Smooth Grassland

Smooth grassland is characterised by unimproved natural grassland, most frequently in a hill or upland situation, with a high proportion of palatable grasses such as fescues (Festuca spp), bents (Agrostis spp), sweet vernal (Anthoxanthum odoratum) and meadow grasses (Poa spp). Found on a mineral soil, those grasslands have not undergone agricultural improvement by way of the application of fertilizers, pesticides, drainage or reseeding so as to alter significantly the sward composition. Vegetation of this type is the best pasture of many of the hill areas and is often heavily grazed.

Smooth grassland has been mapped as a separate entity and in association with rushes (Juncus spp) resulting from deterioration of grassland in lowland sites or in hill areas within wet sites, which are often concave and heavily flushed from spring lines emitting water at distinct breaks in slope.

It is also mapped in association with low scrub such as gorse or broom.

Herb-rich grassland within site, Central Perthshire	Rush infested pasture