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THE DIVERSE NATURE OF HAY MEADOWS |
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Why Hay Meadows
The diversity of flowers and plants in an unimproved hay meadow or lowland pasture, with many different species often in quite small areas, create natural beauty and vibrant colour.
This contrasts sharply with the uniform green of improved pastures and silage fields, common throughout the Cumbrian landscape, which have just a few competitive species. Unimproved hay meadows and lowland pastures were once a familiar site in the British countryside, but more intensive farming methods since World War II have led to declines in these habitats of up to 97%.
It is thought, for example, that less than 500 hectares (1,200 acres) of upland hay meadow now remain in Cumbria. However, with the introduction of Environmental Stewardship - a new scheme to help farmers and other landowners deliver environmental benefits on their land - it is hoped that some local improvements will be possible.
Hay meadows and lowland pastures are particularly important for species such as the brown hare and breeding birds such as redshank, curlew and yellow wagtail. They can also provide important feeding areas for insects including butterflies and bees and for insect-feeding bats. Other predators, such as barn owls and stoats, use these habitats as hunting grounds.
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