Upland Acid Grassland BNG Units
High
Grassland
Trusted by Developers and Landowners
What is
Upland Acid Grassland
Upland Acid Grassland is a mix of fine grasses, mosses and small herbaceous plants adapted to low pH and limited nutrients. This habitat appears as an open grassy landscape, often dominated by mat grass or purple moor grass. Texture and color come from all patches of tormentil, heath bedstraw and scattered mosses.
Why It Matters for BNG
For Developers
For Landowners
Where Are They Found?
Upland acid grassland occurs across upland landscapes where soils remain acidic and nutrient poor. It often sits alongside upland heath, bog habitats, wet rush pasture and scattered scrub. These mosaics contribute to upland ecological connectivity and landscape character.
Soil and Site Requirements
This habitat requires acidic soils below pH 5.5. Soil types range from shallow, free draining mineral soils to deeper peaty deposits on wetter ground. Maintaining low nutrient conditions is essential. Lime, fertiliser or heavy disturbance reduce habitat quality and alter species composition.
How New Upland Acid Grassland Is Created
Inputs
• Maintain soil acidity and avoid lime or nutrient addition
• Encourage natural colonisation from nearby upland grassland
• Introduce characteristic grasses, herbs and mosses where required
• Control invasive species before they establish
Management
• Apply grazing to maintain open structure and prevent scrub encroachment
• Adjust grazing pressure to avoid overgrazing and bare ground
• Retain moisture gradients to support rushes and transitional vegetation
• Allow natural disturbance where it benefits characteristic species
Landscape
• Restore grassland within upland mosaics of heath, bog and wet pasture
• Position restoration where long term grazing agreements can be secured
• Connect isolated grassland areas to strengthen upland habitat networks
Target Condition
Upland acid grassland in its defined BNG condition should:
• Support characteristic grasses such as sheep’s fescue, bent grasses, mat grass and purple moor grass
• Contain herbs such as tormentil and heath bedstraw within a balanced sward
• Maintain low nutrient soils with pH below 5.5
• Present open structure with moss rich patches in suitable areas
• Avoid dominance by scrub, bracken or coarse grasses
• Demonstrate appropriate grazing and natural disturbance
The BNG Value of
Upland Acid Grassland
• Distinctiveness: Medium, with strong ecological importance in upland systems
• Condition Potential: Moderate to high where nutrient control and grazing maintain structure
• Habitat Connectivity: Links upland heath, bogs and wet rush pasture, supporting birds, invertebrates and upland fungi
• Climate and Landscape Context: Contributes to resilient upland ecosystems with stable vegetation adapted to harsh conditions
Species Typical of
Upland Acid Grassland
Canopy or Primary Layer
• Sheep’s fescue (Festuca ovina)
• Bent grasses (Agrostis species)
• Mat grass (Nardus stricta)
• Purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea)
Shrub or Secondary Layer
• Heather (Calluna vulgaris)
• Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)
• Sparse scrub on habitat margins
Ground Flora or Understorey
• Tormentil (Potentilla erecta)
• Heath bedstraw (Galium saxatile)
• Devil’s bit scabious (Succisa pratensis)
• Common bird’s foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)
• Common hair cap moss (Polytrichum commune)
• Soft rush (Juncus effusus)
• Sharp flowered rush (Juncus acutiflorus)
• Lesser pond sedge (Carex acutiformis)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Exploring Other Habitats?
Upland Hay Meadow
Upland hay meadows are species rich grasslands dominated by a mix of fine grasses and abundant herbaceous wildflowers such as sweet vernal-grass, wood crane’s-bill, great burnet, pignut, and lady’s mantles. These meadows have developed through long term traditional management that combines light grazing with a late summer hay cut. Rare species including lesser butterfly-orchid and burnt orchid are sometimes found. This habitat is a dense mix of grasses and a wide variety of wildflowers, with no single grass species dominating the vegetation.
Upland Calcareous Grassland
Upland calcareous grassland is a springy, species-rich habitat occurring above approximately 250–300 metres on lime-rich, or “base-rich,” soils. The habitat develops as a short, species rich sward of calcicolous grasses, herbs and orchids adapted to alkaline conditions and cooler upland climates The grassland appears patchy and open, with fine grasses, colourful herbs and scattered rock outcrops. Wild thyme, common rock rose and bird’s foot trefoil often grow alongside sheep’s fescue and upright brome, creating a varied mosaic.
Upland Acid Grassland
Upland Acid Grassland is a mix of fine grasses, mosses and small herbaceous plants adapted to low pH and limited nutrients. This habitat appears as an open grassy landscape, often dominated by mat grass or purple moor grass. Texture and color come from all patches of tormentil, heath bedstraw and scattered mosses.
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