A management tool for monitoring the botanical condition of EWT grassland nature reserves
5) Botanically no change: The same desirable attributes are outside targets and there is no
change in the estimates for these attributes and the same discretionary attributes arc outside
the targets.
6) Partially destroyed/ Destroyed: If it has been removed or irretrievably altered.
Conclusion
Management of grasslands is critical to their conservation and it is vital that if features are unfavourable
or appear to be declining in condition then remedial action is necessary. In order to utilise Trust
resources appropriately, priorities need to be assigned to different categories. Support from the
Trust should focus on these priorities for the following year This grassland monitoring system has
been developed to take in to account the needs of grasslands on Trust reserves and the resources
available to give a cost effective management tool.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank the volunteers who trialled the system and fed back their thoughts.
References
ROBERTSON, H.J. & JEFFERSON, R.G. (2000) Monitoring the condition of lowland grassland SSSIs:
part I -English Nature's rapid assessment method. English Nature Research Reports, No. 315.
Peterborough.
ROBERTSON, H. J., JEFFERSON, R.G., WILSON, P.J., REED, M.E., McDONNELL, E., WHEELER.
B. (2002) Interim report: monitoring grassland Biodiversity Action Plan Targets, condition and
restoration assessment methodologies for non-statutory grasslands. English Nature. Peterborough.
106
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