Current status
Nowell`s limestone moss is a medium-sized moss growing in brownish-green tufts. It is mostly found on old limestone walls, but there are also two records from what must be its natural habitat of dry, exposed rock outcrops and loose stones of Carboniferous limestone. Its autecology is poorly understood, and it has been found with capsules only once in Britain.
This species is endemic to Europe where it is known in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Poland. In Britain it has been recorded from five distinct areas of West Yorkshire, but most of these have not been visited for many years.
In Great Britain this species is provisionally classified as Endangered and is specially protected under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is listed as Vulnerable in the 1995 Red Data Book of European Bryophytes.
Current factors causing loss or decline
Destruction, cleaning and unsympathetic renovation of dry stone wall sites.
Botanical collecting may be a threat at some sites.
Colonies of this species may be threatened where coils of zinc-coated wire are placed on top of walls to make them stockproof. The zinc appears to be toxic to this species and many other mosses.
Nutrient enrichment from agricultural practices.
Current action
All sites where this species has been recorded recently are within SSSIs.
Action plan objectives and targets
Maintain populations of this species at all known sites.
Increase the extent of existing populations where appropriate and biologically feasible.
If desirable and biologically feasible, establish three new colonies in the vicinity of extant populations.
Establish by 2005 ex situ stocks of this species to safeguard extant populations.
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
None proposed.
Site safeguard and management
Ensure that limestone walls with colonies of Nowell's limestone moss are maintained in a way that is appropriate for the conservation of this species. Walls should not be regularly cleaned, and extreme care should be exercised when undertaking repair works. (ACTION: NE)
Ensure that the requirements of the species are taken into account in the management of SSSIs on which this species occurs. (ACTION: NE)
Species management and protection
Depending on the results of 5.5.3, establish ex situ stocks of this species from material derived from British populations. (ACTION: NE, RBG Kew)
Advisory
Advise landowners and managers, and relevant agencies, of the presence and importance of Nowell's limestone moss, specific management for its conservation, and any potentially damaging actions. Landowners and managers should have access to specialist advice if needed. (ACTION: NE)
Future Research and Monitoring
Resurvey all sites where this species has been recorded in order to confirm the current status of Nowell's limestone moss at each. Extend the survey to cover suitable habitat in the vicinity of these sites which may support Nowell's limestone moss. An assessment of current threats to each site should also be made and used to inform site management and protection measures. (ACTION: NE)
Undertake regular monitoring at all extant sites in order to identify changes in the population of Nowell's limestone moss and to maintain a close understanding of threats to its conservation. (ACTION: NE)
Undertake pilot studies to develop and refine ex situ conservation techniques for this species and other threatened bryophytes. (ACTION: NE, RBG Kew)
Communications and Publicity
Encourage bryologists to pass all records of Nowell's limestone moss, including ecological information, to a national database. (ACTION: NE, JNCC)
Liaise with specialist societies to increase the awareness and identification skills of bryologists and other naturalists in relation to this species, through publishing articles or holding identification workshops. (ACTION: NE, JNCC)
Coordinate the conservation programme for Nowell's limestone moss with initiatives that encourage the conservation of dry limestone walls in areas where this species occurs. (ACTION: CC, NE)
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, p287)
Related links
ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to this species