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To
contribute to the conservation of this species in the
UK through the maintenance of London's population.
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2. Introduction
Tower mustard (Arabis glabra) is a biennial plant
of disturbed habitats on free-draining, sandy soils in grassy
and wasteland places. It has smooth, grey-green leaves and
produces pale yellow flowers on stems 30-100 centimetres
tall. It is nationally scarce and declining, currently known
from only about 30 sites in England. Its rarity and rather
undistinguished appearance means that tower mustard is not
a plant which often touches the public consciousness. It
is not known to have ever had any significant culinary or
medical use anywhere within its wide European range, though
it is known to the Cheyenne of North America as a cure for
the common cold.
3.
Current Status
There is one large population of tower mustard in Greater
London, at Stain Hill Reservoir in the Borough of Richmond
upon Thames. This is one of the largest populations in the
country, surpassed only by couple of East Anglian sites.
This site is in secure ownership and management, which this
plan seeks to maintain. Other historical records have been
traced, the majority of which are pre-20th century, and
do not appear to offer scope for population restoration.
The plan will therefore look to other ways in which Greater
London can contribute to research on the species and to
targets for population creation by introduction in the future.
4.
Specific Factors Affecting the Species
4.1 Protection and
management
The continued protection and suitable management of the
Stain Hill site is crucial.
4.2 Other
Other historic sites in London have been lost through development
or changes to habitat. Nationally, it has suffered due to
the loss of open habitat on heathland, through development,
agricultural improvement, forestry and neglect. It is also
vulnerable to high levels of rabbit grazing.
5.
Current Action
5.1 Legal status
Tower mustard receives the same protection as all other
wild plants in the UK through the Wildlife and Countryside
Act, 1981. Therefore, it may not be uprooted without the
permission of the landowner.
The Stain Hill site is protected in the Richmond Unitary
Development Plan (UDP) as a site of importance for nature
conservation.
5.2 Mechanisms targeting the species
These current actions are ongoing.
They need to be supported and continued in addition to the
new action listed under Section 7.
5.2.1 Local management
Thames Water Utilities manage the Stain Hill site to ensure
the continued existence of the colony of tower mustard.
5.2.2 National
mechanisms
Nationally, tower mustard is included in English Nature's
Species Recovery programme.
6. Objectives,
Actions and Targets
Most of these actions are
specific to this species. However, there are other, broader
actions that apply generically to a number of habitats and
species. These are located in a separate 'Generic
Action' section
which should be read in conjunction with this document.
There are generic actions for Site Management, Habitat Protection,
Species Protection, Ecological Monitoring, Biological Records,
Communications and Funding.
Please note that the partners
identified in the tables are those that have been involved
in the process of forming the plan. It is not an exclusive
list and new partners are both welcomed and needed. The
leads identified are responsible for co-ordinating the actions
· but are not necessarily implementers.
Objective 1 Ensure the protection and suitable management
of the extant population.
Target: No reduction in size of Stain Hill population,
measured annually.
