Vegetation
This is a very species-poor grassland assemblage and there are only a few constant species. Holcus lanatus, Agrostis stolonifera and Lolium perenne form the bulk of the medium-height sward alongside Ranunculus repensand Trifolium repens (mean graminoid height = 26.7 cm, n = 149; mean forb height = 19.1 cm, n = 149). Cerastium fontanum is frequent and, together with Lolium perenne and Trifolium repens, is indicative of the agriculturally-improved nature of the community. Poa trivialis would have been frequent in this community in the past as it was included in old seed mixes; it is probably less frequent now.
Ecology
The Holcus lanatus – Lolium perenne grassland is a variable semi-improved community of wet pastures and meadows found commonly across the lowlands of the country (mean altitude = 83 m, n = 149; mean slope = 3.5°, n = 149). It occurs on gleyed or drained mineral soils (mean organic content = 17.1%, n = 125) that are fairly acidic and, despite the agricultural improvement, the vegetation suggests that they are only mildly fertile
Sub-communities
No sub-communities are described.
Similar communities
Juncus spp. are not as frequent as they are in communities GL2B and GL2D and should not dominate. The semi-improved grasslands of GL3B Lolium perenne – Trifolium repens grassland are better drained and typically, with the exception of subcommunity GL3Biii, more species-rich.
Conservation value
This is a species-poor grassland community (species/4 m2 = 12.2, n = 246) of relatively low conservation value.
Management
These swards are managed as improved grazing land (typically for cattle) and/or for silage. Fertiliser application and reseeding will typically occur periodically. The main threats to these grasslands include further improvement and abandonment.