Pasture (Improved Grassland)

Improved grassland is common and widespread in the lowland farmlands of West Glamorgan and also occurs widely in some upland areas. It is an intensely managed, high nutrient grassland habitat that is used for grazing and silage. It is invariably dominated by Perennial Rye-grass (Lolium perenne) with lots of White Clover (Trifolium repens) and with variable amounts of other weedy species that compete well under high nutrient conditions such as Yorkshire Fog (Holcus lanatus), Timothy (Phleum pratense), Broad-leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolius) and Creeping Thistle (Cirsium arvense). Patches of improved grasslands often appear intensely green, vibrant and attractive in the landscape but their biodiversity value is rather low and they are of little value for pollinators compared to unimproved and semi-improved grasslands.