Introduction
Notice how the maintenance mowing of the power line corridor, which is in itself a disturbance to the environment, encourages the appearance of grassland. Selective clearing leaves isolated shrubs (lentisks) and holm oaks.
A new habitat favourable to butterflies, other insects, birds of open spaces and small mammals such as rabbits and hedgehogs is being created, increasing overall biodiversity.
Hyparhenia grasland (photo) is a very tall grass that extends from the African savannas to Catalonia, where it reaches its northern limit. It is abundant along paths and on sunny slopes facing the sea, as in this case.
These savanna-like grasslands are good for grazing. Without grazing, mowing or fire, however, they evolve into scrub or heathland.
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