Current status
Scaly breck-lichen is a species of sandy, calcareous soils and dunes. In Britain, it grows on the highly calcareous soils of the Brecklands, where the soil is derived directly from the chalk or boulder clay beneath. Disturbance of the soil is important for this species, in order to keep the sward open. All the current sites have had some ground disturbance in the past 50 years.
The species is now restricted to the Brecklands of East Anglia, predominantly in Suffolk, although extending into Norfolk, and is now thought to be restricted to four sites. Previously recorded from Weeting Heath in Norfolk, it was refound there, in a new locality, in 1997. It was formerly also known from East Sussex and the Isle of Wight and unconfirmed records also exist for Somerset and Cornwall. Elsewhere it is known to occur throughout Europe, from Norway to the Mediterranean, south-eastern Russia, North America, North Africa and Asia.
Scaly breck-lichen is classified as Endangered in Great Britain, and is specially protected under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Current factors causing loss or decline
This species has declined sharply since the mid-1980s. One of the main reasons for this is believed to be loss of bare ground habitat on its Breckland sites due to a fall in the rabbit population following the outbreak of myxamatosis.
The drift of agricultural chemicals is a potential current threat.
Current action
Since 1992, scaly breck-lichen has been included in English Nature's Species Recovery Programme, and is monitored regularly. Material from relatively healthy populations has been transplanted to other suitable sites nearby and subsequent progress is being monitored.
All of the known sites for this species are within SSSIs.
Action plan objectives and targets
Maintain populations at all extant sites.
Encourage the spread of scaly breck-lichen from current sites where appropriate and biologically feasible.
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
Ensure that the requirements of this species are considered during future reviews of the Breckland ESA scheme. (ACTION: MAFF)
Site safeguard and management
Consider notifying as SSSIs newly discovered unprotected sites, where this is consistent with selection guidelines and necessary to ensure their long-term protection and appropriate management. (ACTION: NE)
Control scrub growth on all extant sites. (ACTION: NE)
Assess the threat to extant sites posed by the drift of agricultural chemicals. Implement measures to address this threat where it is identified to be significant. Measures may include management agreements on SSSIs, and agri-environment schemes on surrounding land. (ACTION: NE, MAFF)
Undertake soil disturbance on all extant sites to encourage the spread of this species. This management will initially be experimental, and methods should be refined in the light of observations made during initial trials. (ACTION: NE)
Species management and protection
Assess the possibility of undertaking translocations of this species in order to facilitate its spread. (ACTION: NE)
Advisory
Advise landowners and managers of the presence and importance of scaly breck-lichen, its legal status, specific management for its conservation, and any potentially damaging actions. Landowners and managers should have access to specialist advice if needed. (ACTION: NE)
As far as possible, ensure that relevant agri-environment project officers are advised of the locations of this species, its importance, management requirements and potential threats. (ACTION: NE, MAFF)
Future Research and Monitoring
Compile information and resurvey sites where necessary to determine the current distribution and status of this species in Britain. Current threats to all extant sites should also be assessed. (ACTION: NE)
Undertake regular monitoring at all extent sites with the aim of assessing changes in population size and habitat quality. (ACTION: NE)
Commission a research project to improve understanding of the management requirements of this species, the reasons for its sharp decline since the mid-1980s, and to assess the possibility of re-establishing this species at suitable former sites. (ACTION: NE)
Investigate the feasibility of ex situ cultivation as an adjunct to translocation attempts. (ACTION: NE)
Communications and Publicity
Encourage lichenologists to pass all records of scaly breck-lichen including ecological information, to a national database. (ACTION: NE, JNCC)
Liaise with specialist societies to increase the awareness and identification skills of lichenologists and other naturalists in relation to this species, through publishing articles or holding identification workshops. (ACTION: NE, JNCC)
Links with other action plans
None given.
Publication details
Originally published in: UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume III: Plants and fungi (February 1999, Tranche 2, Vol III, p137)
Related links
ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to this species