The definition of upland for the Durham BAP is all land within the North Pennines Natural Area.
Most upland acid grassland is relatively species-poor but occasionally very species-rich examples are found which are closely related to the NVC community U4c (Rodwell 1998)*. This is a poorly understood type of grassland. The description in British Plant Communities is based only on a small number of samples from the Peak District. In 2006 and 2007 similar vegetation was found several times in the North Pennines, in mostly small patches on unmown banks within upland hay meadows, but it may also occur in other situations in the uplands.
This type of grassland may be very important for the following rare or uncommon plants:
- adder’s-tongue
- alpine bistort
- bird’s-eye primrose
- eyebright (Euphrasia rostkoviana)
- fragrant orchid (subspecies borealis & conopsea)
- greater butterfly-orchid
- shady horsetail
- small white-orchid
- twayblade
Identification & Mapping
Typical grasses and rushes include: common bent, red fescue, crested dog’s-tail, sweet vernal-grass, and field wood-rush.
The typical acid grassland herbs tormentil and heath bedstraw are normally present. Sometimes other species normally associated with acid grassland are also present including heath rush, purple moor-grass, sheep’s fescue, heather, bracken, wavy hair-grass, mat grass, hard fern and bilberry.
This vegetation is highly species rich, normally with more than 20 species per square metre.
To meet the definition at least three of the following indicator species should be present and usually at least one of these is frequent:
- betony
- bitter-vetch
- devil’s-bit scabious
- heath grass
- zig-zag clover
In addition the vegetation will usually contain at least five of the following:
- bluebell
- bugle
- bush vetch
- cat’s-ear
- common bird’s-foot-trefoil
- common dog-violet
- common milkwort
- common spotted-orchid
- downy oat-grass
- eyebright (Euphrasia arctica)
- germander speedwell
- harebell
- heath spotted-orchid
- lady’s bedstraw
- meadow oat-grass
- meadow vetchling
- mountain pansy
- northern marsh-orchid
- pignut
- primrose
- quaking-grass
- ribwort plantain
- rough hawkbit
- selfheal
- wood anemone
- wood horsetail
- yarrow
Condition Assessment
- Cover of wild flowers and sedges throughout the sward (excluding undesirable species) more than 30%.
- At least 20 species present per square metre.
- Cover of litter/thatch less than 30%.
- Cover of bare ground (including localised areas e.g. rabbit warrens) less than 10%.
- Cover of undesirable species (creeping thistle, spear thistle, curled dock, broad-leaved dock, common ragwort, common nettle, false oat-grass, tufted hair-grass, bracken) less than 10%.
Averis A, Averis B, Birks J, Horsfield D, Thompson D & Yeo M. (2004). An illustrated guide to British upland vegetation. Joint Nature Conservation Committee.
*Rodwell J (ed.) 1998. British Plant Communities, Volume 3 Grasslands and montane communities. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
