Conservation Management Plan for Lancaster University Grassland - Essay Example

Conservation Management Plan For Lancaster Grassland Introduction Lancaster was established in 1964 after the Second World War by a royal charter (Cameron & White, 2). Lancaster University, now officially known as the University of Lancaster, is positioned among the top research university in the United Kingdom (Tsekos, Ioannes, & Michael, 51). As matter of fact, the University of Lancaster was ranked at position 124th worldwide in the ranking of universities globally (Rich, 37). Additionally, it was number 50 under 50 years best universities internationally (Rich, 39).What contributes to the good standings of the University of Lancaster? The institution is known for its extremely catchy setting and environment. The biodiversity of the campus is breathtaking (Cameron & White, 5). This enhances the quality of education since the image of high quality environment enhances good education outcomes to the lecturers, students and staff of Lancaster University. This article is going to survey the Conservation management plan for Lancaster University. The site that is chosen as topic is the universities grassland. Therefore, the article is going to name factors affecting the grassland at Lancaster University, features involved in the grassland, management objectives and rationale for features and/or factors and management action plan and order of priority. Site Description Grassland can be described as places where most of the vegetation is grass. Grassland is generally found in all continents since it grows by itself. The only place where there is no grassland is the Antarctica because of the chilly conditions, and mostly the ground is covered with snow thus hindering grass growth (Rich, 28). The University of Lancaster however, has very good climate which encourages the growth of a vast grassland area. Lancaster University sits on a large 264 acre piece of land. The land tenure is slightly above 50m elevation (Cameron & White, 10). The soil that encourages grassland growth at the institution is clay soil. The clay soil is good since it is rich in nutrients however, the soil is impermeable thus water is retained at the surface (Cook, 11). This means that plants that do well are ones that do not have long searching roots like plants. This is the reason why grass does well in this region. In addition, clay soils are heavily saturated in rainy climate which means shallow water tables thus water bodies can be easily made through craters. A well known crater is Lake Crater (Rich, 40). Grassland at the University of Lancaster can be said to be improved that is, it has been taken care of unlike other regions where grass grows by itself and is neglected (Rich, 44). The grassland lacks undergrowth or habitats. There is no biodiversity here, no small animals, insects or fauna since the institution mows the grassland to keep it neat and presentable (Hill, 48). The grass is cut so low there is not room for other habitats to develop. The only species of grass here are a few stout species (Cook, 19). In earlier years, before the university mowed the grass, the land was maintained through animal grazing. However, this has given way to woodland in some parts of the grassland as a way of trying to diversify the region. A List of Features of the Grassland and Their Evaluation There are many features of the grassland at the University of Lancaster. The management done here is done by lees than ten people employed by the university. Here we are going to list the futures and their evaluation. The features include the amenity grassland, sport pitches and the grazing land. a) The Amenity Grassland Amenity grassland is land which includes grassed areas around buildings and/or gardens (Cameron & White, 20). The amenity grassland at Lancaster University is well maintained by the management of the institution. The region is mowed every two weeks with the exclusion of the extensive parklands. These places are mowed but grass and other cuttings are not collected. Vertical bankings are mowed annually, because of security reasons, by a strimmer. The regions which are extremely near the school blocks like the verges are boxed and removed. General mowing is done from the month of April to November of every year. b) Sport Pitches The grassland along the sport pitches at the University of Lancaster is also mowed every two weeks just like the amenity grassland. Collection is done after mowing whereby the cuttings are boxed, removed and transported to the local authority waste collection service. Grass on this land is top dressed by sand annually; this is to enhance permeability of water since the soil is clay (Tsekos, Ioannes, & Michael, 50). On top of the dressing, the soil is given vertidrain aeration one per year (Cameron & White, 23). This is to drain excess water to avoid a swamp since clay retains most water at the surface due to partial permeability. Moreover, fertilizer is applied to grass on this land periodically. The application of fertilizers based on a number of issues including the major ones to be availability of funds and condition of turf. There is also a cricket square which is under an average condition due to poor drainage system (Tsekos, Ioannes, & Michael, 55). In fact, matches are played at the city grounds and not in the institution. The bowling green area is under extremely good standards. It has been kept so by the club members. c) Grazing Land There used to be a grazing land let out by the institution where animals could graze on the grass instead of mowing under the agricultural tenancy agreement (Cameron & White, 7). This is no longer the case as the graze land area has been turned into a woodland area. This was done under a master plan by the institution to try and enhance biodiversity (Hill, 50). It was a good idea since the grassland in this area was cut down so low that insects or other habitant did not have room be established and find their niches. Therefore, with woods and other trees species, undergrowth have an opportunity of developing, the flora and fauna can now be in conjunction (Stevens & Firn, 99). Moreover, small insects and small animals can also find their way into this region hence biodiversity of the grassland of the University of Lancaster. Factors Affecting the Grassland There are many factors affecting the grassland at the University of Lancaster. Firstly, the use of fertilizers on the soil interferes with the soil profile. Fertilizers cause destabilization of soil profile (Cameron & White, 18). This is because some make the soil more acidic and since the soil is impermeable the longer the fertilizer says on the surface grass is bound to dry out (Cook, 22). Secondly, grazing is another factor affecting grassland at Lancaster University. Grazing affects the soil in that animals may eat up all the grass by uprooting from the roots. There is also no uniformity in the grass cutting and no limits to length. This interferes with the growth of grass in the grassland of the University of Lancaster. Thirdly, the soil at the institution is also not a very good type of soil for plant growth (Stevens & Firn, 89). This is because clay soil is impermeable thus not letting enough water be taken in by the grass (Cook, 24). Moreover, the soil may make the area swampy leading to chocking of plants. The grass of Lancaster University does well because the grassland is being taken care of by the institution. Fourthly, human disturbances like walking on the grass, hiking and other activities like mowing affect grassland growth. Walking on grass kills grass by crushing and depriving the grass of all its food and water. Hiking and activities like mowing also interferes with grass since the mower cuts all grass while being stepped on depriving the grass from Water And Food Fifthly, disturbances like flooding affect grassland at the University of Lancaster. Floods are encouraged by the type of soil at the institution because it does not encourage water to be soaked in since clay soil is partially permeable (Stevens & Firn, 101). This affect plants by chocking them due to too much water on the surface. Sixthly, with growth of only one plant type like the grassland of the University of Lancaster, spread of pest and diseases is easy (Gurr et al, 39). This is because one type of disease catches a certain area and because the grass are crowded in one area the whole are is covered by the diseases unlike if there were different plants. Some could resist the disease or maybe the disease does not affect the certain plant which is not grass. This has however been put under control by the introduction of woodland area of the once grazing land (Bardgett, 29). Lastly, other habitats come in with their own disease. Furthermore, with the introduction woodland, there are many habitats calling the place home. With this increase in number of habitat in one place come the need of use of large amounts and many strong pesticides (Bardgett, 40). This affects the grass land in the region since the tress are high up and the soil is impermeable thus the remnants of the pesticides run towards the grasslands (Gurr et al, 43). This is also enhanced by the land tenure of the institution. There is only and elevation of slightly above fifty. This poses a danger to the grass since the land is not high enough or well positioned. Management Objectives and Rationale for Grassland Objectives are goals that an institution sets for itself in order to achieve some obligations. The grassland at the University of Lancaster has many objectives that they need to achieve to enhance the grass. The first objective is to program the number and frequency of mowing at all levels of the grassland (Rees, 29). Mowing has proven time and again that it reduces the fertility of the soil at the institution. The conditions at the institution like relative infertility of soil because of it being clay soil added to the period removal of plants and whatever little nutrient the plants have left only the strong and healthy grass species at the institution. Although mowing is bad it has to be done to maintain the neatness of the institution, moreover, with less mowing shrubs and bushes may start to appear and this would not reflect positively ion the schools surroundings and environment as a whole. However, the mowing has to be accurately timed to make it a good service for the grassland, soils and environment. The second objective of the grassland at the institution is that the woodland area must be protected (Rees, 31). As a matter of fact, areas like the amenity grassland will also be mowed less frequently to ensure that other habitats can develop. Cuttings form mowing will also not be removed to act as fertilizers instead of the use of artificial fertilizers which sometimes interfere with soil tenure and quality (Jarvis, 81). This has called for the formation of meadow grassland that is well taken care of just like the grassland. This will not only suit the overall grassland but will also enhance the beauty of the institution itself. Moreover, it will be an indication that the institution cares about biodiversity and not only interested in grassland. The third objective is to reduce human disturbances on the grass (Rees, 32). This will be achieved by creating paths along the grassland. Also mowing and cuttings will be timed to occur after birds and other animals have nested. In order to save small animals and plants, the average mowing machine will not be used but a large tractor will be used to cut grass as it cuts to certain good length and carries the cuttings instead of people stepping on the grass while collecting cuttings. Fourth objective is that the use of top dressing by sand annually will be done three times in a year rather than once to give the soil a good mixture of a very permeable soil and a very impermeable soil(Rees, 33). The mixture is an average permeable soil which has an average water retention level; this is best for grassland and woodland. In addition, soil will be given vertidrain aeration twice annually. This is to aid in its drainage management. With the frequent dressing, vertidrain will not be needed frequently. The last objective is the use of fertilizers will be reduced (Rees, 36). Natural fertilizers in the name of grass cuttings will be favored over artificial fertilizers. This will ensure that the relatively fertile soil at the institution’s grassland is enriched with natural nutrients good for grassland wood growth. The extensive use of artificial fertilizers also interferes with the quality of water at the woodland are at the crater while animals like ducks live in the water. This could pose a dangerous risk to the birds and they must be protected. Management Action Plan and Order of Priority The management plan of the grassland at the University of Lancaster will be based on the most needed, that is on priority. The encouragement of woodland area within the grassland will be the most valued. This is because in order to have biodiversity, other plants more so wood or tress have to be introduced. With tress in sight, undergrowth will be formed giving it the forest feel, other habitats will come into place and enhance biodiversity, the climate will be changed since more tress means more balanced rain hence good food intake for the grassland trees and lastly, the environmental climate will be conducive for learning and learning outcomes. Not to mention the general beauty of the institution because of the birds chipping, small animals sound and cries plus the green lush scenery. In order to achieve this first action plan will be in the mowing department. Mowing frequency, timing and procedure have to be changed. Mowing will have to be done less frequently, no collection of cutting to increase soil fertility and the change of the mower. Tractors will be used which mow and carry cutting while sieving some (Jarvis, 85). This is good because the cuttings will be removed but not entirely as some will be left to act as fertilizers. The number of peole trained to handle this grassland management wills be increased (Jarvis, 88). This is the third action plan and it means training of the staff already working and adding the number of staff to make the work done in few days, effectively and efficiently. This will ensure that the animals are protected, the rules of no stepping on grass followed and adhered to and water at Lake Crater made more clean and safe for the habitat that live in it. It has been noted that there is no composition of cuttings. This is because cuttings, after collections, are dumped at the local authority waste collection service. Therefore, the fourth action plan will be to introduce a cutting collection point. This will also serve as a hay outlet centre. The hay can be sold to small farmers who are no longer allowed to graze at the university of Lancaster grassland region. This will create jobs while also opening a revenue income opportunity. The money can be used to aid the institution to pay off the grassland staff and the owners of the tractors and mowing machines. Conclusion The grassland of the University of Lancaster is doing very well. It has created good scenery to the setting of the institution. Furthermore, it has led to the university to be ranked among the top research institutions in the UK. With proper maintenance and biodiversity program, the grassland will be more advanced and will reveal itself by the learning outcomes of the students. The staff at the institution will also be active in their teaching since trees and grasslands are therapeutic in a way and serve as an eduction enhancer because of the peace and tranquility it offers the environment as a whole. Works Cited Bardgett, Richard D. Biological Diversity and Function in Soils. Cambridge [u.a.: Cambridge Univ. Press, 2005. Print. Cameron S Crook Associates, Ian White Associates. "biodiversity action plan." Lancaster University 6 (2008): 0. Print. Cook, Hadrian. Water Management in the English Landscape: Field, Marsh and Meadow. Edinburgh: Edinburgh Univ. Press, 1999. Print. Gurr, Geoff, Stephen D. Wratten, and Miguel A. Altieri. Ecological Engineering for Pest Management: Advances in Habitat Manipulation for Arthropods. Collingwood, Vic: CSIRO, 2004. Print. Hill, David. Handbook of Biodiversity Methods: Survey, Evaluation and Monitoring. Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press, 2006. Print. Jarvis, S C. Optimisation of Nutrient Cycling and Soil Quality for Sustainable Grasslands: Proceedings of a Satellite Workshop of the Xxth International Grassland Congress, July 2005, Oxford, England. Wageningen: Academic Publishers, 2005. Print. Rees, Paul A. Urban Environments and Wildlife Law: A Manual for Sustainable Development. Oxford: Blackwell Science, 2002. Internet resource. Rich, Johnny. The Push Guide to Which University 2006. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes, 2005. Print. Stevens, Carly and Firn, Jennifer. "Lancaster Environment Centre." Life-history constraints in grassland plant species: a growth-defence trade-off is the norm 16 (2013): 513-521. Print. Tsekos, Ioannes, and Michael Moustakas. Progress in Botanical Research: Proceedings, 1st Balkan Botanical Congress. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1998. Print. Read More