Current status
Woolly willow is one of a number of bushy willows found only in mountain areas. In other parts of the world these willows form high altitude scrub above the tree line but in Britain are usually present only as relict scattered bushes found on ledges inaccessible to grazing animals, on cliffs and in stream gorges. The woolly willow is further restricted by its requirement for calcareous soils.
Vegetation mapping of all upland SSSI in Scotland suggests that 2000 ha of land was occupied by willow scrub with woolly willow before the vegetation was modified by the influence of man. It now occurs in only 12 locations in Scotland. All but one of these populations are very small (less than 100 plants) and four are of single individuals. Willows have separate sexes and so these single bushes are now incapable of regenerating without artificial help. At least two recorded populations have died out since 1950. The species is restricted to Arctic and sub-Arctic Eurasia and in the UK is confined to Scotland.
In GB woolly willow is classified as Vulnerable. It receives general protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Current factors causing loss or decline
Grazing has removed montane willows from accessible ground and restricts the woolly willow to small niches on very steep areas where it is more vulnerable to chance events such as erosion, rock falls and snow avalanches.
Lack of recruitment is likely to be a factor in the survival of all the very small populations while the isolated single sex populations are now clearly incapable of sexual regeneration since they are beyond the range of pollen transport.
Current action
All but two populations are within SSSIs and five are within SACs identified for sub-arctic willow scrub (although two of these populations are single plants).
The significance of this species has been made known to some landowners and in some cases there is an expressed intention to reduce the numbers of red deer (to improve the quality of deer stocks).
Plants from Breadalbane sites have been raised from cuttings and seed to reinforce populations on Ben Lawers NNR.
Exclosures have been erected around the largest remaining population and on Ben Lawers to enable spread of the species to ground less vulnerable to catastrophic impacts (see 2.1).
This species is an important component of sub-Arctic willow scrub, an EC Habitats and Species Directive Annex 1 habitat.
Action plan objectives and targets
Ensure that all populations are restored to a state capable of regenerating by 2008
Ensure that each population will consist of at least 50 plants (or the sustainable maximum for the site) by 2008.
Reintroduce the species to two former sites by 2003.
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
Investigate the possibility of benefiting the woolly willow through a programme of restoring natural tree-line communities in selected areas of Britain's mountains, as an element of forestry policy. (ACTION: FA)
Site safeguard and management
Where the survival or regeneration potential of surviving bushes is threatened by grazing, reduce grazing intensity by managing stocking levels or by the use of exclosures, ensuring that this does not significantly threaten other important elements of the biodiversity of the area. (ACTION: SNH)
Attempt to enlarge very small populations by favourable habitat management or by use of exclosures, again ensuring that this does not significantly threaten other elements of biodiversity. Wherever possible extend the population to ground less vulnerable to damage from catastrophic impacts. (ACTION: SNH)
Species management and protection
At those sites where natural sexual regeneration is prevented by lack of numbers, or by the absence of one sex, attempt to improve recruitment by establishing new bushes. Seek to increase genetic diversity initially by using wild-collected seed rather than vegetative material. (ACTION: SNH)
Reintroduce two extinct populations to former sites following the recommendations of 5.5.4. (ACTION: SNH)
Advisory
Advise all owners and occupiers of land with woolly willow populations of their presence, significance and management requirements. (ACTION: SNH)
Future Research and Monitoring
Complete status assessment at all known sites by recording the location and sex of all surviving bushes. (ACTION: SNH)
Monitor the survival, incidence of grazing and seed production of all bushes. (ACTION: SNH)
Investigate genetic variation within and between populations to inform translocation measures. (ACTION: SNH)
Investigate the feasibility of restoring populations to former sites by collating past records, checking that the species is not still present, assessing the presence and extent of suitable habitat, and considering any modifications required to current management for the establishment of the willow. Consideration should also be given to possible damage to other elements of biodiversity if management is modified, and willingness of the landowners to permit the action. (ACTION: SNH)
Communications and Publicity
Use the woolly willow as an example to demonstrate the effects of current land use of upland areas in Britain, and the necessary remedial management to maintain those elements of biodiversity which are threatened by current practices. (ACTION: SNH)
Links with other action plans
None given.
Local implementation
The following LBAPs are working on Salix lanata:
Publication details
Originally published in: UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume I: Vertebrates and vascular plants (June 1998, Tranche 2, Vol I, p221)