| Calcareous (limestone) grasslands: Chee Dale
The White Peak's limestone grasslands are typified by those found in Chee Dale, which are characterised by grasses such as sheep's fescue, quaking grass and meadow-oat grass. Where there is less grazing, taller, coarser grasses, including hairy oat grass, cocksfoot, yorkshire fog and false brome are also found.
Common flower species include early purple orchids, cowslips, birds foot trefoil, limestone bedstraw and wild thyme. Rare species include fragrant orchids, small scabious, spring cinquefoil, kidney vetch and salad burnet.
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The Peak District is a meeting point between northern and southern types of calcareous grassland thus, on south-facing slopes, southern calcareous species such as dwarf thistle are found, whilst on the north-facing slopes northern calcareous species, such as mountain everlasting, are found. The grasslands support a range of butterflies, including the northern brown argus, meadow brown, common blue, dark green fritillary and small and large skipper, as well as birds such as the yellowhammer. Scattered colonies of glow-worm are also present.
Unimproved calcareous grasslands are extremely restricted in extent and are recognised as a key Biodiversity Action Plan habitat. However, although many have been lost to aggregates extraction, sympathetic restoration of former quarry sites can recreate and extend this important habitat within the Peak. |
