Outstanding Chilterns Magazine_ISSUE 4

Conversation
Not only does livestock grazing
produce a rich and biodiverse
habitat, but it maintains the
lowest level of plant succession
which, in the Chilterns, is chalk
grassland. This is a valuable and
rare habitat in itself, but also
has the highest soil carbon of
any UK habitat. Chalk grassland
has a very important role to
play in carbon sequestration
and storage. When considering
how to maintain grasslands it
is also important to remember
that grazed grassland sequesters
even more carbon than mown
grassland, due to the greater
return of organic matter and
nutrients. It is for these myriad
reasons that supporting livestock
farmers and enabling them to
conserve and, where possible,
extend their permanent pasture
continues to be a focus of
our work.
CASE STUDY: CATTLE GRAZING AT LODGE HILL
Lodge Hill is a SSSI on an isolated hill in the Risborough Gap of
the Chilterns with the Ridgeway path running across it. It was
historically grazed, and the swards are rare relics of ancient
grassland that was once more widespread in the Chilterns. It
hosts remnant populations of rarities such as glow-worms,
frog orchid and yellow meadow-ants. The areas of juniper
and dog-wood scrub are popular with migrating warblers and
other birds, but efforts to control its spread into the valuable
chalk grassland areas have had to be undertaken manually by
volunteer groups since grazing was discontinued. The landowner
has recently entered into a Countryside Stewardship agreement
and, with support from the Chalk, Cherries & Chairs project, this
has facilitated a mechanical scrub clearance operation, building
of a livestock corral and reinstatement of the fencing and water
supply. For the first time in decades a small herd of cattle was
brought onto the hill in spring 2021 and they have been busy
doing their munching, trampling and defecating.
We are very grateful to have a committed team of volunteers
monitoring the site carefully for birds, butterflies, reptiles,
amphibians and plants, and will watch with interest how the
biodiversity develops over the next few years.
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