![]() Grassland soils also provide us with useful ecosystem services by sequestering carbon, locking up harmful pollutants, improving pollination on surrounding farmland and holding back floodwaters.ĭespite being part of our natural and cultural heritage, species rich grasslands have been disappearing rapidly since the end of the first world war. They are capable of supporting healthy populations of insects, birds, bats, amphibians and many other animals. Species rich grasslands have a high diversity of native wildflowers and grasses, which have co-evolved with traditional farming techniques over the last 6000 years. To support a healthy and biodiverse ecosystem, identifying and caring for remaining meadow fragments is essential. This is devastating for the hundreds of plants, invertebrates and fungi species which rely on these important habitats. Species rich grasslands were once common in Britain but over 97% have been lost in less than a century. Perennial grasses are also fast-growing, particularly on overfarmed, nutrient-poor soils.Species Rich Grasslands - What they are and why they matter This complexity, or grasses at various heights and sizes, is ideal for bird populations during nesting and roosting. The type of grass that is planted matters-studies have shown that the more biodiverse a grassland is, the more structurally complex the habitat. ![]() Because grasslands store large amounts of carbon, grassland restoration has the potential to help mitigate the effects of climate change. Planting native perennial grasslands on previously degraded farmland has proven successful in restoring habitat and increasing carbon sequestration. ![]() When identifying areas of high need, wildlife experts prioritize areas and use methods that could achieve this outcome. Previous studies have shown that birds prefer large habitats with high grass-species diversity. Grassland birds, such as the prairie chicken, plover, and bobolink, need a complex environment of varying structure, area, and grass types. Financial incentives, referred to as agri-environmental schemes (AES), allow farmers to continue to profit from their acreage while being able to ensure that birds can thrive. ![]() Today, grasslands are primarily used for grazing and haying and are often converted for farming.Ī grassland can serve many functions if restored and managed to create natural conditions. Native American peoples inhabited grassland environments, using them for foraging and hunting. Grasses are, of course, the dominant plant species, but other vegetation can be present, like legumes, flowering plants, and shrubs. Planting native perennial grasslands on previously degraded farmland can restore bird habitat.Ī native grassland is characterized by the plant composition and how the land is used. “This is troubling due to the variety of ecological services provided by birds, as well as cultural, recreational, and aesthetic values.” Curtis Burkhalter writes, grassland birds face the problem of declining populations as “no other avian guild” does. But federal agencies are working to restore these ecosystems by encouraging farmers to conserve grasslands through financial incentives, leading to increases in bird populations and carbon storage.īut on the whole, researcher J. As grasslands shrink, so does habitat for many bird species. Birds rely on the grasslands for habitat and food sources, and in turn, they disperse seeds and control insect populations. Grasslands have many ecosystem values: soil conservation, flood mitigation, and habitat for a plethora of species, particularly birds. As the demand for croplands increases, native grasslands will continue to be in jeopardy. Since the 1900s, native grasslands have been some of the most threatened ecosystems in the United States, losing up to 99 percent of their area due to intensive agriculture, haying, and grazing.
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