The most common and widespread kind of traditionally managed meadow in deeper, well-drained mesic soils throughout the lowlands and foothills of temperate Europe, with many local types differing according to regional climate, terrain and mowing traditions. Typically dominated by mixtures of productive grasses and herbs, it can be very species-rich with distinctive scarce and rare plants where traditional regimes of mowing, grazing and manuring are maintained. Often once part of wider agricultural landscapes with associated pastures, it is now widely transformed by shifts to silage production and transitions to intensive silage grasslands are commonplace.