The calcareous grasslands that occur on chalk or limestone are a familiar feature of the South West landscape. They are rich in wildlife, especially plants and insects, many of which are extremely rare.

Although large areas have been ploughed and enriched with fertilisers over the centuries, significant tracts remain, thanks to traditional farming, particularly on the steeper slopes, and through the incidental protection of large areas through the training needs of the MoD.

Chalk grassland in the South West is concentrated in Wiltshire and Dorset, and comprises a substantial proportion of the UK and European total. There are important areas of limestone grassland in the Cotswolds, on the Mendips, in south and east Devon and in Dorset.

Unploughed calcareous grassland is also important for its wealth of prehistoric remains, as an attractive amenity for local people and tourists, and as a significant part of the South West farming economy.

The South West has an estimated 25,000 ha of calcareous grassland, which amounts to half of the UK total (40,000–50,000 ha). The table below lists examples of important sites in the region.

The following are examples of species that depend on calcareous grassland, some of which are of conservation concern:

The extent of calcareous grassland has fluctuated with the fortunes of the agricultural sector, with a major decline through and since the Second World War.

Two chief factors are identified:

Direct loss to ploughing and conversion to arable land.

Where not ploughed the grassland has been `improved’. In other words the use of chemicals such as fertilisers to favour the production of one or two grasses known to produce better yields from livestock has resulted in an overall loss of diversity.

Where not ploughed or over improved, grassland has often been subject to overgrazing, quarrying, road building, dumping, golf course construction, mortorcycle scrambling and innapropriate tree planting!

Large-scale losses have probably slowed significantly in recent years, although this habitat is probably still declining in quality and quantity.

A number of significant sites have been acquired by voluntary conservation organisations and are managed primarily for their biodiversity. Many sites are now specially protected by a variety of designations (ie Sites of Special Scientific Interest) and conservationists are working with land owners in these places to ensure appropriate management of the grasslands.

Alongside these specially protected sites, payments to land owners to manage their land with wildlife in mind are available. MAFF's Agri-Environment schemes are providing incentives for appropriate grazing, habitat restoration and scrub control – eg Cotswold Hills Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA), South Wessex Downs ESA, and Countryside Stewardship.

The MoD and English Nature have agreed a Declaration of Intent with regard to the management of areas owned and occupied by the MoD.

Restoration/re-creation of 4000ha by 2010.