Irish Vegetation Classification (IVC) www.biodiversityireland.ie/ivc Community Synopsis

Scientific name cristatus – Trifolium pratense grassland Common name Crested Dog’s-tail – Red Clover grassland Community code GL3D

Vegetation The main grass species of this rather low sward are Cynosurus cristatus and Agrostis capillaris, with Holcus lanatus, Anthoxanthum odoratum and Festuca rubra also constant (mean graminoid height = 13.2, n = 198). The broadleaved herbs comprise chiefly Plantago lanceolata, Trifolium repens, Prunella vulgaris, Trifolium pratense, Cerastium fontanum and Hypochaeris radicata (mean forb height = 8.7 cm, n = 198). Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus is a constant beneath and can be abundant. There are often signs of some agricultural improvement, with Senecio jacobaea, Bellis perennis, and Cirsium arvense being fairly frequent.

Ecology The Cynosurus cristatus – Trifolium pratense grassland may be regarded as a fairly standard neutral, semi-natural pasture community of mineral soils (mean organic content = 18.4%, n = 130) in the lowlands (mean altitude = 88 m, n = 198). It occurs on sloping (mean slope = 9.7°, n = 198), well-drained soils of medium fertility.

Sub-communities No sub-communities are described.

Similar communities This community is similar in composition to the GL3C Festuca rubra – Trifolium pratense grassland and the GL3E Festuca rubra – Rhinanthus minor grassland. Its lower sward is typically more species-rich than either, however. It lacks the tussocky grasses found in GL3C and some of the more calcareous indicators found there (e.g. Galium verum, Briza media). In GL3C Agrostis stolonifera rather than Agrostis capillaris is a constant. GL3D differs from GL3E by lacking Rhinanthus minor and also by being somewhat more semi-improved.

Records and distribution

Number of records (all) Clearly assigned: 895 Transitional: 126 Total: 1,021

Number of records (mapped) 2001-2015: 274 1986-2000: 34 1971-1985: 6 Pre-1971: 375 Total: 689

Number of hectads (most recent records) 2001-2015: 152 1986-2000: 14 1971-1985 3 Pre-1971: 166 Total: 335

Number of hectads (all mapped records) 2001-2015: 152 1986-2000: 22 1971-1985 4 Pre-1971: 218

Synoptic table (n = 810) Species Frequency Cover Species Frequency Cover (from I-V) min (med) max (from I-V) min (med) max Plantago lanceolata V +-(5)-7 Brachythecium rutabulum III +-(3)-7 Trifolium repens V 2-(5)-8 Lolium perenne III +-(3)-7 Cynosurus cristatus V 2-(5)-8 Senecio jacobaea III +-(2)-5 Agrostis capillaris V 2-(5)-8 Ranunculus acris III +-(3)-7 Holcus lanatus V +-(4)-8 Ranunculus repens III +-(3)-7 Anthoxanthum odoratum V +-(5)-8 Carex flacca III 1-(3)-7 Prunella vulgaris V +-(3)-6 Taraxacum officinale agg. III +-(2)-5 Trifolium pratense V +-(3)-7 Dactylis glomerata III +-(3)-5 Hypochaeris radicata V +-(3)-8 Cirsium palustre III +-(2)-5 Festuca rubra V 2-(4)-8 Scleropodium purum II +-(3)-8 Cerastium fontanum V +-(2)-5 II +-(3)-7 Luzula campestris IV +-(3)-7 Plagiomnium undulatum II +-(2)-7 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus IV +-(4)-10 Leucanthemum vulgare II +-(2)-6 nigra IV +-(3)-8 Kindbergia praelonga II +-(2)-7 Rumex acetosa IV +-(2)-5 Cirsium arvense II +-(3)-5 Leontodon autumnalis IV +-(3)-7 Euphrasia officinalis agg. II +-(2)-6 Lotus corniculatus III +-(3)-7 Ranunculus bulbosus II +-(2)-6 Calliergonella cuspidata III +-(3)-8 Leontodon saxatilis II +-(3)-7 Achillea millefolium III +-(3)-7 Potentilla anserina II 1-(2)-5 Bellis perennis III +-(3)-7 Juncus effusus II +-(3)-8

Affinities GHI: GS1 Dry calcareous and neutral grassland (77.3%) / GA1 Improved agricultural grassland (6.1%) / GS2 Dry meadows and grassy verges (6.1%) / GS3 Dry-humid acid grassland (6.1%) (n = 198) ZM: Cynosurion cristati EUNIS: E2.11 Unbroken pastures (E2.112 Atlantic Cynosurus-Centaurea pastures) NVC: MG5 Cynosurus cristatus-Centaurea nigra grassland (73.1%) Annex I: 6210 Orchid-rich calcareous grassland* (20.7%) (n = 198)

Proxy environmental data Light: 6.9 Reaction: 5.5 Wetness: 5.3 Fertility: 4.2 Salinity: 0.2

Conservation value This is a species-rich grassland community (species/4 m2 = 31.7, n = 198) to which belong some examples of the EU HD Annex I priority habitat 6210 Orchid-rich calcareous grassland*.

Management These swards are managed as grazing land (typically for cattle). The main threats to these grasslands include improvement and abandonment.

Key references O’Neill, F.H., Martin, J.R., Devaney, F.M. & Perrin, P.M. (2013) The Irish Semi-natural Grasslands Survey 2007-2012. Irish Wildlife Manuals, No. 78. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Synopsis version: V1.0 Synopsis date: December 2016 Synopsis author(s): P.M. Perrin

Photo 1. GL3D Cynosurus cristatus – Trifolium pratense grassland, Letterfine, Leitrim (A. Delaney/S. Thomas, May 2009)

Photo 2. GL3D Cynosurus cristatus – Trifolium pratense grassland, Knockacullen, Cork (M. Gabbett/F. Valverde, June 2008)