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Avoid ploughing in heritage meadows

Habitat Function Type of work
Open space
Living environment, Soil system
Grassland management

Grassland management should avoid, as far as possible, significant soil and soil degradation. Any movement on grassland will have an impact on soil and soils, and it is important to minimise this impact.

Description of the action

Avoid ploughing in heritage meadows.

Why?

In calcareous grasslands with a high lime content, it is important to avoid breaking up the established ridge, which makes the soil unsuitable for many soil-dwelling species. Aeration of the soil by ploughing intensifies the decomposition of organic matter and leads to a reduction of humus in the soil.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

Unless otherwise indicated, this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.