194
Views
0
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Articles

Population status and ecology of the globally threatened moss Ditrichum plumbicola Crundw. on the Isle of Man

ORCID Icon &
Pages 30-37 | Published online: 21 Dec 2022
 

ABSTRACT

Introduction.

Ditrichum plumbicola Crundw. is a rare metallophyte that is threatened with global extinction. In this study, its population status and ecology on the Isle of Man were investigated.

Methods.

Surveys were carried out at all sites where the species may currently occur. Geographical coordinates of colonies were recorded using a GPS unit and counts made of occupied 1 m grid cells. Habitat and community composition were recorded by relevés. The chemical composition of occupied soil was also ascertained.

Key results and conclusions.

Two subpopulations of the species have occurred, associated with the two main ore bodies on the island. One of the subpopulations has become extinct. The other subpopulation comprises colonies at four nearby disused metal mines. It occurs at each in small quantity, with a total population of 47 occupied 1 m grid cells. The species is confined to open metalliferous spoil with high concentrations of lead. Solenostoma gracillimum is the only frequent associate. Management intervention to re-expose open metalliferous spoil will be required ultimately to save the species from extinction.

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to the following for various generous assistance: Len Ellis (BM), Laura McCoy (Manx National Heritage), Oliver Pescott (BRC, Wallingford), Katherine Slade (NMW) and Joanna Wragg (British Geological Survey). The soil analysis was kindly carried out by Jane Entwistle and Lindsay Bramwell at Northumbria University.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflicts of interest were reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for this work was provided by the Isle of Man Government.

Notes on contributors

Des A. Callaghan

Des A. Callaghan is a consultant bryologist operating under Bryophyte Surveys Ltd, working throughout Britain and further afield. His research is focused on threatened species, taxonomy and conservation ecology.

Louise Samson

Louise Samson is a chartered ecologist working for the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture of the Isle of Man Government. Her work covers a broad range of species and habitat conservation work on the Isle of Man.

Log in via your institution

Log in to Taylor & Francis Online

PDF download + Online access

  • 48 hours access to article PDF & online version
  • Article PDF can be downloaded
  • Article PDF can be printed
USD 61.00 Add to cart

Issue Purchase

  • 30 days online access to complete issue
  • Article PDFs can be downloaded
  • Article PDFs can be printed
USD 448.00 Add to cart

* Local tax will be added as applicable

Related Research

People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read.

Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine.

Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.
Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab.