Acid Grassland Moors

Acid grasslands generally consist of rough, unpalatable (to sheep!) species and tend to be dominated by mat grass and purple moor grass.  The peat is generally less than 20 cm deep, so the grass roots can reach through the peat layer to the mineral rich soil below.

The grass moor can provide habitat for small mammals and feeding areas for moorland birds.  However, it is not of high conservation value like heathland habitats and indeed much of these have been lost to grassland as a result of severe overgrazing in the past.

This photograph illustrates the effect that different grazing practices can have on the moorland. The left hand side of the fence has been overgrazed relative to the right hand side

The graph below illustrates the loss of moorland relative to increase in grassland, in the Peak District over a 20 year period.