Bryophytes of Glamorgan. George Tordoff

Transcription

1 Bryophytes of Glamorgan George Tordoff

2 A bit of history bryophyte atlas (3 vols) published by BBS. Hectad (10km square) scale. At this time, Glamorgan was the best recorded county in South Wales. Two county floras: Tony Smith (1964) while based at Swansea University Tony Smith (left) in Photo: BBS

3 A bit of history Roy Perry Chapter in Flora of Glamorgan (1994) Based at NMW. Active recorder in 1970s and 1980s. Many well-known sites visited (e.g. Morlais Hill) & interesting species found.

4 A bit of history Then a long period of stasis Preliminary maps drawn up for second bryophyte atlas (published 2014) showed embarrassing Glamorganshaped hole for many species Gaps acute for species which had increased since the first bryophyte atlas, e.g. many epiphytes

5 In the meantime, other South Wales counties caught up Carmarthenshire: Atlas published Tetrad scale. Sam Bosanquet, Jonathan Graham & Graham Motley. Records from 642 of 678 tetrads. Pembrokeshire: Atlas published Tetrad scale. Sam Bosanquet. Recording All 484 tetrads visited except Grassholm! Breconshire: Graham Motley continues to record, as well as some recording by others. Monmouthshire: about half tetrads now visited by Sam. Urgent need for more Glamorgan recording in time for second atlas!

6 What are bryophytes? Oldest lineage of land plants Small no major root system (rhizoids only). Leaves usually only one cell thick. Reproduce asexually (gemmae, tubers, leaf fragments) and sexually (spores)

7 Bryophyte groups 1) Mosses Thatch moss Leptodontium gemmascens (Barry Stewart) Common Tamarisk-moss Thuidium tamariscinum

8 Bryophyte groups 2) Liverworts Two types: Leafy Thallose Narrow Mushroom-headed Liverwort Preissia quadrata Grove Earwort Scapania nemorea

9 Bryophyte groups 3) Hornworts Look like thallose liverworts but with horns Anthoceros species

10 Bryophytes in the UK Around 1,050 species. Two thirds of European species! Highest diversity in north and west (high rainfall areas) Flora is changing all the time Rise of the epiphytes. Biological Records Centre maps

11 Bryophyte ecology Occur in almost all habitats and on almost all substrates

12 Bryophyte identification Worth considering courses Can be recorded autumnspring BBS, 2010 Watson, 1981

13 The renaissance West Glamorgan leads the way: Barry Stewart (started 2011), Charles & Hilary Hipkin (2011) East Glamorgan: Peter Sturgess, Mark Evans Gareth Farr and others Visits from Sam Bosanquet, Graham Motley BBS field meeting in the Rhondda, species recorded one member was so taken with the area that she said she was tempted to move house to Treorchy.

14 Craig y Llyn, October 2014 All photos Barry Stewart Smooth Haircap Atrichum crispum 135 species recorded, including first Glamorgan record of Recurved Rock-bristle Seligeria recurvata

15 Bryophyte blog Extremely successful: 240 posts since October 2014 Sharing information: exciting finds tetrad progress help with IDs keeping each other going with routine recording

16 Progress

17 Progress: 2015 Me

18 Surprises New sites for scarce species Southern Crestwort Lophocolea semiteres at Gnoll Country Park (Neath), new for Glamorgan Only 4 th Welsh record Charles Hipkin

19 Surprises New sites for scarce species Squirreltail moss Leucodon sciuroides Epiphyte, much declined. Usually on old trees.

20 Surprises New sites for scarce species Squirreltail moss Leucodon sciuroides Surprising to find it on a young sycamore in Bute Park!

21 Surprises New sites for scarce species Nearby on riverbank Mnium marginatum

22 Surprises New sites for scarce species Goblin Gold Schistostega pennata

23 Surprises Refinding old sites for scarce species: Untidy Earwort Scapania cuspiduligera at Knap car park, Mumbles First found by Jeff Duckett in 1969 Barry refound during a chip shop stop! Photos: Barry Stewart

24 Surprises Widespread species commoner than expected: Lyell s Bristle-moss Orthotrichum lyellii: uncommon Frequent at low density in Cardiff Street trees and others with well-lit trunks

25 Arrivals Balding Pincushion Ulota calvescens. Formerly very rare western species in UK. First recorded March 2015 by Barry at Loughor.

26 Arrivals Fingered Cowlwort Colura calyptrifolia. Formerly very rare western species in UK. Proving widespread in conifer plantations. Photo: Charles Hipkin

27 Tetrad map 2015 Lots still to do!

28 Aspiration Tetrad scale map for whole of South Wales?