, Poa annua, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus pratensis
MG9 — Brownfield, Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Mesotrophic grassland
Holcus lanatus-Deschampsia cespitosa grassland
Show 79 indicator speciesCarex hirta, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Juncus inflexus, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Achillea millefolium, Achillea ptarmica, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium palustre, Cirsium vulgare, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leucanthemum vulgare, Pulicaria dysenterica, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Senecio aquaticus, Taraxacum officianalis, Cardamine pratensis, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Hypericum perforatum, Mentha aquatica, Dactylorhiza fuchsii, Plantago lanceolata, Rumex acetosa, Rumex conglomeratus, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Rumex sanguineus, Primula veris, Primula vulgaris, Ficaria verna, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Agrimonia eupatoria, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla anserina, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium verum, Silaum silaus, Urtica dioica, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus pratensis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Briza media, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Glyceria fluitans, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Hordeum secalinum, Lolium perenne, Phalaris arundinacea, Phleum pratense, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Schedonorus pratensis, Trisetum flavescens