Semi-natural Grasslands (inactive)
The EGF Working Group “Semi-natural Grasslands” chaired by Bettina Tonn (Germany) had a short workshop on 5 June in Lublin (Poland). The objective was to develop a common understanding and definition of ‘semi-natural grasslands’ and delineate them from other broad categories of grasslands, with a focus on the agricultural and environmental services and challenges that characterize these grasslands.
A second workshop was held in the run-up to the EGF General Meetings 2014 in Aberystwyth, United Kingdom (Information below).
This working group is currently inactive.
2014 - Second meeting of the Working Group in Aberystwyth
The EGF Working Group “Semi-natural Grasslands” held their 2nd meeting in Aberystwyth on the 7th of September 2014.
The morning session was centred on the question of defining and/or classifying semi-natural grasslands. Results of the Working Group questionnaire on this topic were discussed. Three presentations offered further perspectives into the classification, definition and evaluation of semi-natural grasslands.
The afternoon session consisted in a field trip to the Rhos Talgas Special Area of Conservation. The site is of particular conservation interest due to the presence of the Mash fritillary butterly (Euphydryas aurinia) and consists mostly of marshy grassland dominated by Purple moor grass (Molinia caerulaea) and rushes (Juncus spp.). The visit offered the opportunity for intense exchange with a very dedicated site manager and with representatives of Natural Resources Wales, who organized the trip.
We thank all speakers, organizers and participants for a very successful and stimulating meeting.
The next meeting of the Working Group is planned in conjunction with the 26th EGF General Meeting to be held in 2016 in Norway.
For more information, contact Dr Bettina Tonn, chair of the Working Group “Semi-natural Grasslands”, btonnextra@gwdg.de.