European woodlands and forests are facing a rapid decline in light-demanding species that in turn has prompted interventions to maintain or re-establish open habitats in woodlands that have high biodiversity value (Kozel et al. 2021). Such open spaces in woodland may comprise a range of vegetation types, including grassland, heathland and mire.
The importance of grassland rides and glades in ancient woodland has been underappreciated, particularly by plant ecologists. Katey Stephen and Richard Jefferson work to assert the conservation value and raise the profile of grasslands in lowland woodland with a particular focus on grassland habitats found on rides and margins in lowland ancient woods.