PLOT’S ELM (ULMUS
PLOTII) ACTION PLAN
Lead Agencies Public Sector English Nature
Voluntary Sector Wildlife Trust
1 INTRODUCTION
The rarest native species of Elm, Plot’s Elm is
only found in the Midlands, and only in two sites in Northamptonshire. It has
suffered from the spread of Dutch Elm disease.
2 CURRENT STATUS
2.1 International / National Status
Plot’s Elm is a
native species of elm that occurs naturally only in the Midlands of
England. It is our rarest native Elm
and it is recorded as a nationally scarce species in Britain.
It is a constituent
of lowland hedgerows and shelterbelts.
It has a very restricted natural distribution. It is believed by some authorities to be endemic in the flood
plains of river systems in the North Midlands of England. Dutch Elm disease and
the loss of old hedgerows have greatly reduced its already scarce
population.
2.2 Local Status
Druce (1911) recorded this elm as ‘locally
common’ but it is now extremely rare and only found at two sites in
Northamptonshire. It was originally
thought to be extinct until spring 1992 when five young trees that showed
definite features of U. plotii were
found in a farm gateway at Laxton. This
was previously one of the best-known sites for this species.
Large well-grown trees with many suckers have
been recorded on the edge of a farm, adjacent to a roadside hedge in Bulwick,
about 1km from Laxton.
3 CURRENT FACTORS CAUSING LOSS OR DECLINE
·
The main cause of decline was the outbreak of
Dutch Elm disease in the 1970s. Fewer than 50 populations are known to survive
and of those only 4 or 5 contain mature trees. However, the population was
already scarce before this outbreak and it has been suggested that
hybridisation with other British taxa may explain this comparative scarcity.
·
The loss of old hedgerows due to development
and agricultural intensification has also contributed to its decline.
4 CURRENT ACTION
No current action.
5. PLOT’S ELM OBJECTIVES AND ACTIONS
|
|
Objective |
Action |
Lead Agency |
Partners |
Targets |
5.1
|
Policy and Legislation
|
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|
Objective One: Ensure that BAP species are given an
appropriate level of protection |
Include species protection policies in local
plans and/or supplementary guidance |
Local Authorities |
Wildlife Trust |
By 2003 |
|
|
|
Ensure that all Plot’s Elms in the county are
protected by Tree Preservation Orders. |
Local Authorities |
Wildlife Trust, County Flora Group |
By 2002 |
5.2
|
Site Safeguard and Management
(including Species Management and Protection)
|
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|
Objective Two: Maintain and enhance the current range of
Plot’s Elm |
Encourage farmers and landowners to manage
known sites and individual trees sympathetically |
Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group |
Local Authorities, English Nature |
Throughout Action Plan Period |
|
|
|
Investigate the potential of raising the
species from seed and cuttings in nurseries with a view to re-establishment
them in suitable locations |
English Nature |
Local Authorities, Wildlife Trust, English
Nature, Forestry Commission |
By 2003 |
|
|
|
Develop and implement a re-establishment
programme using propagated stock |
Wildlife Trust |
Tree Wardens, English Nature, |
By 2004 |
5.3
|
Advisory
|
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|
|
Objective Three: Provide advice on appropriate management of
existing and newly planted Plot’s Elms targeted towards farmers and
landowners |
Advise farmers/landowners on appropriate
management techniques to maintain and enhance existing habitats and
individual trees. Provide them with individual action plans |
English Nature |
Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, Local
Authorities, Tree Wardens |
By 2003 |
5.4
|
Future Research and Monitoring
|
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|
|
Objective Four: Locate and record sites where Plot’s Elms is
present in Northamptonshire, and establish a long-term monitoring scheme |
Locate existing Plot’s Elms in
Northamptonshire, noting their current condition |
County Flora Group |
Wildlife Trust, Tree Wardens |
By 2002 |
|
|
|
Following initial research establish a
long-term monitoring scheme to assess the condition of existing specimens |
Wildlife Trust |
University College Northampton |
Commencing 2003 |
|
|
Objective Five: Research the habitat requirements of Plot’s
Elm |
Initiate a research project in to the habitat
requirements of Plot’s Elm in Northamptonshire with a view to future
introductions |
Wildlife Trust |
University College Northampton |
By 2003 |
5.5
|
Review
|
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|
Objective Six: Review the plan to assess progress, and where
necessary update and amend |
|
Wildlife Trust |
BAP Partners |
2005 |
|
|
Objective Seven: Publicise the progress made in delivering
this Action Plan in a BAP Annual Report |
|
|
BAP Partners |
Annually |