Tag: 2008

North Merseyside Biodiversity Action Plan: Petalwort

1. CURRENT STATUS
1.1 National
1.1.1 Petalwort is a nationally scarce liverwort found mainly in damp, lime-rich sand-dune slacks. It occurs in 16 Vice Counties in Britain and two in
Northern Ireland. The largest known populations are in Cornwall, Devon, Cardigan, Anglesey, South Lancashire, Northumberland and West Ross. It is thought that 25 – 49% of its global population occurs in Britain.

1.1.2 Petalwort is a Priority Species within the UK Biodiversity Action Plan on account of the threat to its populations.

1.2 Local
1.2.1 Petalwort is confined to the Sefton Coast in north Merseyside and Northwest England. It has been known from dune slacks in the Ainsdale and
Southport area since 1861.

1.2.2 Recent surveys by M. Newton and D. Wrench have located and mapped the plant in several slacks within the Ainsdale and Birkdale Sandhills LNR. Wrench records 47 different ‘populations’, though many are situated in the same slack. It seems to prefer damp ground around the edges of fairly recently formed slacks where competing plant life is low. Light trampling, which keeps ground vegetation sparse, may be beneficial.

North Merseyside Biodiversity Action Plan: Purple Ramping-fumitory

1 Current status
1.1 National
Purple Ramping-fumitory is a nationally scarce, endemic annual plant which used to
be widespread in the mixed farming and arable areas of Britain. However, during the
last 50 years it has undergone a drastic decline throughout its former range due to
agricultural intensification. Recent records of the plant are mainly concentrated in
the west of the country, near the coasts of Cornwall and Lancashire, notably north
Lancashire, the Fylde, West Lancashire and north Merseyside. However, it rarely
seems to persist at any given locality.

Purple Ramping-fumitory is a Priority Species within the UK Biodiversity Action
Plan on account of its endemic status and the threat to its populations.

1.2 Local
Since 1995, small, transient populations of Purple Ramping-fumitory have been
located in north Merseyside at Southport, Churchtown, Crossens, Ainsdale, Formby,
Little Crosby, Rainford Junction, Garston Gasworks, Lydiate, Maghull and Anfield
Cemetery. The records were from disturbed ground or the edges of arable fields. In
many cases, return visits to the sites did not rediscover plants. It is often the case that
Purple Ramping-fumitory often does not persist at any given location although it will
often re-occur in the general area provided suitable habitats exist.

North Merseyside Biodiversity Action Plan: Isle of Man Cabbage

1 Current status
1.1 National
Occurring in at least 22 coastal localities in the Isle of Man and western Britain from
central Scotland to south-west England, the Isle of Man Cabbage is a nationally scarce
British endemic. The New Atlas of the British Flora (2002) maps it as native in 34
post-1086 hectads, extending from Arran to Gower, most being from N. Cumbria to
Wirral (including the Isle of Man). The atlas states that Isle of Man Cabbage is stable
or even increasing in the centre of its range in N.W. England, but is slowly declining elsewhere.

1.2 Local
In north Merseyside, Isle of Man Cabbage is confined to the Sefton Coast sand-dunes
where it has always been extremely localised. For many years it was only known
from the Crosby – Blundellsands area but development progressively destroyed this
population and it became extinct in 1992. A second colony was found in 1983 in the
Birkdale Sandhills Local Nature Reserve but this disappeared in about 1993 due to
maturation of its habitat. A third population, discovered in 1989 at Southport Marine
Lake, initially prospered, reaching a total of at least 874 plants in 1997 but declined to
281 plants by 2004.

Plants from the relict Blundellsands colony were translocated in 1992 to six sand-dune
sites nearby at Hall Road and Crosby Marine Park. From a total of only 29
plants surviving in 1994, there has been a steady increase to 1323 plants in 2007,
while the area colonised by the Isle of Man Cabbage at these sites increased fourteenfold
between 1998 and 2007, reaching over 13,600 m2 in the latter year.

North Merseyside Biodiversity Action Plan: Sefton Coast Plants

1 Introduction
The Biodiversity Audit of North West England (1999) lists 474 taxa of vascular plants
of “conservation importance”, 145 of which occur on the Sefton Coast. Whittling
these down to a manageable number for Species Action Plans has been a daunting
task. Two, Dune Helleborine and Isle of Man Cabbage, are listed as UK Priority or
endemic species, so these were obvious choices. Another, Early Sand-grass, occurs
here on its only English site and it too was felt to deserve inclusion in the main body
of the BAP.

A short-list of another 18 plants that seemed to merit special conservation measures
was drawn up and 7 chosen for Species Action Plans. These are all nationally rare or
nationally scarce plants for which the Sefton Coast is especially important. In
addition, their status is fairly well known and, in most cases, their habitat
requirements well understood. They are dealt with together in this group SAP rather
than in individual SAPs – not because they are regarded as being of lesser importance
but partly because their conservation demands are often very similar and partly in
order to avoid appearing to give undue weight to the Sefton Coast within the BAP as a
whole. The 2008 review of the North Merseyside BAP led to three more species, for
which there is recent detailed survey data, being added.

It is hoped that the species selected give a representative overview of the conservation
issues facing plants on the Sefton Coast.

A brief summary of their status and requirements for all of the taxa included is given
in section two. Section three details the SMART targets for all taxa. Each taxon
included in the plan is then given more detailed treatment in subsequent sections.

North Merseyside Biodiversity Action Plan: Stonewort

1 Current status
1.1 National
Stoneworts are large algae mostly associated with freshwater bodies ranging in size
from deep lakes and canals to small ephemeral ponds. Most species require
calcareous, low-nutrient conditions. They are, therefore, fairly restricted in
distribution, being largely confined to high water quality habitats on sand, peat or clay
substrates.
Lesser Bearded Stonewort was until recently classified as Near Threatened, occurring
at only 30-35 British sites. However, information gathered as a result of the national
action plan indicates that it is more widespread than previously thought and it is no
longer classified as a Priority Species. Opposite and Clustered Stoneworts are also
Nationally Scarce, occurring in fewer than 100 10km squares in Britain.

1.2 Local
In North Merseyside stoneworts are only known to occur on the Sefton Coast. Five
species have been recorded in recent years: Lesser Bearded Stonewort Chara curta,
Opposite Stonewort Chara contraria, Bristly Stonewort Chara hispida, Common
Stonewort Chara vulgaris and Clustered Stonewort Tolypella glomerata.
Translucent Stonewort Nitella translucens was recorded in the Leeds-Liverpool Canal
in Litherland in 1977. There are local historic records of Smooth Stonewort Nitella
flexilis and Delicate Stonewort Chara virgata, the latter at Otterspool Park, Liverpool,
but it is not known if any of these still occur.
Recent surveys have only been carried out on three to four sites: Ainsdale Sand Dunes
NNR, parts of the Ainsdale & Birkdale Hills LNR, Altcar Rifle Ranges and Seaforth
NR. It is therefore impossible to be precise about the distribution of these species.
Unidentified stoneworts have been recently found in two ponds on Formby Hall Golf
Course.
Most known sites are in dune pools and slacks, where several species often occur
together. These species can exist both as perennials and short-lived annuals and can
therefore survive in water bodies that dry out in summer. Clustered Stonewort thrives
only in such ephemeral pools.
Lesser Bearded Stonewort was first discovered on the Ainsdale NNR in 1978 in a
slack which had been created two years earlier. It is now known to occur in four
slacks, all of which are close to the original site.
Opposite, Common, Bristly and Clustered Stoneworts almost certainly have a more
widespread distribution.

Habitat Action Plan: Urban Grassland

1. Current Status
1.1 National

1.1.1 This habitat covers unimproved, semi-improved and improved grasslands occurring in urban and urban fringe areas. Soil types typically vary between a moist substrate with a pH between 5.0 and 6.5, a sandy, base-poor substrate or one which is less distinctive, due to former industrial
processes or on-going urban greenspace management.

1.1.2 Relevant habitats include unimproved permanent neutral or acidic urban common, roadside verges, which are either unimproved, or  semi-improved (towards the urban fringe where there is more likelihood of the land being previously in agricultural use) or semi-permanent former-industrial sites currently free from management.

1.1.3 The vast majority of such sites are, to varying extents, naturally seeded and in the early stages of colonisation. Species composition varies greatly with soil-type, pH, former land-use, disturbance, location and the presence, level and type of management all influencing community structure and diversity. Variants on this habitat occur within all lowland urban conurbations on former industrial sites, unmanaged greenspace and post-agricultural sites on the urban fringe.

1.1.4 It is impossible to assess the extent of these habitats, mainly due to the lack of a clear definition but also because of their fragmentation. However, they are known to be widespread in urban areas and to provide important wildlife habitats in the urban context.

1.2 Local
1.2.1 The extent of these habitats is not known but information is being collated.

1.2.2 The wildlife value of these sites depends to a large extent upon their management regime. At one end of the scale are the closely mown amenity
grasslands of formal urban parks, which often provide little more than a feeding site for some bird species but where relaxation of management
allows the development of areas of more natural plant communities. At the other end are ex-industrial or other sites that have escaped built
development, where colonisation by vegetation has been essentially natural and management is usually absent. In between are less formal urban
green spaces where mowing is less intensive, allowing greater sward height to develop and natural processes of colonisation to take place.

1.2.3 Larger examples of these approximate categories include Court Hey and Mill Brook Parks in Knowsley; Kraft Meadows in Kirkby, the Burgy Banks in St Helens and Cressington Heath in Liverpool; the Rimrose Valley in Sefton, Childwall Fields and parts of Ottterspool in Liverpool, Thatto Heath Meadow in St Helens and Stadt Moers Country Park in Knowsley.

Habitat Action Plan: Coastal Dunes

1. Current Status
1.1 European and National

1.1.1 Coastal sand dunes are a declining and threatened habitat throughout Europe and the UK, particularly fixed dune and dune heath types. Their
current status across Europe is “unfavourable declining”.

1.1.2 The total area of coastal sand dune in the UK is 54,500 ha: 11,897 ha in England; 8,101 ha Wales; approximately 33,000 ha in Scotland; 3000
ha in Northern Ireland. The current status in the UK is “unfavourable” with some improvements.

1.2 Local
1.2.1 The Sefton Coast dunes cover 2,074 ha, approximately 15% of the total for England. A range of habitats, identified under Corine codes, includes embryo dunes, shifting dunes, fixed dunes, dunes with creeping willow, humid dune slacks, dune heath, and dunes with sea buckthorn, are present on the Sefton Coast.

Habitat Action Plan: Urban Trees

1 Current status
1.1 National

1.1.1 Urban trees can be defined as those that occur as individuals or small groups rather than in woodlands. Sites include roadsides and verges, parks, cemeteries and private gardens.

1.1.2 No national information is available on numbers, species or distribution. Trees in Towns” 1994 gives representation data status, species and quality.

1.1.3 Trees have important non-wildlife functions in the urban context, principally in softening and ‘greening’ landscapes, screening undesirable views, reducing noise pollution and mitigating the effects of aerial pollution, especially from vehicle emissions. They contribute hugely to people’s perceptions about their quality of life.

1.1.4 Their contribution to biodiversity is to a large extent dependent upon their context. Suburban areas with large numbers of scattered trees in proximity to shrubs and bushes, large gardens or parkland are especially valuable, particularly to mobile animals. Such areas provide important nest
and feeding sites for birds and feeding and roost sites for bats. Native species are of greatest importance since they usually support a larger diversity of invertebrates.

1.1.5 Ancient trees are often of great cultural and historical significance and can not be replaced.

1.2 Local

1.2.1 None of the local authorities has a complete database of its urban tree stock. However, Liverpool has an estimated 12,300 park and street trees and 2550 privately-owned trees are covered by Tree Preservation Orders.

1.2.2 The variety of species is very large and includes a number of unusual exotics. Most urban trees are probably not locally native species.

1.2.3 Most major planting schemes were carried out in the latter part of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th. In many areas the stock is therefore evenly aged and declining in condition.

1.2.4 In areas of Southport, Formby and Blundellsands urban trees, particularly in gardens, provide important habitat for Red Squirrels.

Habitat Action Plan: Urban Green Infrastructure

Green infrastructure (GI) is defined in the North West Green Infrastructure Guide (GRITT 2007) thus:

“Green infrastructure is the region’s life support system – the network of natural environmental components and green and blue spaces that lies within and between the north west’s cities, towns and villages and provides multiple social, economic and environmental benefits.”

Urban green infrastructure is a holistic way of thinking about the natural resources and ecosystem services that support our way of life in Merseyside. Biodiversity is an integral part of our urban green infrastructure, fulfilling vital roles in ecosystem services and contributing, in myriad ways, to the well-being of the people who live and work here.

Despite the importance of our urban biodiversity, the existing BAP framework is not the ideal mechanism to look after it. The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution noted this failing at both national and local levels stating: “national conservation policies fail fully to recognise the special nature of urban habitats. Implementation of the UK’s Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) (1994), national BAPs and the designation of SSSIs currently provide less protection to urban sites than rural ones” and “many urban BAPs fail to identify the potential for maximising biodiversity through advocating green infrastructure, ecosystem function, and integrating features onto existing buildings and new development” (RCEP 2007).

Habitat Action Plan: Canals

1 Current status
1.1 National
There are over 2,000 miles of canals and inland waterways in Britain. In their heyday
there were more than 5,000 miles of canal. The canals and inland waterways are in
various states of repair with approximately 60% still operational, i.e. in use by boats.
British Waterways among others is an agency charged with maintaining and
extending the canal system.
Canal habitats include open water, swamp and reedbed, grassland, hedgerows,
woodlands and built structures such as bridges, aqueducts and tunnels.
Canals were constructed mostly during the late 18th century and 19th century and
began to fall into disrepair in the early 20th century. In urban areas, disused canals
have been in-filled and have often been built over. However, many canals have been
actively used for recreation including, boats, angling, walking, and cycling.

1.2 Local
There are two canals in North Merseyside, the Leeds-Liverpool Canal and the St
Helens Canal (also known as the Sankey Navigation). These two canals are very
different in terms of their construction, current uses and habitats and species.
Although man-made these two water features are highly significant in North
Merseyside.
The St Helens Canal was the first true canal in England; it was the first designed to
carry industrial cargoes. It opened in stages, the first stage opened in 1757, and it
eventually linked the Mersey Estuary with Blackbrook, Sutton, St Helens and
Ravenhead. By the mid-1800s, sections of the canal in St Helens began to fall into
disuse. The last commercial traffic was in 1959, when a cargo of sugar was carried to
the Sankey Sugar Works at Earlestown. The canal was officially abandoned by Act of
Parliament in 1963.
The canal was neglected and several sections in filled with waste materials and
domestic refuse between 1963 and the mid-1970s. Halton, Warrington and St Helens
undertook various improvements on those sections of canal still in water between the
late 1970s and 1980s, which greatly improved the appearance and amenity value of
the canal. However, a large proportion of the canal had been in filled and several large
obstacles had been constructed across the line of the canal preventing navigation from
being re-established.
The Leeds-Liverpool Canal was constructed later than the St Helens Canal. It passes
through the districts of Liverpool, Knowsley and Sefton. The canal is in-water along
its entire length from Stanley Dock, Liverpool, where access to the river Mersey can
be gained, to Leeds. The length from Stanley Dock, Liverpool to Maghull has nonoperational
status although still under British Waterways’ management.
Both canals are significant recreational and nature conservation resource and are
valuable wildlife corridor for species such as Water Vole, bats particularly
Daubenton’s Bats, Kingfisher and dragonflies.