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From our work deep in the forests of the Caledonian Pine woods to the wild north coast – species recovery is at the very heart of what we do.
Here you will find all of the information on the incredible wild plants we are working with in Scotland, the reasons we need to protect them and the projects that are leading the way.
The plants and fungi we are working with in Scotland are all at risk of extinction without intervention. From the rare Tufted Saxifrage to the tiny Aspen Bristle-moss which was believed to be extinct, until a lucky find in 2003.
Protecting our amazing wild plants from extinction and helping rare species to recover, is a crucial part of tackling the biodiversity crisis we are facing.
Not only are these species a vital and often unseen part of the ecosystem, they also add to the richness of the natural world around us. They’re part of the heritage and the habitats of Scotland.
We have pioneered the preservation of Tufted Saxifrage Saxifraga cespitosa in Wales through the Natur am Byth! partnership project – and now we are beginning the work in Scotland too.
In Scotland, we are at the start of our journey to protect this delicate arctic alpine plant. Even though species like the Tufted Saxifrage are seriously at risk because of the climate crisis, we must still consider their preservation. These plants might not need cold temperatures or high altitudes, but rather a specific habitat. Since only tiny fragments of their populations are left, they can’t move to new areas. That’s where work including research and translocations come in.
We are working on the species through our Resilience and Recovery, Helping Rare Species Adapt to a Changing World Project. Working with our project partners, Nature Scot and the Cairngorms National Park, we’ll explore the state of Scotland’s remaining populations of Tufted Saxifrage. We’ll also look for ways to protect it and help it to recover.
The Aspen Bristle-moss Nyholmiella gymnostoma, as the name suggests, is a small moss which is only known to grow on Aspen Populus tremula bark. It was believed to be extinct in the UK in 2000, but thankfully in 2003, 3 new sites were found.
The greatest densities of Aspen woodlands are now found in and around the Cairngorms, and this is where the last few patches of Aspen Bristle-moss reside.
Photo taken by Gus Routledge
Similar to Tufted Saxifrage, we are in the early phases of learning to protect Aspen Bristle-moss and other species of rare aspen mosses. Through our Resilience and Recovery, Helping Rare Species Adapt to a Changing World project, we’re currently surveying sites and assessing how under-recorded it may be. In time, we may look into assisted colonisation of other healthy Aspen stands missing these mosses.
One-flowered Wintergreen Moneses uniflora is an unusual and complex pine woodland specialist which appears to have heavily declined in Scotland in recent years. We’re still learning what is causing this decline, but we know that changes in how pine woodlands are managed have played a role. It’s also likely a decline in the health of the fungal community in the soil could be part of the cause.
Since the Cairngorms Project we have been studying One-flowered Wintergreen. Part of the project saw us carry out a trial translocation with the RSPB and Forestry Land Scotland. We worked in partnership with Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh to investigate fungal host partnerships. We also surveyed all remaining Scottish populations.
We’ll be continuing our work on this plant through our new Resilience and Recovery, Helping Rare Species Adapt to a Changing World Project. We are working with our project partners Nature Scot and the Cairngorms National Park, on a full genetic assessment of the state of Scottish One-flowered Wintergreen populations.
This will tell us how at-risk different populations are and help us plan if and how we should consider moving plants around.
Using this assessment, along with fungi research and innovative land management advice, we’ll create a plan of action. The goal is to restore both the One-flowered Wintergreen and the wider pinewood soil fungus community.
Despite its charismatic nature, and widespread interest, Twinflower Linnaea borealis has seriously declined in Scotland over the last few centuries. The main threat is habitat fragmentation, which leaves remaining patches of Twinflower isolated and unable to cross-pollinate.
Thankfully, many different conservation organisations, professionals, and landowners have a keen interest in protecting Twinflower. There’s a hope to see it return to recovering native Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris woodlands across Scotland.
Building on our work as part of the Cairngorms Rare Plants and Wild Connections Project, we are now looking to strategise and lead on a Twinflower conservation programme. This will guide practitioners towards long term and sustainable Twinflower recovery.
We are continuing our work with this amazing species, as part of our Resilience and Recovery, Helping Rare Species Adapt to a Changing World Project. Along with our partners Nature Scot and the Cairngorms National Park we are working to collect cuttings from Twinflower patches and move them between sites across Scotland, as well as restoring pine woodland for Twinflower.
Without intervention, the delicate pink blooms of the rare Twinflower could disappear from Scotland.
Through our Cairngorms…. we will be investigating the state of remaining Scottish populations and assessing what may be done to preserve them and aid their recovery.
The effort Greena Moor Nature Reserve management team put in place to save the Three-lobed Water Crowfoot.
Discover 4 new walk ideas and Scottish spring adventure inspiration from Plantlife Scotland’s Communications and Policy Officer, Erin Shott.
Air pollution often poses the biggest danger to internationally rare habitats and nitrogen gases have the potential to destroy our temperate rainforests.
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