Current status
Cut-grass is a species of wet meadows, ditches, canal- and river-sides. It grows on nutrient-rich mud of acid to neutral pH, often close to the water`s edge, and sometimes in cattle-poached ground. Despite being found in a variety of habitats, it has several key ecological requirements including the presence of nutrient-rich mud, stagnant or slow-flowing water. Seasonal inundation and regular disturbance provide the areas of bare mud and open vegetation structure that the species needs.
Cut-grass has never been widespread in the UK, and since 1985 it has been recorded at only five sites, all of which are in southern England and one of which is a recent reintroduction. It is now thought to be extinct in Dorset. The Amberly Wild Brooks population is the only sizeable one remaining with plants occurring in many ditches over an area of 300 ha. Cut-grass has been recorded throughout Europe from southern Finland to Spain and eastwards to temperate Asia and North America. Whilst it is reported to grow abundantly in some areas, it has decreased markedly in Europe as a whole.
In Britain cut-grass is classified as Endangered. It is specially protected under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Current factors causing loss or decline
Cessation of traditional watercourse management, including periodic dredging which creates areas of bare mud for colonisation.
Cessation of grazing which is needed to suppress growth of competitive vegetation. The associated poaching of the ground also provides suitable conditions for germination.
Restricted availability of wet grassland and swamp habitat as a result of maintaining drainage systems.
Water pollution may also be a factor, but further research is required to confirm this.
Current action
Populations of cut-grass have been monitored annually for the past 15 years at Amberly Wild Brooks. This work has shown that the plant persists on the banks of managed clean-water ditches which are trampled and grazed by cattle.
Four of the five extant populations are protected within SSSIs.
Attempts were made in 1988 and 1990 to re-establish cut-grass in the New Forest.
Action plan objectives and targets
Maintain the geographical range of cut-grass in Britain.
Enhance its range through the spread of populations from extant sites and through (re)introductions if considered appropriate.
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
None proposed.
Site safeguard and management
Promote beneficial management of all extant sites through relevant agri-environment schemes. Such management will include grazing and periodic dredging of ditches. (ACTION: NE, MAFF)
Where possible, encourage the creation of suitable habitats for the spread of cut-grass within the vicinity of extant populations. Favourable management will include the relevant options under appropriate agri-environment schemes. (ACTION: NE, MAFF)
Ensure that land drainage work does not take place in the vicinity of extant wet grassland populations. (ACTION: EA, IDBs)
Ensure that watercourse management programmes at sites for cut-grass fully take into account the requirements of the species. (ACTION: EA, IDBs)
Ensure that Local Environment Agency Plans and Water Level Management Plans take full account of the requirements of this species. (ACTION: EA)
Prepare watercourse management plans for all SSSIs with extant populations of cut-grass. (ACTION: EA, NE, IDBs)
Species management and protection
Assess the possibility of regenerating cut-grass at suitable historic sites and, if appropriate, undertake experimental management to achieve this. If this fails, the feasibility and desirability of reintroducing cut-grass at selected sites should be considered. (ACTION: NE, JNCC)
Collect seed from all extant populations and deposit in the Millenium Seed Bank at Wakehurst Place (Kew). Plants should also be propagated for reintroductions if necessary. (ACTION: NE, RBG Kew)
Advisory
Ensure that all landowners and managers on extant sites are aware of the presence of this species, its importance and appropriate management for its conservation. (ACTION: NE)
As far as possible, ensure that all relevant agri-environment project officers, relevant drainage engineers and waterways managers are advised of locations of this species and its management requirements. (ACTION: EA, NE, IDBs, LAs, MAFF)
Future Research and Monitoring
Resurvey all extant sites in order to determine the current status of cut-grass, check that appropriate management is in place, and identify any potential threats. (ACTION: NE)
Continue to monitor the Amberly Wild Brooks population, and implement monitoring of all other extant populations. (ACTION: NE)
Undertake ecological research with a view to identifying, more precisely, the requirements of cut-grass and refining management techniques for its conservation. Attention should be given to the influence of water pollution on the performance of this species. (ACTION: JNCC)
Communications and Publicity
Develop links with European botanists, particularly those in areas where cut-grass grows abundantly, so as to improve understanding of the biology and ecological requirements of this plant. (ACTION: JNCC)
Links with other action plans
None given.
Publication details
Originally published in: UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume I: Vertebrates and vascular plants (June 1998, Tranche 2, Vol I, p197)
Related links
ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to this species