The establishment of recovery sites for Saxifraga hirculus L. in NE Scotland

Abstract

Summary Work fulfilling actions and research specified in the Biodiversity Action Plan for SaxÍfraga hirculus is described. Two recovery sites have been set up in suitable mires situated within 3 km of lost sites. Seeds from two of the three remaining N. Scottish sites germinated readily, and plants were successfully propagated in a garden. Transplanting to the first recovery site began in 1996 and to the second in 2000. Transplants survived well and increased in size, with some flowering. Direct sowing of seeds to the recovery sites was less successful, with poor survival and very slow growth of seedlings. Competition from resident mire plants is thought to control the performance of the transplants, growth being most checked in hummocks of Sphagnum warnstorfii. Ideally transplants should have c. 100 cm2 basal area.