A meadow is an open habitat dominated by grasses, herbs, and non-woody plants, with few trees or shrubs to maintain its open character. While meadows can form naturally, they are often created by clearing shrub or woodland for hay, fodder, or livestock grazing. Classified as “semi-natural grasslands,” meadows primarily consist of native species with minimal human intervention.
Meadows are crucial for biodiversity, providing habitats for wildlife, and facilitating nesting, food gathering, and pollination. However, intensive agricultural practices, such as frequent mowing and chemical use, can reduce organism abundance and species diversity.
There are various types of meadows, including agricultural, transitional, and perpetual, each serving important ecological roles. Meadows face growing pressures from climate change, which affects local biodiversity. However, they also act as carbon sinks, storing significant carbon in the soil through deep-rooted grasses, thus contributing to climate change mitigation.
