Why extensive means abundant for grassland biodiversity
Managed in a traditional way since the late 18th century, a meadow in the demesne of Birr Castle took pride of place at a landmark event, today, June 12.
Co-hosted by the Heritage Council and Teagasc, the Extensive Grassland Biodiversity Event featured high profile speakers and subject matter experts in the area, sharing key messages on extensive grassland’s role for pollinators, birds and biodiversity.
Ireland’s farming canvas includes many areas of extensive grassland, of note is the 210,000ha being managed as extensively managed pasture under the current Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES); under the same scheme, over 450,000ha of grassland receive a results-based payment, based on their biodiversity support value.
At the event, Teagasc Scheme Support Specialist, Mícheál Kelly spoke to a number of speakers to hear their key messages.
Teagasc Research Officer, Niamh Phelan outlined Ireland’s huge diversity of pollinators - including over 100 species of wild bees, 21 of which are bumblebees and 80 are of the often-unnoticed solitary bee species – and the role extensive grasslands, abundant in plant and grass species, play in providing a food through pollen and other ecosystems benefits.
Mícheál Kelly, Teagasc Scheme Support Specialist, spoke to Niamh Phelan at the Extensive Grassland Biodiversity Event to find out more:
Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council, Ricky Whelan addressed some of the key management practices for extensive grasslands, including a meadow management approach where a single cut of silage is taken at the end of the season – allowing for the creation of a valuable feed reserve for pollinators and birds through flowering and seeding, and the natural regeneration of biodiverse swards through seed dispersal.
Ricky Whelan shares some of his key messages with Mícheál Kelly in the below video:
Additionally, in the video below, Jesmond Harding of Butterfly Conservation Ireland highlighted the importance of flower-rich, semi-natural grassland as a habitat for butterflies, noting that they serve an important function for many of our endangered species.