Scientific name	Molinia caerulea – Potentilla erecta – Agrostis stolonifera grassland
Common name	Purple Moor-grass – Tormentil – Creeping Bent grassland
Community code	GL1D

 

    

Download full pdf synopsis: GL1D

 

Vegetation

Molinia caerulea is the dominant species of this community, usually growing as large tussocks which make ground covered by this vegetation tiresome to traverse. Potentilla erecta grows through the tussocks and can be abundant. No other species are constants, but Juncus acutiflorus, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum and Holcus lanatus are frequent and help form a fairly tall, rank sward. Succisa pratensis and Filipendula ulmaria are also frequent. A component of small sedges consists of Carex panicea, C. flacca, C. nigra and C. echinata.

 

Ecology

The Molinia caerulea – Potentilla erecta grassland is typically a lowland assemblage on wet, very infertile and acidic basin peats and peaty gleys.

 

Sub-communities

Three sub-communities are described. The Filipendula ulmaria – Hydrocotyle vulgaris sub-community (GL1Di) reflects the wetter end of this community’s variation. The Holcus lanatus – Festuca rubra sub-community (GL1Dii) conversely represents examples in drier (but still relatively wet) situations. The Calluna vulgaris – Nardus stricta sub-community (GL1Diii) contains heathland indicators and may be found at higher than average altitudes; this assemblage is transitional to wet heath.

 

Similar communities

Succisa pratensis is frequent but less abundant than in the more species-rich GL1C Molinia caerulea – Succisa pratensis grassland, which also has a higher forb cover.

 

Conservation value

This is a fairly species-poor grassland community, but some of the more diverse examples with Cirsium dissectum and lower dominance of Molinia caerulea qualify as EU HD Annex I habitat 6410 Molinia meadows.

 

Management

These swards are managed as rough grazing land (typically for cattle) but at a low intensity. The main threats to these grasslands include improvement, abandonment and afforestation.