Aims
- To halt the degradation of meadows in the borough
- To expand the habitat where opportunities exist
- To promote the value of meadows and work with local people to actively conserve the habitat
Introduction
This Action Plan covers neutral grasslands that were traditionally managed as hay meadows or pasture. Improved meadows are those that have been changed through the addition of fertiliser, pesticides, reseeding etc. and are covered in the Parks and Open Spaces Action Plan.
Pastures were generally grazed through most of the year, whilst meadows were left to grow until around July when a hay cut was taken. Nationally we have lost 95% of our semi natural grasslands through development or agricultural improvement. Hand in hand with the loss of habitat have been extinctions of associated species, and restrictions in the range of species. This habitat however is still relatively widespread throughout London. The grasslands are found on flat or gently sloping ground over areas of London clay and gravels.
Most of the boroughs remaining meadow and pasture is located in Epping Forest, although other sites remain in north Chingford and Tottenham Marshes. Due to the local geology, much of the meadow and pasture in Epping Forest is adjacent to areas of acid grassland, which are the subject of a separate HAP. However due to this proximity the habitat forms a coherent ecological unit and thus supports a larger range of species than would a fragmented habitat.
Epping Forest and most of the other sites have a long history of being grazed, although in recent years some areas have been harvested for hay. This tradition of grazing means they are of historic and scientific value.
Current Status
The London Biodiversity Audit estimates there to be 250 ha of semi-improved neutral grassland in Waltham Forest. There are about 50ha of clearly defined pasture in Epping Forest, apart from that which is included as acid grassland. Most of this is within the SSSI. In addition a number of clearings and small areas used for amenity can be included in the classification; they have a similar history but the habitat is less rich at present.
The main areas containing this type of habitat are Chingford Plain, Whitehall Plain, the Birkbeck, Pole Hill, and the slopes below Woodford Golf course. Various other small areas exist as clearings. Elsewhere small areas of meadow remain at Hawkwood Nursery, the edge of Larks Wood and Mansfield Hill and Tottenham Marshes.
Typical grasses include meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis), yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus), rough meadow grass (poa trivialis) and smooth meadow grass (Poa pratensis), with glaucous sedge (Carex glauca) and field wood rush (Luzula campestris). Herbs include Bird's foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris), Black knapweed (Centaurea nigra), Meadow vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis), Ribwort plantain (Plantago laceolata), stitchwort (Stellaria holostea), Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) and many others.
These grasslands support a good range of invertebrates and are also used by moles, shrews and other small mammals. Many bird species use the areas as feeding grounds. Uncut meadows with low bushes such as Chingford Plain and Mansfield Hill support nesting birds such as willow warblers and whitethroats.
Anthills of the Yellow Meadow ant are a particularly widespread and prominent feature of the plains. The well-drained soil on the anthills provides a microhabitat which increases plant diversity.
Specific Factors Affecting the Habitat
Decline in cattle grazing
The cessation of cattle grazing is the major cause of decline in grassland habitat. Pastures were shaped by cattle-grazing, which has on some sites been continuous for hundreds of years. The reduction of grazing promotes the growth of rank vegetation and scrub. Recently grazing with longhorn cattle has resumed in parts of Epping Forest.
Changes in grassland management
Changes in grassland management, such as drainage, pesticide use, enrichment and inappropriate mowing regimes can all result in a more uniform sward with a decline in species.
Scrub encroachment
Cessation of grazing, and lack of appropriate mowing regimes has meant scrub species have increased within the grassland areas. Unless controlled, the growth of scrub and woodland species will result in loss of habitat, decline in dependant species and a reduced landscape quality.
Amenity use
The growth of leisure activities has led to pressure for increased car parking and surfaced paths. In parts of Epping Forest high levels of use has resulted in erosion especially from bikes, walkers, and horse riding, and to disturbance to reptiles and ground nesting birds.
Nutrient enrichment
Air pollution and dog walking may alter the plant species present, by increasing the amount of available nutrients which will favour more robust plant species such as docks and nettles to the detriment of the less vigorous species.
Current Action
Legal Status
Most of the boroughs meadows and pastures are in public ownership. The areas concerned in Epping Forest are within the Epping Forest SSSI, and Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation, to which the 1994 Habitats Directive applies. Epping Forest is owned by the Corporation of London and protected under the Epping Forest Act 1878 as Public Open Space (POS). Tottenham Marshes is within Lee Valley Regional Park is designated as SSSI and managed as POS. Elsewhere in the borough the identified meadows and pasture are designated as Metropolitan Green Belt and are Principle Sites of Nature Conservation Importance as defined in Waltham Forests Unitary Development Plan, 2002.
Management and restoration
Meadows and pastures owe their existence and diversity to cattle. Cattle-grazing is the ideal management tool, as it provides a varied sward height for different plants and insects and can create areas of bare ground for seedling establishment.
The Corporation of London has entered into a partnership with a local commoner to re introduce cattle grazing. In June 2002 twelve English longhorns were released in the central area of Epping Forest. These cattle are a long term conservation herd and are not being raised for meat. It is expected that the numbers will increase providing winter grazing can be found (grazing is not permitted on the Forest then). These animals have a stockperson to allow them to be moved to different areas as required, including the northern parts of the borough. In order to encourage more commoners to release cattle in the traditional way the Corporation have been working with relevant local authorities, including Waltham Forest, to erect warning signs and promote the ideals of reduced traffic speeds on Forest roads.
Whitehall Plain and The Birkbeck are cut for hay at present, which is not a tradition in Epping Forest, but nevertheless maintains the grass in a better condition than just leaving it alone. Other areas are maintained by a regime of annual cut and lift.
Outside the main part of Epping Forest, the isolated and/or urban nature of other sites in the borough, together with restrictions on fencing mean that cattle grazing in the near future is unlikely. These areas are managed by mowing, with the following provisos:
Mowing alone reduces grassland flower diversity and encourages coarse grasses. Some Forest plants like Spiny Rest harrow (Ononis spinosa), Petty Whin (Genista anglica), and Pepper Saxifrage (Silaum silaus) are adapted to grazing but can be damaged and decline under a mowing regime. Ant hills cannot be mown. Mowing on grasslands reduces the insect diversity. Mowing creates a problem of 'green waste' disposal.
A National Vegetation Classification description for Epping Forest was completed in 2001. This will provide information against which changes in species can be measured. A management plan for Mansfield Hill was produced in 2002, and a conservation mowing regime on part of the site has been in place for over five years.
Lea bridge Conservation volunteers, The Epping Forest Conservation Volunteers, BTCV and Epping Forest Centenary Trust work on the various grassland areas from time to time.
Mechanisms targeting the habitat
Epping Forest Management Plan Waltham Forest Unitary Development Plan Tottenham Marsh Management Plan, Mansfield Park Management Plan.
Key Species
Mammals - skylark, swallow, meadow pipit, tree pipit, green woodpecker
Insects - meadow ant
Reptiles and amphibians - spiny rest harrow, pepper saxifrage, pignut
Plants- grass vetchling
Objectives, Actions and Targets
| Action | Target Date | Lead | Other Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Increase area under grazing | On going | C of L | |
| Carry out a programme of scrub removal on Mansfield Hill | 2006 | LBWF | BTCV |
| Map and define areas for grassland expansion | 2004 | WFBAPP | C of L |
| Implement management plan for Mansfield Hill | 2003 onwards | LBWF |
| Action | Target Date | Lead | Other Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carry out invertebrate survey | 2004 | C of L | FHC |
| Carry out fungi survey | 2004 | C of L | FHC |
| Run public butterfly transect scheme | 2004 | BC | NC/TPO |
| Produce management plan for Hawkwood Nursery | 2003 | LBWF |
| Action | Target Date | Lead | Other Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seek LNR designation for Hawkwood Nursery Site | 2005 | LBWF |
| Action | Target Date | Lead | Other Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investigate need for interpretation panels at Gateway sites to increase awareness | Feb 2005 | C of L LBWF | |
| Produce leaflet aimed at existing/new users | Aug 2004 | C of L LBWF | |
| Put HAPs on website | 2003 | LBWF | |
| Promote local conservation groups and encourage volunteering | 2003 | WFBAPP | VAWF, BTCV |
| Public awareness event | 1 year | WFBAPP |
