Crossword Genius

Shepherd in Alps plots to cover current grasslands (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

plains

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'grasslands' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'shepherd in alps' is the wordplay.
'shepherd' indicates anagramming the letters (shepherd the letters into the right order).
'in'+'alps'='inalps'
'inalps' anagrammed gives 'PLAINS'.

'plots to cover current' is the link.
This may not be right. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for plains that I've seen before include "Extensive tracts of level open land" , "Large tracts of level open land" , "Large areas of flat lands" , "Large tracks of level land" , "Grasslands" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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