Conservation & Ecology
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Chalk grasslands are an ecosystem where a complex web of life takes centuries to establish, but can be lost very quickly
Shetland sheep grazing at Hockley Golf Club behind unobtrusive fencing
This herb-rich grassland contains dozens of species of plant per square metre; sheep’s fescue, salad burnet, quaking grass, rock rose to name a few. Occasionally, pyramidal orchids and fragrant orchids are found. Established chalk grassland has humps which are most visible in winter. These are actually anthills which have grassed over and may be topped with wild thyme. In the chambers below, a small miracle may be taking place; a stowaway which is exploiting the gullibility of the humble but hardworking meadow ant. The caterpillar of the powder- blue chalkhill blue butterfly literally provides a sweetener in the form of sugary drops in exchange for protection from the ants whilst it turns into a pupa and eventually an adult butterfly. Chalk grasslands are an ecosystem where a
Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis) ©Mike Allen
More people are waking up to the fact that people need wildlife for their wellbeing, and making golf courses and sports pitches better for wildlife is not only surprisingly easy, it helps players and visitors feel even better after their time playing
” 116 I PC AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014
complex web of life takes centuries to establish, but can be lost very quickly. One of the threats to chalk grassland is neglect. Without grazing or careful cutting and collecting, the scrub moves in. Intentional or accidental application of herbicide or fertilisers is also disastrous for these habitats. Golf courses and sports pitches represent a
huge area of our countryside and urban green space and, of course, have their place in the landscape. But these stories show us that, in certain key locations, this land can help our rare wildlife to survive. By opening certain areas beyond regular play to specific types of management, course managers can open a world of opportunities for rare wildlife to flourish across the landscape.
Sometimes, this comes at a minor
inconvenience in the form of a temporary electric fence, a more relaxed mowing regime or a buffer strip where there is no spraying, but people are often surprised at how it enhances their sporting experience having a natural backdrop to their course. It is also good for the reputation of the sporting estate as it plays its part in conserving threatened wildlife. In the long run, it may actually mean less work for often stretched groundstaff. And, what price can you put on a swallow skimming over long grass full of flowers? More people are waking up to the fact that people need wildlife for their wellbeing, and making golf courses and sports pitches better for wildlife is not only surprisingly easy, it helps players and visitors feel even better after their time playing. There are wider benefits to society as well.
We have all heard that bees and other pollinators have declined nationally due to loss of wildflowers in the countryside. Without bees, certain crops will not grow. Creating flower-rich refuges will help reverse the declines and ensure we continue to produce home-grown fruit and veg, and support the economy.
What part can you play?
One of the biggest barriers to more of these success stories is the culture of tidiness - cutting back and mowing all areas because that’s what has always happened. It only takes someone with a bit of imagination to see the greater beauty in a backdrop of wildflowers
Chalkhill Blue (Polyommatus coridon) ©Micky Pape
Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina) ©G. Hoggarth
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