Species-rich chalk grassland of the South Downs National Park

These grassy downlands hold some of the rarest habitats in the UK, the result of forest clearing as far back as Neolithic and Bronze Age times.
Grazed by sheep for centuries, they are home to a remarkable array of plants and creatures.
Look close enough and you may find 30-40 different species in just one square metre.
If you are lucky you might see one of the most beloved inhabitants of this park, the brilliantly-coloured Adonis blue butterfly.
They feed on nectar from the horseshoe vetch, and lays its eggs under the plant’s leaves.
Horseshoe vetch - like most of the other small wildflowers that brighten the grasslands - only grows here because sheep graze the longer grasses that would otherwise eclipse its struggle for nutrients and sun.
Learn about this special habitat and the wildlife that calls it home in our next mini-documentary.
#SouthDowns #Nature #Wildlife #Documentary #BritishWildlife #NatureLovers #WildIsles

[@TheLivingCoastUNESCObiosphere]

Beautiful landscape and close-up images illustrating the downland landscape and wildlife, and the challenges that we face here

[@jayamin1004]

Amazing video. Beautifully shot. Deserves more views.

[@jaywolf7917]

Beautiful informative clip. My home. 🌿🌍💚

[@neiltam9004]

Nice