Pasture

Permanent pasture and rough grazing (hills, heath and moorland) account for about 58% of the total utilised agricultural area in England of 17.36 million hectares. This rises to nearly 65% if temporary grassland (under 5 years old) is included. This figure will include specific grassland types such as chalk grassland, dry acid grassland and floodplain grazing marsh but the majority will be agriculturally improved pastures that support the livestock sector. Some of this land also protects archaeological features such as ridge and furrow land, ancient settlement sites and remnant water meadows. Due to its prevalence across the landscape, the management of pasture has a significant bearing on the outcomes when considering a landscape-based conservation approach.