ABSTRACT
Grasslands and heathlands may be classed together as habitats or ecological communities with several factors in common. Grasslands and heathlands are open habitats, dominated by grasses and dicotyledonous herbs or dwarf shrubs, where trees are usually sparse. Prehistoric clearance of woodland enabled native grassland and heathland species to spread, and centuries of traditional management allowed the characteristic vegetation of semi-natural grassland and heathland to develop. Grasslands and heathlands occur over a wide altitude range, from sea level to the uplands. Improved grasslands are generally restricted to the lowlands. Grasslands are the most widespread habitats in the UK and even in towns and cities large proportions of urban land may be grassland. Many are ancient habitats, composed of native species, which are of considerable, and in many cases international, ecological importance. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
