Biodiversity Meadows - Frequently Asked Questions

In January 2020 the Dundee Biodiversity Action Plan was produced. This plan has a list of actions that combine to help us attain the vision of 'Working together to protect, enhance and raise awareness of biodiversity in Dundee for the benefit of all.'

The Grassland chapter in the Biodiversity Action Plan highlights that a large proportion of grassland in Dundee is amenity grassland, which has the lowest potential for biodiversity. This is why one of the actions in the plan is to 'Review grassland management across the city. Increase in the amount of grass managed to improve biodiversity.'

By leaving some grass areas to grow longer before cutting them, or by not cutting areas at all, we will allow our native wildflowers a chance to grow and flower. This should help turn these areas into low maintenance grassland which can have medium potential for biodiversity or semi-natural wildflower meadow, which has high biodiversity potential and is recognised nationwide as a habitat that needs to be protected.

In the U.K., over 97% of wildflower meadows have been lost since the 1930s (according to UK charity Plantlife). When native wildflowers disappear, many invertebrates are lost too, including insects which are vital to pollinate food crops and rely on these wildflower areas for food or a home. In the UK the value of insect pollination to agriculture is £691m a year (Buglife UK), pollinating crops such as oil seed rape, fruit and vegetables and producing Scottish honey.

According to UK Charity Buglife, six of our 25 species of bumblebee have declined by at least 80% in the last fifty years. These losses are mirrored for butterflies (71% of British butterfly species in decline) and hoverflies (38% of species in decline). This means that some unique and rare Scottish species are already irreparably lost and are on the brink of disappearance. Once such species are extinct, they will not return.

Losing vast numbers of insects and other invertebrates also has knock-on effects for other animals that feed on them including our native birds, amphibians, bats and other small mammals. One example are hedgehogs whose principal food source are insects and invertebrates.

As agricultural practices become more intensive, urban areas like Dundee, are becoming increasingly important for pollinators and provide many opportunities for habitat creation. Not only are flower rich grasslands good for biodiversity but they provide numerous other benefits such as capturing carbon, preventing flooding, reducing air pollution and providing aesthetically pleasing surroundings which contribute to the general wellbeing of people.

Areas in 24 parks have been identified to be managed as naturalised grasslands or biodiversity grasslands. Each will comprise up to approximately 15% of the respective park.
 
List of areas (download our maps of the meadows (10.MB DOC)):

1. Baxter Park naturalised area
2. Caird Park naturalised area
3. Camperdown Country Park naturalised area
4. Clatto Country Park naturalised area
5. Claverhouse Industrial Estate naturalised area
6. Claypotts Pond naturalised area
7. Dawson Park naturalised area
8. DISC naturalised area
9. Dudhope Park naturalised area
10. Elliot Road Sportfield naturalised area
11. Fairmuir Park naturalised area
12. Finlathen Park naturalised area
13. Fintry Park naturalised area
14. Gillies Park naturalised area
15. Lochee Park naturalised area
16. Magdalen Green naturalised area
17. Mill O' Mains naturalised area
18. Myrekirk Park naturalised area
19. Orchar Park naturalised area
20. Riverside Park naturalised area
21. Rugby Terrace & Tennis Court naturalised area
22. South Road Park naturalised area
23. Stobsmuir Park naturalised area
24. Victoria Road naturalised area

Additionally, we will be working in partnership with the Eden Project’s National Wildflower Centre to establish wildflower meadows for biodiversity at further sites across the city including Camperdown Country Park and Riverside Drive. The Eden Project’s National Wildflower Centre are also creating meadows at other sites, starting with Seabraes in central Dundee. Follow Eden Project’s progress.

All the sites have been evaluated for their existing biodiversity value. There are some which are already good, but there are others which could be improved particularly though appropriate mowing regimes and the introduction of native wildflower species. These additional biodiversity / naturalised grasslands will complement Dundee’s designated Locally Important Nature Conservation Sites (LINCs), some of which are meadows. Such examples can be seen at the Stannergate roundabout on Broughty Ferry Road and Riverside Nature Park which has Dundee's largest meadow created in 2010.

While naturalised and biodiversity areas are both managed for nature conservation, each supports its own range of species and habitat. As such the primary difference between each grassland type will be its respective management regime. These regimes will in turn promote slight variations in the types of plant species found in the two grassland types. 

Both areas will be dominated by grass species. Depending on the weather conditions the length of these grasses will vary. In dry seasons the grass will be relatively short, but in wetter conditions it will be longer. There will be wildflower species in both grasslands, but the variety of wildflowers and grasses will be greater in biodiversity areas. It is important to note that areas may look different from year to year depending on weather conditions and also due to competition between plants over time. It may take a few years for seeds that are present in the soil to be successful. With careful management these areas should improve over time.

All areas will have wildflower species such as buttercup, daisies, clover, self-heal, dandelions, and other typical lawn species. Biodiversity grassland will have additional species such as Ox-eye daisy, knapweed, vetch species, bird’s foot trefoil, stitchwort, eye-bright and possibly less-common species such as orchids and yellow rattle. Two sites, Myrekirk Park and Lochee Park, have been specifically selected for the establishment of yellow rattle meadows, while Dawson Park and Magdalen Green will host specific summer native wildflower meadows.

Yes, although naturalised grasslands and biodiversity grasslands will have different management. Both grass areas will have one or two cuts per year, but the grass clippings will be removed from the biodiversity grasslands. The cuts to the naturalised grasslands will be made in late April / May and then in September / October. However, depending on the weather conditions and other local factors the grass in both areas may only be cut in in September / October.

There may be other areas in parks where grass may not be cut at all. These areas are likely to be in shaded positions, for instance under mature trees or shrubby areas or against walls. As the areas are shaded, grass growth will be slow.

By taking the grass cuttings away from biodiversity grasslands, we will be mimicking traditional hay meadow management. Native wildflower species have evolved to benefit from this type of management and therefore we hope that more wildflower species will come into the area. We also may take the opportunity to invest in these biodiversity areas by introducing native wildflower species and encouraging the natural process of meadow creation.

Not all wildflower species are good for naturalised and biodiversity grasslands. Although they have benefit to some invertebrate and pollinator species, in time they will come to dominate and reduce the variety of species in the area. This will reduce the biodiversity value of the area too. Such species include nettles, creeping thistle, rosebay willowherb and docks.

Additional management to remove these species will be carried out to control the spread and presence of such perennial weed species.

If grassland is not managed at all, over time natural succession will occur and tree species such as sycamore establish, ultimately creating a woodland. The type of woodland will be determined by the soil, location and climatic conditions in the area.

There will be opportunities for local people and groups to become involved with ongoing monitoring of the grassland, including pollinator surveys and species identification. Any volunteering opportunities will be advertised on site, or for additional queries please contact environment@dundeecity.gov.uk. Links to further reading can be found further down this page. 

Tick species are part of a natural ecosystem and although they mostly found in areas where there are deer and sheep they are also found in woodland, heathland and areas of dense vegetation, as well as longer grass. Unfortunately, due to climate change the natural population of ticks has increased as we experience warmer winters. Cold weather in the winter usually limits the population, but recently this has not happened.

However, the population of ticks is not thought to be high in Dundee and is almost certainly higher in the countryside surrounding the city.

It is recommended that if you are concerned about ticks on yourself, your family or your dog that you check for their presence regularly or avoid walking through the longer grass. If you do find a tick on you or your family, it should be removed promptly. Instructions for safe removal of ticks and further information can be found on the NHS Inform webpage.

Further information is here: 

• Forestry and Land Scotland website

For pets: 

• RSPCA website

The decision to create these grassland sites has been taken after citywide consultation with residents and community groups. Results of the consultation concluded that 75% of residents are in favour of the creation of biodiversity grassland habitats. More information on the consultation can be found on our website.

The Wildlife Trusts

• Grow your own Wildlife Patch
• How to make a seed bomb
• The best plants for pollinators

Scottish Wildlife Trust

• How to help bees at home

Nature.Scot

• Get Busy, Get Involved
• Downloadable sign to show neighbours you’re managing for wildlife.

UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH)

• UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (PoMS)

Further Reading

Nature.Scot

• National Pollinator Strategy for Scotland 2017-2027 
• Helping Scotland’s Pollinators

Buglife

• B-Lines