Publication Date
1997
Description
The ESA scheme is the main vehicle in the UK for increasing biodiversity on agricultural land. It is voluntary, and payments are made to compensate for reduced profitability when prescribed practices are followed. These include conversion of cropping land to grassland, zero fertiliser use and late cutting for hay. The scheme is supported by an R & D programme aimed particularly at practical problems arising from the need to reconcile environmental targets with the need to maintain viable and profitable livestock systems. The paper cites examples of this R & D, including choice of seeds mixtures, the role of soil nutrients, introduction of new species to existing grassland, perennial weeds and grassland management for birds.
Citation
Peel, S, "Increasing Grassland Biodiversity within the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme in the U.K" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1997-2023). 10.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session12/10
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Increasing Grassland Biodiversity within the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme in the U.K
The ESA scheme is the main vehicle in the UK for increasing biodiversity on agricultural land. It is voluntary, and payments are made to compensate for reduced profitability when prescribed practices are followed. These include conversion of cropping land to grassland, zero fertiliser use and late cutting for hay. The scheme is supported by an R & D programme aimed particularly at practical problems arising from the need to reconcile environmental targets with the need to maintain viable and profitable livestock systems. The paper cites examples of this R & D, including choice of seeds mixtures, the role of soil nutrients, introduction of new species to existing grassland, perennial weeds and grassland management for birds.
