What is the difference between a field and a meadow? A field is used more often to describe an area managed by people. The field before you was once an orchard and pasture belonging to a farmer. A meadow is used to describe a wild area.
Fields and meadows start when trees have been removed from an area. This can occur naturally with a forest fire or flood, or humans may cut down a forest. Seeds from grasses and weeds take root shortly after and a meadow is born.
Meadows can be large or small and can occur anywhere, including in the middle of a forest, alongside a pond or stream, or in the middle of a highway.
Both fields and meadows are open areas with few or no trees. Grasses, and wildflowers are usually the dominant species. Only a limited number of shrubs and trees are present. When allowed to grow larger shrubs will take over a meadow and after years become a thicket. Thickets become forests as tree species take root. This natural process is known as succession.
Fields and meadows start when trees have been removed from an area. This can occur naturally with a forest fire or flood, or humans may cut down a forest. Seeds from grasses and weeds take root shortly after and a meadow is born.
Meadows can be large or small and can occur anywhere, including in the middle of a forest, alongside a pond or stream, or in the middle of a highway.
Both fields and meadows are open areas with few or no trees. Grasses, and wildflowers are usually the dominant species. Only a limited number of shrubs and trees are present. When allowed to grow larger shrubs will take over a meadow and after years become a thicket. Thickets become forests as tree species take root. This natural process is known as succession.
Vegetation in fields and meadows:
Grasses
Most meadows have lots of grasses. Other plants grow there too, but grasses are the main plants. They don't look the same as grass in a lawn because they are allowed to grow wild without mowing. Grasses in a meadow grow tall and get small flowers and seeds. Grasses provide food and shelter for small animals, such as meadow voles.
Meadow Vole
Wildflowers
Other plants grow among the grasses. There isn't any real difference between a wildflower and a weed. Both have stems, leaves, and flowers. "Weed" is a term people use to call an unwanted plant that grows in a garden or lawn. Wildflowers and "weeds" attract many insects and other animals.
Other plants grow among the grasses. There isn't any real difference between a wildflower and a weed. Both have stems, leaves, and flowers. "Weed" is a term people use to call an unwanted plant that grows in a garden or lawn. Wildflowers and "weeds" attract many insects and other animals.
