SLENDER GREEN FEATHER MOSS ACTION PLAN
Description
The slender green feather moss (Haematocaulis vernicosus) is an upright, pinnately
branched, green to golden brown moss that occurs in usually small patches in slightly
basic flushes on upland and lowland sites. It does not appear to tolerate deep shade,
occurring most frequently in flushes below springs in the uplands kept free of scrub by
constant light grazing. Until recently it has been confused with the similar moss
Scorpidium cossonii which appears to occur more frequently. The latter favours more
base-rich flushes.
Targets
Target 1:
Understand the current distribution, population sizes and habitat
requirements of the slender green feather moss in Powys.
Target 2:
Maintain the distribution and population at or above the present level.
Target 3:
Promote sympathetic forms of management of its known sites and other
apparently suitable areas.
Target 4:
Use this moss as a flagship to promote good management of wetlands
on Powys commons and upland rough grazings.
Our Partnership with Nature: A Local Biodiversity Action Plan for Wales. September 2002 242
Current status
Slender green feather moss is considered threatened on a European scale and listed
on Annex II of the EC Habitats Directive and Appendix I of the Bern Convention.
British populations may be of international significance and are protected through
Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981). Recent surveys commissioned
by English Nature, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales
have failed to locate it in a number of former sites. Powys for the present, appears to
host a major concentration of sites. Six sites on Mynydd Epynt have been selected as
candidate Special Areas of Conservation under the European Habitats Directive.
Most records have been made as a result of opportunistic surveys and additional
populations almost certainly await discovery. Surveys of the highest ground, such as
the upper Elan and Irfon Valleys have failed to locate this moss, though apparently
suitable habitat is present. In addition to Mynydd Epynt slender green feather moss
appears to be most frequent on the commons of Radnor and the lower parts of
Abergwesyn common in Brecknock.
Current factors affecting the species
All known populations appear at present to be subject to sympathetic management.
Factors which might affect this moss should management patterns change include:
• Any alteration to the management of the catchment of the flushes in which this
moss occurs such as by drainage work, abstraction through boreholes or the
diversion of additional water into a catchment which might alter the flows of water
or water quality
• Any change in grazing intensity, which through reduction, might lead to scrub
encroachment or the rank growth of herbs, sedges and grasses or conversely
through an increase to damage by poaching
• An increase in recreational activity, particularly the use of motor cycles which
might damage the flush vegetation or alter drainage patterns.
• Acidic atmospheric pollutants which might reduce the base status of flushes or the
use of artificial fertilizers or other nutrient rich materials which through drift or
leaching into the flush catchments might alter the nutrient status of the flushes.
Current action in Powys
•
•
•
Six sites on Mynydd Epynt have been selected as candidate SACs and have been
notified as Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
The National Trust as owner of Abergwesyn common has been notified of the
presence of this moss on the common.
Further ad hoc surveys are being undertaken of apparently suitable flushes in
Radnorshire and north Brecknockshire. A database of site information has been
created and it includes associated species and basic water chemistry. This is held
by CCW in Aberystwyth.
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Our Partnership with Nature: A Local Biodiversity Action Plan for Wales. September 2002
Slender Green Feather-moss Action Plan
Action
Policy and legislation
Ensure owners and occupiers of sites supporting this
moss are aware of the provisions of Schedule 8 of the
Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Designate additional SSSIs for this species if sites meet
scheduling criteria.
Ensure that all forms of planning guidance recognise the
importance of this species.
Site safeguard and management
Identify key sites for this moss and ensure they are
adequately protected by advice to land owners and land
managers and that proper provision is made in
management statements and plans for statutory sites.
Keep abreast of developments which might affect
common land with flushes to ensure appropriate
management continues.
Monitoring and research
Encourage survey to improve knowledge of the
distribution and ecology of this moss.
Pass information to BIS and CCW to collate as the
national BAP lead partner.
Undertake periodic surveys (every five years) of existing
sites to improve understanding of population dynamics
and ensure appropriate management continues.
Advisory
Ensure information is available on the conservation
requirements of this moss for landowners and occupiers,
planning staff etc.
Encourage uptake of Tir Gofal and other management
agreements where this is likely to safeguard or further
the conservation of this moss.
Meets
target
Deliverer
Complete
by
2
CCW, WTs
2003
2,3
CCW
2
PCC, CCW
2003,
ongoing
2003,
ongoing
1,3
CCW,
WTs
PCC,
2004
2,3
PCC,
WTs
CCW,
2003,
ongoing
1
CCW, WTs
1,2
CCW, WTs
2,3
CCW, WTs
2,3,4
WTs, CCW,
PCC, BIS
2003
2
CCW
2003,
ongoing
2003,
ongoing
2003,
ongoing
2005, 2010
Associated action plans
•
•
•
•
•
UK national action plan for slender green feather moss (for which CCW is the lead
partner)
Powys lowland raised bog action plan
Powys upland and lowland heath action plan
Brecon Beacons National Park BAP
Powys County Council common land action plans for selected commons
Our Partnership with Nature: A Local Biodiversity Action Plan for Wales. September 2002 244