| Wildlife Habitats | |
| Grassland |  |
| The Loose
Valley consists of a mosaic of rough, unmanaged grassland, grazed pasture
and dry hay meadows.
Large blocks of grassland in the Loose Valley have been classified by the Kent Habitat Survey as semi- improved. This term is used to describe a grassland that has been modified by artificial fertilisers, slurry, intensive grazing, herbicide or drainage and which consequently has a range of species which is less diverse than unimproved grassland, but more diverse than improved grassland. |
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The importance of the grassland can be demonstrated by the fact that Kent Wildlife Trust has designated much of the Lower Valley as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest. The SNCI summary states that although no rare or unusual plant species are present, the Valley supports a range of grassland species including Meadow Vetchling, Meadow-Pea, and Birds-Foot Trefoil on the dry calcareous slopes. Wet flushes are still present in the grassland where species such as Brooklime, Meadow Sweet and Lady’s Smock can be found. |
| In order to retain the wide variety of species supported by the grassland in the Valley it is essential that grazing by livestock is continued. Sheep and cattle are usually the most appropriate species although care should be taken when stocking as under grazing will allow rank grasses and unpalatable plants to spread, where as overgrazing can lead to excessive poaching and weed invasion. Both can lead to loss of plant diversity and associated wildlife. |
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