ROCK SEA-LAVENDER (LIMONIUM BRITANNICUM SSP. CELTICUM)
LOCAL BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN

OBJECTIVES

Maintain and, ideally, extend current local range and distribution of Rock sea-lavender.

NATIONAL TARGETS

Maintain the range of L. britannicum

LOCAL TARGETS

Maintain a viable population of the species on Hilbre Island.

CURRENT STATUS

The species of Limonium which are endemic to Britain all belong to the Limonium binervosum aggregate (rock sea-lavenders). The taxonomy of this group was revised in 1986 and nine species and numerous infra-specific taxa are now recognised. Of the nine species, eight are believed to be endemic to Britain, these are Limonium britannicum, L. dodartiforme, L. loganicum, L.paradoxum, L. parvum, L. procerum, L. recurvum and L. transwallianum. These species grow almost exclusively on rocks and sea-cliffs of a wide range of geological types although a few have also been recorded from other habitats.
All known colonies of the endemic rock sea-lavenders are confined to the west coasts of England and Wales between Dorset and Cumbria, with different species predominating on different stretches of coast. There is little evidence that these Limonium taxa have declined significantly. However, conservation action is proposed because of their endemic status and small population sizes.

Limonium britannicum ssp. celticum is listed in the RDB as NEAR THREATENED. It is confined to North Wales, Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria and is recorded in three 10 km squares in North West Britain. In Wirral, the plant occurs on Hilbre Island, off the west coast of the Wirral peninsula at the mouth of the Dee estuary. There are two colonies approximately 220m apart, containing 1000+ and 100+ plants respectively.

Of the endemic taxa, nine are classified as VULNERABLE and the other six as NEAR THREATENED. They receive general protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, although none are specially protected under Schedule 8.

THREATS

Erosion of sea cliffs
Erosion of soil on sea cliffs
Rise in sea level
Inappropriate sea defence works
Loss of suitable habitat through competition with other species
Trampling of plants by recreation users

CURRENT ACTION

Nationally, all known colonies of L. britannicum lie within SSSIs.
Hilbre Island has the following designations: SSSI, LNR, Ramsar, SPA and candidate SAC. It is managed for recreation and nature conservation by Wirral Borough Council's Ranger Service.
Rock walls have been built to retain soil on cliff-tops vulnerable to wave action. Walls also guide visitors away from some areas, reducing trampling.
Interpretation of the environment is carried out by the Ranger Service, raising awareness of the plant's importance..

ACTION REQUIRED IN 2006+

Continue construction of retaining walls to prevent soil washing away, and control access.
Ensure local plans and policy documents take account of the species, eg. Hilbre management plan.
Make appropriate connections with other BAP areas where plants exist to aid information-sharing.
Design appropriate methodology for baseline survey and regular monitoring.
Continue interpretive programme to raise awareness of trampling/picking problems

ACTION COMPLETED PREVIOUSLY

None

ACTUAL LBAP IMPLEMENTERS

rECOrd

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council

Wirral Wildlife

OTHER POTENTIAL IMPLEMENTERS

Local groups and individuals

CONTACT

D. Cavanagh, Hilbre Island LNR
Phone: 0151 632 4455.

Barbara Greenwood, Wirral Wildlife
Phone: 0151 342 5885.

REFERENCES

HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 2: Action Plans, London.
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 1: Meeting the Rio Challenge, London.
Ingrouille, M.J. and Stace, C.A. (1986), 'The L. binervosum Aggregate (Plumbaginaceae) in the British Isles' in The Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, Vol 92, pp. 177-217.
Wigginton, M.J. (1999). British Red Data Books: Volume 1 - Vascular Plants (3rd Edition), Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough.
Rodwell, J.S. (ed.) (2000), British Plant Communities: Volume 5, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Date compiled - 2001
Date reviewed - 2002

This plan is part of the Wirral Biodiversity Action Plan which can be viewed at www.wirral.gov.uk/ed/biodiversity/home.htm