Chalk Grassland

Chalk grassland (or lowland calcareous grassland) is a habitat of international importance for its rarity and its species richness. It is found over limestone and chalk rocks and grows below an altitude of 250m on shallow, lime-rich soils, mainly in the warmer, drier south and east of the UK. As many as 40 different species can be found within a square metre. The UK holds around 50% of the world’s surviving chalk grassland with major concentrations on the North and South Downs of southeast England. The following species were identified as key species indicators for chalk grassland in good condition