| Southern Damselfly - South West |
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1Action for biodiversity |
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The Southern Damselfly is at the northern limit of its range in Britain being found in only seven counties at present; Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Pembrokeshire, Glamorgan, Anglesey and Oxfordshire (a single record in 1991). The UK strongholds remain in Pembrokeshire and the New Forest, but there has been a 30% decline in UK distribution since 1960. Previously this species has been recorded in Cornwall up to 1957 and in Somerset up to 1959. An internationally endangered species, it is rare in Great Britain, recorded in twenty-five 10 km squares since 1975 and in two additional squares since 1990. The species is listed as rare in the British Red Data Book and is on Annex 11 of the EC Habitat Directive as well as on Appendix 11 of the Bern Convention. It is listed in the UK Biodiversity Steering Group Report as a priority species for conservation action. The South West holds a few small colonies concentrated in Devon and Dorset. The Dorset heaths and the East Devon pebblebed commons are proposed SACs under the Habitats Directive, with one of the qualifying criteria being the presence of the southern damselfly. However, there is potential for new discoveries on the North Devon Culm grasslands Regional distribution in the South West1
Priority
Areas and natural areas in the South West1
Basic Management requirements1 Relevant Ecology Basic management requirements of the southern damselfly Common habitat type Basic-enriched flushes Grazing intensity The ideal grazing pressure would be that which maintained an open runnel network, with some poaching Stock type Traditional breeds of cattle (Devon, Shorthorn) or ponies (New Forest, Dartmoor) which cope best with coarse vegetation and are less selective than modern breeds are recommended. Time of grazing Summer (May-August) cattle grazing controls purple moor grass and is probably the best time on these sites. Black bog-rush is generally unpalatable, but cattle will eat it during the winter if nothing else is available. Scrub Control Scrub invasion will require periodic control. Some scrub should be retained to provide shelter from prevailing winds, without, however shading the watercourse Cutting Manual cutting of vegetation with brushcutters to mimic the results of grazing could be considered on sites during the autumn, where grazing is impractical and inadequate. Burning Burning, although not the preferred option, could be used to remove purple moor grass litter in February and would give a sweeter spring flush for subsequent summer grazing, or could be used as an alternative to grazing where this is not feasible or is inadequate at present. Care should be exercised not to damage Shapnum lawns and not to pollute watercourses. Digging Careful removal of purple moor grass tussocks and digging of small runnels with spades to mimic cattle poaching could restore channels adjacent to main colonies and provide further suitable habitat for colony expansion. Releases Releases should only be part of a regional recovery strategy. Clandestine releases should be avoided and deterred at all costs. Current
Factors affecting the species1
South West biodiversity objectives and proposed targets 1 OBJECTIVE 1 Ensure survival of southern damselfly in all known colonies TARGET: ongoing OBJECTIVE 2 Establish and maintain areas of suitable habitat adjacent to known
colonies OBJECTIVE 3 Establish a complete picture of southern damselfly distribution in the region, initiating surveys of potential sites where appropriate TARGET: ongoing OBJECTIVE 4 Re-establish southern damselfly colonies at a minimum of two former known areas TARGET: 2005 National: A UK biodiversity action plan has been prepared. Some individual sites are being monitored. Studies on the biology of this species are being carried out by members of the British Dragonfly Society. Survey of current and former sites in Devon and Dorset were funded by EN in 1994. Six sites (including East Devon Pebblebeds and Dorset Heaths) have been proposed as SACs under the EC Habitats Directive. The species is currently being considered for full protection under schedule 5 of the WCA 1981. Regional: Active management aimed principally for this
species is taking place at all sites (extinct and current) on East Devon
pebblebed commons. Some sites are being monitored by volunteers; in
Devon all known sites (extinct and current) are being surveyed and management
proposals set out. Some active management is taking place in Dorset
where sites are being surveyed and management proposals set out
Proposed Action 1 Policy and legislation
Ensure all sites are appropriately protected (by 1998) LEAD: EN, DoE Ensure that future development, drainage or hydrological alterations do not affect the integrity of southern damselfly sites (ongoing) LEAD: LA's, EN, EA PARTNERS: MAFF Promote and secure appropriate land management agreements/schemes
on all known sites (by 1999) Through appropriate active management (grazing or cutting) ensure that there is always adequate suitable habitat present at each site (ongoing) LEAD: EN, DNP, LAs PARTNERS: WTs, RSPB, MoD Management
Encourage further research into the damselfly's ecological requirements, especially to identify precise habitat requirements and appropriate re-introduction techniques (by 2000) LEAD: EA PARTNERS: EN, WTs, BDS Advisory Ensure the dissemination of information on southern damselfly distribution and habitat requirements to all landowners and managers of existing sites (by 2000/ongoing) LEAD: WTs PARTNERS: EN, BDS, DNP, RSPB Research
and monitoring
Monitor all sites annually if possible, and collate data (ongoing) Study the effects of habitat management on southern damselfly
together with other species associated with the same habitat (ongoing)
Research into possible causes of extinction at those sites now managed for southern damselfly prior to possible re-introduction (Venn Ottery Common, Hense Moor, Parley Heath) (by 2000) LEAD: EN, WTs PARTNERS: EN, BDS, HCT Education
and awareness raising
Promote appreciation and conservation of the southern damselfly
through educational activities, events, etc (ongoing) LEAD: WTs, EA
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