This habitat includes a wide range of grasslands, usually on well-drained, acid, mineral soils, occasionally on well-drained peats. It may occur in mosaics with other habitats, such as heaths or Molinia grassland.

Acid grassland with abundant fescues, bents and small herbs has good forage potential and will be preferentially grazed by livestock. Acid grassland containing abundant mosses and/or mat grass, usually in upland areas, will be much less productive.

If grazing is removed, this habitat will become rank and if the grasses become dominant it may lose biodiversity. If grazing levels were high and are then reduced, heath and/or herb species may become more abundant and biodiversity will be increased.

If grazing is introduced or grazing levels increased and there is tree regeneration, the regeneration is likely to become heavily browsed. Herb-rich flushes in acid grassland will be adversely affected by moderate or heavy grazing.

When bracken is chemically suppressed, a grassy sward may develop, with the bracken slowly recolonising over several years. Trampling by livestock may slow the return of the bracken.

With the relatively low stocking density recommended for woodland grazing, acid grassland is unlikely to become overgrazed, though it may become poached in places, especially if there is winter grazing by cattle.

This grassland varies widely in its productivity in terms of forage, depending on the mix of species present, but an abundance of palatable grasses suggests high productivity. Where such grassland is present it is important to determine its extent, as its productivity means that even quite small areas will have a significant impact on the number of grazing animals that the woodland mosaic can support.

In section 6 of these guidance notes you will find guidance on setting stocking densities in woodland containing significant areas of this habitat.

Enclosed acid grassland in the lowlands is included in the UK Biodiversity Habitat Action Plan - Lowland dry acid grassland. Acid grassland may be valuable breeding or wintering ground for birds, e.g. skylark.