Current status
The starry breck-lichen grows in turf which is calcareous, sandy, lichen- dominated and grazed by rabbits. It is found in the UK, Germany, France, Norway, and Switzerland. In the UK, it is restricted to one site in the Brecklands of Suffolk, where only a few individuals remain.
The species is listed as critically endangered on the GB Red List, and is protected under Schedule 8 of the WCA.
Current factors causing loss or decline
Threats to this species are not fully understood, but are thought to include lack of rabbit grazing, encroachment of scrub and soil acidification from conifer seedlings on nearby plantations. Spray drift and nitrogen deposition may also pose a threat.
Current action
This species is the subject of an NE Pre-recovery Programme project investigating the success of transplanting the lichen between Breckland sites.
Action plan objectives and targets
Maintain the population at its current site.
If biologically feasible, re-introduce to four formerly occupied sites by 2005.
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
Continue to encourage the uptake of ESA agreements in the Brecklands which promote the use of grazing and trampling, and seek to prevent the establishment of seedlings, and seek to enhance these further through more closely tailoring these to individual cases. (ACTION: MAFF, NE)
Site safeguard and management
Encourage habitat management techniques to control coarse vegetation, encroachment by scrub and conifer seedlings and the maintenance of lichen-dominated communities. (ACTION: NE)
Consider notifying the site as an SSSI. (ACTION: NE)
Species management and protection
Following feasibility assessment and identification of suitable sites, seek to re-introduce populations to five sites within the former range of this species. (ACTION: NE)
Advisory
Ensure relevant local landowners, naturalists, Wildlife Trusts and LAs are aware of the presence, legal status and importance of conserving of this species. (ACTION: NE)
Provide advice to land managers on appropriate methods of management for this species. (ACTION: NE)
Future Research and Monitoring
Survey potential present and former sites to ascertain their suitability for re-introduction. (ACTION: NE)
If suitable habitat remains, undertake research to identify the most appropriate methods and carry out re-introductions of the species to five suitable, unoccupied sites. (ACTION: NE, JNCC)
Continue to monitor all extant sites on a regular basis. (ACTION: NE)
Encourage research into the ecological requirements of this species at other European sites and use the information gained to enhance the opportunities for the survival of the species in the UK. (ACTION: NE, JNCC)
Pass information gathered during survey and monitoring of this species to JNCC or BRC so that it can be incorporated in national databases. (ACTION: NE)
Provide information annually to the World Conservation Monitoring Centre on the UK status of the species to contribute to maintenance of an up-to-date global Red Data List. (ACTION: JNCC)
Communications and Publicity
None proposed.
Links with other action plans
None given.
Publication details
Originally published in: Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report - Volume II: Action Plans (December 1995, Tranche 1, Vol 2, p206)
Related links
ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to this species