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 | To contribute to the conservation of this species in the UK through the maintenance of London’s population. |
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 StatusThere 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 Species4.1 Protection and management
The continued protection and suitable management of the Stain Hill site is
crucial. 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.
5.1 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 managementThames Water Utilities manage the Stain Hill site to ensure the continued existence of the colony of tower mustard.
5.2.2 National mechanismsNationally, 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.
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Action |
Target Date |
Lead |
Other Partners |
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Continue management of Stain Hill Reservoir population |
Ongoing |
TW |
EN, Plantlife |
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Ensure population data is collected annually from Stain Hill and supplied to Plantlife for databasing in co-operation with BSBI Threatened Plants Database. |
Ongoing |
TW |
Plantlife, BSBI |
Objective 2 Establish populations on demonstration plots, to publicise the species and learn more about its ecology.
Target : Establish one public demonstration plot by 2002
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Action |
Target Date |
Lead |
Other Partners |
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Ensure that seed from Stain Hill is stored in the Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst Place |
2001 |
RBGK |
TW |
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Conduct feasibility study on the establishment of a population in the Queen Charlotte Cottage Grounds nature reserve at Kew, to serve as a demonstration plot and seed source for further establishments |
2002 |
RBGK |
Plantlife |
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Establish a public demonstration plot at the Wetland Centre, Barnes |
2002 |
WWT |
Plantlife |
Relevant Action Plans
Wasteland; Lakes, Ponds & Reservoirs
National Plans
Tower mustard
Key References
Davis R (1999). Species Action Plans for plants: Tower mustard, Plantlife.
Abbreviations
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BSBI - Botanical Society of the British
Isles |
TW – Thames Water |
Contact
The Lead for this species is English Nature.
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Peter Massini |
Tel 020 7831 6922 |
© Andy Tomczynski