This habitat includes a wide range of the more productive grasslands. In a woodland mosaic, these grasslands will be preferentially grazed by livestock.

When grazing is removed, this habitat becomes rank; plant species typical of the habitat are well-adapted to grazing and it needs grazing in order to maintain its biodiversity value. Tree regeneration is often slow to become established and where regeneration has occurred it is likely to become heavily browsed if grazing is reintroduced.

With the relatively low stocking density recommended for woodland grazing, neutral, base-rich or semi-improved grassland is unlikely to become overgrazed. However, where this grassland is present it is important to determine its extent, as its productivity in terms of forage 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.

Unimproved, herb-rich versions of this habitat may include Lowland meadows HAP habitat: For details, see the UK Biodiversity Action Plan website.