Upland Calcareous Grassland BNG Units
High
Grassland
Trusted by Developers and Landowners
What is
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.
Why It Matters for BNG
For Developers
For Landowners
Where Are They Found?
The Upland calcareous grassland habitat forms where limestone and other base rich substrates outcrop or lie close to the surface. Upland calcareous grassland frequently sits alongside upland heath, moorland and semi natural grassland, forming complex mosaics shaped by geology and grazing.
Soil and Site Requirements
Upland calcareous grassland requires shallow, lime rich soils with high pH and low nutrient availability. The soils drain well and often overlay exposed or near surface limestone. Rainfall and altitude create cooler conditions that influence plant composition. Avoid fertiliser, ploughing or soil enrichment, which reduce characteristic species and shift the habitat toward coarse grasses or scrub.
How New Upland Calcareous Grassland Is Created
Inputs
• Restore shallow, lime rich soils by removing nutrient inputs
• Introduce native calcareous grassland species using seed mixes or green hay
• Prepare ground where needed to expose mineral soils for establishment
• Control early scrub to allow grassland species to establish
Management
• Apply grazing to maintain open, species rich sward structure
• Retain some exposed soil and small rock outcrops for specialist plants and invertebrates
• Adjust grazing pressure to avoid both overgrazing and abandonment
• Prevent succession toward scrub or woodland by managing young woody growth
Landscape
• Restore grassland on upland limestone slopes, pavements or shallow soils
• Link separate calcareous patches to form continuous upland habitat networks
• Integrate grassland with adjoining upland heath and moorland to create diverse mosaics
Target Condition
Upland calcareous grassland in its defined BNG condition should:
• Support calcicolous grasses such as sheep’s fescue, upright brome and quaking grass
• Contain herbs such as wild thyme, common rock rose and bird’s foot trefoil
• Maintain short, species rich turf with varied height and scattered bare patches
• Retain orchids and indicator species typical of alkaline upland soils
• Prevent scrub encroachment while retaining structural variation
• Preserve low nutrient status and shallow, well drained soils
The BNG Value of
Upland Calcareous Grassland
• Distinctiveness: High, reflecting national rarity and strong ecological importance across upland limestone landscapes
• Condition Potential: High, where low nutrient soils and appropriate grazing maintain species rich swards and support specialist flora
• Habitat Connectivity: Strengthens upland networks by linking limestone grassland, heath and moorland habitats, supporting butterflies, bees and upland fauna
• Climate and Landscape Context: Contributes to resilient upland ecosystems and supports long term biodiversity outcomes through its unique combination of geology, altitude and specialist species
Species Typical of
Upland Calcareous Grassland
Canopy or Primary Layer
• Sheep’s fescue (Festuca ovina)
• Upright brome (Bromus erectus)
• Quaking grass (Briza media)
• Common bent (Agrostis capillaris)
Shrub or Secondary Layer
• Sparse scrub on margins
• Occasional heather where soils have leached
• Low shrubs in transitional areas
Ground Flora or Understorey
• Wild thyme (Thymus polytrichus)
• Common rock rose (Helianthemum nummularium)
• Bird’s foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)
• Dropwort (Filipendula vulgaris)
• Carline thistle (Carlina vulgaris)
• Alpine lady’s mantle (Alchemilla alpina)
• Frog orchid (Coeloglossum viride)
• Pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis)
• Bryophytes and lichens on rock and exposed soil
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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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