Grassland

Over 60% of Ireland is covered by grassland of one type or another and this does not include areas covered by annual crops, golf courses and lawns.  Grasslands are economically important in Ireland as they account for much of our agricultural production and they also provide vital areas for amenity and tourism. 

In addition to the economically important grassland types there are also several grassland types of conservation value which support diverse plant and animal communities, often rich in species numbers of both plants and invertebrates. These include orchid-rich calcareous grasslands, coastal machairs, species-rich and neutral grasslands, and wet grasslands such the Shannon callows.

 What Can I Do?

• Let your garden go a bit wild!  Rather than follow the trend for bright green, weed-free, manicured lawns (which require substantial input of fertiliser and weed killer) or low maintenance surfaces in your garden, opt for a low maintenance wildflower garden.  Just make sure seed is locally sourced.  Speak to Seed Savers about approved dealers.
  
• If farming, adhere to Good Farming Practice and if you farm within protected areas, discuss farm management with your local wildlife ranger to find a regime that works for you but for wildlife too!
  
• Consider joining REPS, the Rural Environment Protection Scheme.  Go to http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/ for details.
  
• Leave wildlife strips along the edges of fields.
  
• Celebrate landscape features such as dry stonewalls, trees and hedgerows.  Not only will they add a positive visual element, they will also provide a variety of habitats which will increase the variety of plants and animals.
  
• Where species rich grassland are to be lost to construction, collect seed and turf and create similar habitat nearby.
  
• Maintain leave strips along river banks to ensure a wildlife corridor is maintained.
  
• For more information on Grasslands in Ireland, species and the legislation that protects grasslands download Grasslands Factsheet