GL3F Festuca rubra – Lotus corniculatus grassland
Vegetation
Included in this community are swards grouped due to the common dominance of Festuca rubra. The only other constant species are Plantago lanceolata, Lotus corniculatus and Trifolium repens. Holcus lanatus and Agrostis stolonifera are the most frequent of the other grasses. Species indicative of calcareous grassland may occur (e.g. Carex flacca, Euphrasia officinalis agg. and Koeleria macrantha) but are typically not plentiful. Further variation is discussed under ‘Sub-communities’ below.
Ecology
The Festuca rubra – Lotus corniculatus grassland community is a lowland community found along the coast and inland (mean altitude = 38 m, n = 100; mean slope = 8.8°, n = 100). Soils are dry-humid, rather base-rich, of average fertility and fairly high organic content (mean organic content = 26.7%, n = 87).
Sub-communities
Two sub-communities are described. The Plantago maritima – Plantago coronopus sub-community (GL3Fi) is a maritime vegetation assemblage, found on cliff tops around the coast. The sward is typically very low and tight due to grazing or exposure (mean graminoid height = 5.8 cm, n = 49; mean forb height = 4.0 cm, n = 49), and there is a high cover of Plantago spp. Other maritime species encountered include Armeria maritima and Anthyllis vulneraria, but these are less frequent. The Festuca rubra – Poa pratensis/humilis sub-community (GL3Fii) usually lacks these maritime indicators and may occur in a coastal or inland context. It usually occurs as a rank, ungrazed sward in which Festuca rubra forms a dense springy mat (mean graminoid height = 21.5 cm, n = 51; mean forb height = 14.7 cm, n = 51).
Similar communities
Festuca rubra seldom achieves in other communities of the grassland (GL) division the abundance that is displayed in community GL3F and the aforementioned maritime plants are rarely found with abundance in other GL grasslands. Festuca rubra is, however, a key species in both the SM4 group of upper saltmarshes and the dune grasslands of the DU2 group. Plantago coronopus is a key indicator of the RH4B Plantago coronopus – Armeria maritima coastal rock community which can occur in association with GL3F.
Conservation value
This is a fairly species-poor grassland community (species/4 m2 = 17.9, n = 126) but the maritime assemblage does support a number of coastal specialists. A few swards on soils containing heavy metals and generally found in association with old mine workings in coastal areas, correspond with the EU HD Annex I habitat 6130 Calaminarian grassland.
Management
Sub-community GL3Fi may be grazed by sheep or cattle, or ungrazed. The rank sward of sub-community GL3Fii is usually ungrazed, occurring in inaccessible areas along the coast and abandoned fields inland. Coastal erosion is a threat to maritime communities. Inland communities could gradually be lost if abandonment becomes long-term or if intensive management is introduced.