Scientific name	Agrostis canina/vinealis – Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus grassland
Common name	Velvet/Brown Bent – Springy Turf-moss grassland
Community code	GL4D

 

    

Download full pdf synopsis: GL4D

 

Vegetation

The constant graminoids of this community are Anthoxanthum odoratum, Holcus lanatus, Luzula multiflora, Juncus acutiflorus, Agrostis canina/vinealis and Carex echinata. The only constant forb is Potentilla erecta, with Succisa pratensis and Trifolium repens frequent. There is a good bryophyte layer, with Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus usually abundant and accompanied by Hylocomium splendens, Scleropodium purum and Calliergonella cuspidata. Both Molinia caerulea and Nardus stricta can occasionally occur.

 

Ecology

The Agrostis canina/vinealis – Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus grassland is a wet or humid sward of infertile, acidic, organic gleys and peats. It often occurs on gentle slopes at medium elevations.

 

Sub-communities

No sub-communities are described.

 

Similar communities

This community is intermediate between the upland grasslands of the rest of group GL4 and the peaty, wet grasslands of Group GL1. In particular it is superficially similar to the Juncus acutiflorus communities, GL1A and GL1E. It differs from those communities in supporting species characteristic of dry-humid upland swards such as Potentilla erecta, Hylocomium splendens and Luzula multiflora. From the other communities in group GL4, it should be fairly easily distinguished by frequency and abundance of Agrostis canina/vinealis, Juncus acutiflorus, Carex nigra and Carex echinata.

 

Conservation value

This is a grassland community of medium species richness. Some examples with Molinia caerulea correspond to EU HD Annex I habitat 6410 Molinia meadows.

 

Management

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