authority england hectares acres lies south north west chosen designated biological interest cleveland area search biological interest focused species rich grassland found site actively maintained grazing species present predominantly grasses herbs found area classified species composition site small isolated requires careful management avoid damage caused activity neighbouring land reason designated previously english nature uses county system means grouping authority county durham relevant ceremonial county cleveland area search nationally important species rich grassland type grassland common lowland increasingly rare associated species scarce remaining examples habitat lowland area example kilometres south designated time significantly smaller considered grassland represents drained permanent pasture particular considered community species present widespread lowland areas england wales scotland particularly predominantly present substantially different species composition site description located north west metres south village small site hectares acres sewage works site slopes north stream height metres metres underlying geology bridge pasture responsible shaping species rich community found surface glacial sands prominent geological features resulting relatively base poor soil characteristic glacial drift geology soils typically acidic located experiences climate different average receives average millimetres rainfall year similarly roughly days year millimetre rainfall days fewer average despite differences temperature similar fewer days air frost hours sunshine year majority site species rich grassland comprises dominant species grass grass species lower dominant species abundant species grass include tail heath grass broad herbs including bit second present characterised meadow species present include minor grass media species contains meadow perennial grass characteristic species characterised species rich grassland form belt site cover site north community dominated false grass constant species communities british typical community bridge pasture growing soils located northern edge site likely formed north number springs site associated pale form small populations management natural england role advise help owners manage bridge pasture effectively achieve provides guidelines species rich grassland found bridge requires careful management retain high species diversity means activities allowed site including drainage use management site requires moderate grazing summer autumn help maintain species diversity grazing removes year new growth helps stop site dominated vigorously growing grasses grasses allow buildup dead organic matter increased growth reduce growth vigorous species overall effect reduction species diversity reasons designation benefit breaks accumulated dead organic matter small isolated nature site makes susceptible damage surrounding area example thought generally damaging species site drift spray surrounding fields help combat maintenance mature perimeter encouraged condition bridge pasture described favourable means land adequately conservation objectives met scope site condition site described favourable assessments future hoped grazing regime high priority
Whitton Bridge Pasture