Experimental aftermath grazing of urban neutral grassland

An 83-ha local nature reserve near Burgess Hill, Sussex, UK with a series of wild flower meadows on clay soil was subjected to cutting in early, mid- or late summer, with or without aftermath grazing by sheep. Each of the plots was given an explanatory board so that members of the public could assess the effects of the experiment. Attitudes to grazing became more favourable over the 2-year experiment, but electric fencing was vandalized and post and stock proof wire fencing had to be erected. After 2 years, the grazed area already had less thatch and a more visually appealing display of wild flowers than the ungrazed area. Rhinanthus minor was spreading and Leucanthemum vulgare and Ophioglossum vulgatum had colonized the sward.