Fersiwn Gymraeg ar gael yma
Wildflower meadows are I’m sure something you have heard about. They conjure up an image in our minds of soft buttery fields, gentle breezes, birds tweeting and pops of nature’s hues glowing in the mid-afternoon sunshine. Meadows are a form of flower-rich grasslands and are a result of traditional farming systems of hay cutting and grazing over the last few hundred years.
Meadows and grasslands are ideal habitats for over 150 species, ranging from the Lapwing to our humble bumblebee. Unfortunately, over the last hundred years we have seen the decline in many species and wild habitats, including the loss of over 90% of our wildflower meadows here in Wales since the 1930’s. Much of the loss is a result of changes in farming practice and development of land for property. Combine these with the effects of climate change and lack of food and it’s no surprise that 1 in 6 species are now at risk of extinction in Wales.
Nature simply cannot wait, and neither should we. With over 90% of land in Wales being farmed in some way, farming plays a significant role in the future of nature recovery. Current farm subsidies don’t work for farmers, for people or for wildlife, so we’re calling for a change. We have just launched our campaign for a Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) that is fit for purpose. We are calling for a scheme that uses public money to support farmers to grow sustainable food, restore nature and tackle climate change. It must support them to manage the right mix of habitats across at least 10% of their land and reward them fairly for doing so. Our work shows that a minimum 10% of a farm’s enclosed land must be well-managed as a range of habitats to provide nature with what it needs to thrive - including flower-rich, seed-rich and semi-natural habitats, well-managed hedgerows, scrubs and trees and water features. These habitats will support insect, bird and other wildlife populations as a result.
As already mentioned, meadows and flower rich grasslands make up part of this 10% mix we are championing. Meadows and grasslands are spaces that are allowed to grow without the use of heavy chemicals and instead uses the right balance of grazing and management to encourage the growth of a wide variety of different flowering plants, from grasses to orchids. There are also different types of meadows across Wales, depending on the area you live. For example, floodplain meadows enjoy a wet soil, where plants like marsh marigolds, meadowsweet, and marsh orchids can be found. In fact you can find the Southern Marsh Orchid at our Conwy Nature Reserve along with a multitude of other flowering plants, birds and insects. Neutral lowland meadows, which are neither too acidic or alkaline, are home to plants like buttercups and daisies. Meadows in general are home to many species - up to 45 in just one square metre. They are an amazing habitat for attracting a whole host of wildlife and play a vital role in the fight against climate change.
Measures like the Sustainable Farming Scheme are important because they not only support nature recovery but also enable food production to become both more resilient and profitable. Healthy farm ecosystems are less susceptible to disease, drought and costly outsourcing of pesticides. In fact, a new report has been found that there is an average increase in profitability of 42% when farming sustainably. By dedicating space to nature, we are not only taking care of our wildlife but the wellbeing of the future generations to come, because when nature thrives everyone thrives.
However, meadows are not just for farmers and nature reserves; they are something that can be created at home. This is what is so exciting and beautiful about wildlife meadows. Even a small patch of greenery can be transformed into a hive of activity with a little imagination and a little bit of work. Plus, it does not have to be expensive or time consuming. An easy way to start is by simply not mowing your lawn and watching what grows. Check out this link for a no mow guide. Or if you feel like investing more time into a substantial wildflower meadow : here is a detailed RSPB step by step guide to follow.
If you want to join our campaign to support Wales’ farmers to become nature and climate champions, sign our e-action here. After all – public money for public goods means that every one of us in Wales has an interest in making this new scheme work for farmers, for people and for nature.Photo credits:
'Wet meadows in flower' - David Kjaer (rspb-images.com)
'Marsh Orchid' - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
Lapwing - Graham Goodall (rspb-images.com)
Wheatear - Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)