The Survey of Rare and Protected Vascular Plant Species in the Republic of Ireland. John Conaghan

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1 The Survey of Rare and Protected Vascular Plant Species in the Republic of Ireland John Conaghan

2 Presentation Structure Background to protected species lists Record Sources and Survey techniques Case histories

3 Background Wildlife Act Flora Protection Order 52 vascular species listed 1987 Flora Protection Order 68 species listed 1999 Flora Protection Order 69 species listed Reflects the ongoing change in available information regarding rare plant distribution.

4 The Irish Red Data Book. 1 Vascular Plants (1988) Includes species protected in the North of Ireland and many species now known to be more widespread in the south, e.g. Prunus padus.

5 Red Data List (Botanic Gardens website) Ranks species in accordance with International threat categories. Extinct (9 species) Extinct in the wild (2) Critically endangered (7) Endangered (52) Vulnerable (69) Data deficient species (16) Species not considered threatened in the Republic, but protected in NI (14)

6 Record Sources Main rare plant record sources NPWS surveys Conducted since the mid-1980s. All counties covered. BSBI vice-county recording mid-1950 s? onwards. Online maps give a good initial idea of species distribution. County Floras Coverage patchy and some older publications in need of update.

7 Historical records for Poa alpina on Mt. Brandon. Colgan Recorded from rocky tors close to the summit Recorded from low rock outcrops near summit but apparently absent from surrounding acid grassland on deeper soil.

8 Survey techniques Survey equipment 1980 s Notebook, compass, OS 6-inch maps and half inch to 1 mile maps

9 Mid to late 1990 s Notebook, GPS, aerial photographs and 1:50,000 Discovery Series maps

10 2010 onwards - Ipads, Trimbles, Bing and Google maps etc. etc.

11 Aerial photographs and rare plant recording Essential for the accurate recording of population distribution. Available from a number of sources. Ordnance Survey of Ireland, Bing Maps, Google maps. GPS points can be overlaid on aerial photos.

12 Rare plant populations what information do I collect? Species County 6" Map Discovery Map Locality/Site name Vice-county (No.) SAC/NHA Vegetation description, i.e. Releve GPS readings for the species Grid refs (GPS, National Grid) 2005 Aerial Photo Recorder(s) Synonymous habitat/vegetation types Elevation (m) Solid geology Record date Site description Population description Associated species/ vegetation Current management Threats First record and other comments References: Sketch map of population. Maps, aerial photographs and habitat photographs Conservation measures Ownership Access Other remarks

13 Estimating population size What constitutes and individual plant? Easy for annual species but difficult for spreading perennial species. Most workable approach to count the number of flowering heads and estimate the area of distribution, e.g. 30 to 35 flowering heads in an area of 3 x 6 metres. Important to note presence absence of grazing, drainage, agricultural reclamation, forestry etc. Is there previous information on the population.

14 Case histories Why are rare plants rare? Generally only grow in narrow range of habitat conditions and that habitat is generally rare. Many rare plant species are poor competitors and get outcompeted in dense vegetation. Thus drainage and lack of grazing is a problem for many.

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16 Crambe maritima Gorumna, Co. Galway

17 Crambe maritima Sea Kale Not on FPO. Recorded from 19 10k squares in Republic of Ireland since Majority of recent records from the Cork and West Galway coastline. Declined since late 1800s but appears to have increased since the 1970 s? Main threats shingle extraction, grazing and storm damage/rise in sea-levels.

18 Crambe maritima Distribution

19 Gnaphalium sylvaticum Heath cudweed

20 Gnaphalium sylvaticum Heath cudweed On 1999 Flora Protection Order Recorded from 28? 10k squares in Republic of Ireland since <10 good records in past 10 years. Much more frequent in the early 1900 s. Drastic decline in recent decades. Main reasons decline in tillage and reclamation of waste areas.

21 Gnaphalium sylvaticum distribution

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