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
This habitat provides high distinctiveness units in upland limestone landscapes. Its specialist species strengthen BNG delivery in upland settings.
Grazing, scrub control and protection of lime rich soils allow landowners to generate high value BNG credits and support rare upland flora.
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
How Existing Upland Calcareous Grassland Is Improved
Inputs
• Remove scrub encroachment and control coarse grasses
• Reintroduce missing herbs, orchids or grasses where diversity has declined
• Maintain open rock and soil patches that support bryophytes and lichens
• Restore soil conditions where nutrient enrichment has occurred
Management
• Use controlled grazing to sustain short, species rich turf
• Retain patches of taller vegetation for structural diversity
• Monitor plant communities and adjust management to protect calcicolous species
• Prevent dominance by aggressive grasses or mat grass where leaching has altered soils
Landscape
• Expand habitat into adjacent suitable ground with shallow, lime rich soils
• Strengthen connections across upland plateaus, ridges and slopes
• Manage recreational pressure to reduce erosion on thin soils
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
• 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
What is Upland Calcareous Grassland?
Found on thin, free-draining, nutrient-poor, alkaline (calcareous) soils at higher altitudes. It is exceptionally species-rich and a priority habitat.
How is BNG measured here?
Assessment focuses on the high diversity of calcicole indicator species (wildflowers specific to chalk/limestone), sward structure, and the absence of scrub.
How can I achieve BNG?
Enhancement through carefully managed grazing (often sheep/cattle) or hay cutting/removal to keep the sward open and maintain low nutrient levels. Creation is very difficult and rare.
What is the BNG target condition?
A Very Good condition is the target, characterized by a short, species-rich sward, abundant wildflowers, and minimal encroachment of scrub or invasive species.
What management is required?
Low-intensity grazing is critical to maintain the short turf required by the species. Cessation of fertilizer use is also essential.
Exploring Other Habitats?
Open Mosaic Habitats on Previously Developed Land BNG
Open Mosaic Habitats on previously developed land are brownfield sites where disturbance, bare substrates, and early successional vegetation create a structurally diverse mosaic. The habitat supports specialised flora and invertebrates that depend on skeletal soils, bare ground, and pioneer plant communities.
The mosaic typically includes bare ground, ephemeral and short perennial vegetation, flower-rich open grassland, scrub patches, and occasional wet features.
Willow Scrub
Willow scrub is a transitional habitat dominated by native willow species, typically grey willow and goat willow, often with hawthorn, hazel, and dog rose. It forms in damp ground, at woodland margins, or on disturbed sites where scrub colonises freely.
The Willow scrub habitat is characterised by a mosaic structure: scrub cover between 10 and 60 percent with open grassland, wetland, or bare ground filling the gaps. A varied age structure, from seedlings to mature stems, supports higher condition scores. Ground flora is diverse where scrub remains open and light levels allow herbs and grasses to persist.
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.
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