Chalk Grassland
Chalk grassland is an important habitat at The Sustainability Centre, and one that is under threat nationally. Plants species such as marjoram, carline thistle, agrimony, weld, pyramidal orchid and greater knapweed all thrive here.
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Not only do we nurture and enhance our pre-existing chalk grassland, but we have also created chalk grassland areas and meadows using native wildflowers around our site. We enjoy watching these areas grow and develop over time!
Chalk grassland alone has seen an 80 % decline since the Second World War, so what was once widespread habitat has turned into an elusive gem. However, we, along with many other organisations, groups and individuals are working hard to change this! Our chalk grassland and wildflower meadows are managed in a way to optimise biodiversity. Numerous beautiful flowers are nestled within them, including cowslip, greater knapweed, field scabious and small scabious, bird’s foot trefoil, marjoram and several orchid species. Indeed, chalk grassland is so diverse, it has been dubbed Europe’s equivalent to tropical rainforest, with up to 45 plant species per square metre! These plants, in turn, attract butterflies, moths, bees, beetles and other invertebrates, which, of course attract reptiles, birds and small mammals - an example of the complex connections that occur within a healthy habitat. Over half of the UK’s butterfly species can be found in chalk grassland. Indeed, here at the Sustainability Centre, our meadows are graced with numerous butterflies, including marbled white, gate keeper, comma and several species of blue butterflies. Huge ant mounds have built up over many generations, which create microclimates and areas of light aerated soil. green woodpeckers enjoy feeding at our ant mounds too. When the flowers are over, goldfinches and other birds can be seen feasting on their seed heads. 
Did you know? Many species of blue butterfly have interesting relationships with ants: Some species, such as the chalkhill blue and silver studded blue, enter a mutually beneficial relationship whereby ants harvest sweet secretions from caterpillars and offer them protection from predators, whilst the large blue butterfly larvae mimics ant larvae by emitting chemical signals to prompt ants to take it to their nest where it feeds on ant larvae! |
Here at The Sustainability Centre we are reclaiming and restoring overgrown areas of chalk grassland, thus providing a haven for plants and insects. 
Did you know? When early settlers cleared land for livestock, the centuries of grazing that followed prevented scrub and trees from returning. The combination of dry conditions, low nutrient levels, high alkalinity and grazing/cutting favours stress-tolerant species. Here’s where chalk grassland flora steps in. Other nutrient-hungry species just don’t have the resources they need, so the beautiful flowers and grasses of the chalk can thrive! |
