Current status
Broad-leaved cudweed is a species associated with arable land and other sites with a long history of disturbance, mainly on chalky and calcareous sandy soils. It has been recorded mostly on marginal farmland which supports only poor, non-competitive, open crops. Flowers are borne mainly between July and September and most seed germination takes place October to December, with a smaller second flush in the spring. Little is known about its seed-bank longevity.
Most of the sites for this species have been recorded in the south and east of England. It was formerly common on farmland, but has suffered a severe decline over the last 50 years, and now occurs on just three arable sites, with five others on non-arable land. Elsewhere, this species can be found across much of continental Europe, from southern Spain and the Mediterranean, northwards as far as Britain and eastwards to Germany. It also occurs in north Africa and central Asia. In Europe as a whole, this species is not threatened, but it has declined throughout the northern part of its range.
In GB the species is classified as Endangered. It is specially protected under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Current factors causing loss or decline
Many of the agricultural changes which were responsible for the decline of broad-leaved cudweed are now proving to be constraints on its recovery. These include:
Widespread use of fertilisers and herbicides.
The development of highly productive crop varieties.
The destruction of hedge-banks and other field-edge habitats.
Successional development on sites which are no longer subject to disturbance processes (eg abandoned arable land and sand pits).
The demise of traditional crop rotations.
Current action
Conservation work for this species is ongoing under Plantlife`s `Back from the Brink` project which is supported by English Nature`s Species Recovery Programme. The following action has already been taken:
Surveys carried out by Plantlife, establishing the current UK status and distribution of this species.
Assessments of each extant site, followed by management where perceived to be necessary.
Collection of seed from a number of sites and its deposition at Wakehurst Place (Kew).
Five sites for this species are protected as SSSIs.
Monitoring of at least one site is being undertaken by the Wildlife Trusts.
Action plan objectives and targets
Achieve viable populations at all extant sites
Achieve the natural colonisation of new sites.
Restore or establish populations of broad-leaved cudweed to three suitable sites by 2003
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
Encourage the development of relevant agri-environment schemes, such as the pilot Arable Stewardship Scheme, as a potential means of re-establishing broad-leaved cudweed in the countryside. When reviewing such schemes, consider whether changes are needed to increase their potential benefits for this and other threatened arable species. (ACTION: NE, MAFF)
Site safeguard and management
Take steps to ensure that the three sites which currently lie outside SSSIs are protected from damaging activities. If necessary, this may include SSSI notification. (ACTION: NE)
Ensure that all extant sites for broad leaved cudweed (including railway and quarry sites) receive protection and management which is beneficial to its conservation. (ACTION: NE, LAs)
Seek to develop a network of suitable habitats within the vicinity of broad leaved cudweed sites, thereby providing opportunities for its spread. Favourable management will include the relevant options outlined under the pilot Arable Stewardship Scheme, eg uncropped headlands (cultivated in early autumn). (ACTION: NE, MAFF)
Species management and protection
Undertake trial management at three carefully selected historic sites with the aim of regenerating broad leaved cudweed from the seed bank. (ACTION: NE)
Assess the feasibility and desirability of undertaking reintroductions at selected sites, should attempts to regenerate broad leaved cudweed from the seed bank prove unsuccessful. (ACTION: NE, JNCC)
Continue with ex situ conservation work as proposed under English Nature's Species Recovery Programme. (ACTION: NE, RBG Kew)
Advisory
Advise landowners and managers of the presence and importance of broad leaved cudweed, specific management for its conservation, and any potentially damaging actions. Particular attention should be given to optimal cultivation and harvest times. (ACTION: NE)
As far as possible, ensure that all relevant agri environment project officers are advised of locations of this species, its importance, management requirements and potential threats. (ACTION: NE, MAFF)
Future Research and Monitoring
Ensure continued monitoring on all sites with extant or restored populations for at least a further five years. Where possible, monitoring visits should be combined with meeting landowners to discuss conservation management for the species. (ACTION: NE, JNCC)
Undertake research to determine the selectivity of all graminicides currently in use so as to identify which, if any, are suitable for use in field margins that support this and other threatened arable species. (ACTION: JNCC)
Communications and Publicity
Publicise the plight of this and other threatened arable species. Articles should be written for relevant conservation and farming magazines and newsletters. Botanists should be encouraged to report any new records, eg through Atlas 2000 recording. (ACTION: NE)
Develop links with European ecologists working to conserve threatened plants of arable habitats. (ACTION: JNCC)
Establish arable conservation display and education centres with the aim of raising public awareness of this threatened group of the UK flora. (ACTION: NE)
Links with other action plans
None given.
Publication details
Originally published in: UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume I: Vertebrates and vascular plants (June 1998, Tranche 2, Vol I, p169)
Related links
ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to this species