Calcareous Grassland

The dissolved limestone and low nutrient status in soils in the limestone country favour a high diversity of lime-loving grasses and herbs that will thrive at appropriate levels of grazing. These calcareous grasslands are broadly of two types. The first and least widespread are the blue moor-grass dominated upland grasslands. These are generally rare nationally, being largely restricted to the North Pennines. The Yorkshire Dales National Park contains the largest amount of this habitat. The more widespread type of calcareous grassland is more lowland in character and dominated by fescues and characterised by the presence of fine-leaved sedges. Both upland and lowland calcareous grasslands continue to be on the UK list of priority habitats for biodiversity action. Richer grasslands may include common milkwort and common rock rose. Calcareous grasslands are of very high biodiversity importance in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. For more information about plants of limestone grasslands follow the link below.

Links:

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Calcareous Grassland Habitat Action Plan (opens in new window)

Plants of limestone grasslands (opens in new window)