Current status
Marsh clubmoss is a perennial species of wet heaths, often on bare peaty soil, and occasionally on the margins of lakes and in sand and clay pits, favouring areas which are under water in winter and spring. It often grows in places where human activities provide disturbance and maintain areas of bare, seasonally flooded peat. These include unmade tracks, old peat cuttings and wet areas subjected to poaching by cattle. This species grows at 305 m at Loch Ba in Argyll and up to 190 m in Pembrokeshire, but it is otherwise restricted to lowland sites.
Marsh clubmoss has undergone a marked decline in the UK although it still holds a high proportion of the European population. Much of the decline was pre-1930, although significant losses have also been recorded in the remaining core areas in the last 20 years. The UK sites remain scattered, from the New Forest to the north coast of Scotland and from west Wales to east Norfolk. There is also one extant site in Northern Ireland. Because marsh clubmoss populations tend to be small and widely scattered, the true extent of its decline may have been masked by the method of recording and mapping plants on a ten km square basis. There have been significant declines within these squares.
In Britain marsh clubmoss is classified as Nationally Scarce. It receives general protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and special protection under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife (NI) Order 1985.
Current factors causing loss or decline
Habitat loss through, for example, building development or improvement of unmade trackways.
Drainage of habitats.
Cessation of traditional management practices such as peat cutting and grazing, and the associated successional changes.
Nitrate and phosphate pollution, and the associated increase in growth of competitive vegetation.
Atmospheric pollution, including heavy metals, nitrogen and sulphur dioxide may be important factors, although further research is required.
Afforestation has resulted in the loss of sites in north Wales.
Current action
A recent survey of loch margins in Scotland identified several new sites for this species.
The North Wales Wildlife Trust made an attempt at relocating plants from one site which was threatened with water level rise, but this was unsuccessful.
The single site for this species in Northern Ireland is protected within an NNR.
Action plan objectives and targets
Maintain viable populations at all extant sites.
Achieve an increase of 20% in population size of this species at 5 sites by 2008
Establish three additional populations by 2003 within the historic range
Assess the feasibility of supporting the conservation of this species through an ex-situ programme.
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
Assess the scale of protection already afforded to this species by designated sites and consider the need for additional designation or protection on other extant sites. (ACTION: CCW, NE, SNH)
When next reviewed, consider how existing agri-environment schemes could benefit the species, particularly in encouraging extensive land-use practices on land surrounding stronghold sites, and reducing the impact of run-off on water quality. (ACTION: CCW, NE, MAFF, SNH, SOAEFD, WOAD)
In contributing to any review of common land legislation, take into account the requirements of marsh clubmoss and other wet heath species. (ACTION: CCW, NE)
Site safeguard and management
Where marsh clubmoss falls within SACs, promote favourable wet heath management which will benefit the species. (ACTION: CCW, NE, SNH)
Where indicated as being necessary by 5.5.1, attempt to secure suitable management conditions on threatened sites. (ACTION: CCW, EHS, NE, SNH)
Species management and protection
Restore marsh clubmoss to three historic sites where conditions still appear to be suitable for the species. Translocation of plant material from extant sites or ex-situ sources should only be undertaken if regeneration from the spore-bank or natural recolonisation does not occur. (ACTION: CCW, EHS, NE, SNH)
Assess the feasibility and desirability of establishing an ex-situ conservation programme, and implement promptly if appropriate. (ACTION: CCW, EHS, NE, JNCC, SNH)
Advisory
Ensure that landowners and managers on extant sites are aware of the presence and importance of this species, and are advised on appropriate management. (ACTION: CCW, EHS, NE, SNH)
Advise relevant agri environment project officers of locations of this species, its importance and management needed for its conservation. (ACTION: CCW, DANI, EHS, NE, MAFF, SNH, SOAEFD, WOAD)
Future Research and Monitoring
Collate all known information on extant and former British sites, re-surveying sites where necessary to determine the current distribution and status of this species, assess management regimes and identify current threats. (ACTION: CCW, EHS, NE, FA, JNCC, SNH)
Undertake research into the ecological requirements of this species and the reasons for its decline. Research should include a comparison of survival and performance on sites selected for a range of management conditions in order to inform positive management agreements to maintain and enhance existing populations. (ACTION: CCW, EHS, NE, JNCC, SNH)
Undertake further surveys for the plant, particularly in Scotland and north Wales where new sites may await discovery. (ACTION: CCW, EHS, NE, JNCC, SNH)
Encourage research into the European status of this species. (ACTION: JNCC)
Communications and Publicity
Promote the importance of habitats with fluctuating water levels and high levels of disturbance. An article should be written for appropriate farming and conservation publications. (ACTION: CCW, EHS, NE, SNH)
Encourage botanists to report any records of this species, including ecological information. An article should be written for botanical publications in order to raise awareness of the plant. (ACTION: CCW, EHS, NE, SNH)
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, p205)