Early bluebells kickstart survey to save the woodland flower
http://timesonline.typepad.com/environment/2008/03/early-bluebells.html
Bluebells have astonished botanists by blooming in at least two parts of Britain more than a month early.
Sightings of bluebells were reported in Dorset on February 25 and in Surrey two days later, with one of the flowers thought to have been out several days earlier.
Researchers said the discovery of bluebells in flower so early in the year was unprecedented.
“We fell over backwards when we realised bluebells were in flower,” said Dr Mark Spencer, curator of the British plant collection at the Natural History Museum in London.
“They are extraordinarily early. The bluebell in Dorset showed signs of having been in bloom since February 21 which is astronomically early. February is the earliest we’ve ever known bluebells to flower.”
Deatils of the sightings, regarded as further evidence of climate change, were released as a survey to identify all the bluebells in Britain was launched as part of a project to establish how far the native species has lost out to foreign and hybrid invaders.
Members of the public are urged to take part in the survey by reporting sightings through the museum’s website, www.nhm.ac.uk/bluebells, where there are tips on how to distinguish between the native species, the invading Spanish bluebell and hybrids.
Spanish bluebells, Hyacinthoides hispanica, were introduced more than 200 years ago and have escaped with hybrid varieties from gardens into the wild where they threaten the native species, Hyacinthoides non-scripta.
Straightforward sightings can be reported online but the website offers the facility to record extra details should people be willing to bend down and measure various parts of the plants, including petal lengths.
The survey has been organised by the museum in partnership with the Ramblers’ Association and Plantlife, www.plantlife.org, a charity working to protect plants in the wild.
Bluebells, which can turn the floor of woodlands blue, were voted Britain’s most popular flower in a poll organised by Plantlife. More than 50 per cent of the world's bluebell population is found in Britain.
Dr Jayne Manley, of the plant charity, urged people to take part in the survey by reporting all the bluebells they see both in their gardens and while walking through woods.
"We have a global responsibility to conserve it," she said. "This spring’s survey is a terrific opportunity for the public to play their part to help conserve one of the UK’s most iconic wild flowers.”
Ruth Wembridge, of the Ramblers’ Association, said: “Bluebells bring joy to walkers everywhere in springtime, bursting into life in woodlands and hedgerows.
“Now as well as enjoying the sight of bluebells in the countryside, vigilant walkers can help scientists understand how they are responding to a changing environment.
“This spring, we are urging people throughout the country to get out, join a Ramblers’ Association-led bluebell walk, complete the online survey and help save this beautiful flower.”
Details of the association's suggestions for bluebell walks can be found at www.ramblers.org.uk/walkthemes/bluebells.html.
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Posted by Lewis Smith on March 4, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post
http://timesonline.typepad.com/environment/2008/03/early-bluebells.html
Bluebells have astonished botanists by blooming in at least two parts of Britain more than a month early.
Sightings of bluebells were reported in Dorset on February 25 and in Surrey two days later, with one of the flowers thought to have been out several days earlier.
Researchers said the discovery of bluebells in flower so early in the year was unprecedented.
“We fell over backwards when we realised bluebells were in flower,” said Dr Mark Spencer, curator of the British plant collection at the Natural History Museum in London.
“They are extraordinarily early. The bluebell in Dorset showed signs of having been in bloom since February 21 which is astronomically early. February is the earliest we’ve ever known bluebells to flower.”
Deatils of the sightings, regarded as further evidence of climate change, were released as a survey to identify all the bluebells in Britain was launched as part of a project to establish how far the native species has lost out to foreign and hybrid invaders.
Members of the public are urged to take part in the survey by reporting sightings through the museum’s website, www.nhm.ac.uk/bluebells, where there are tips on how to distinguish between the native species, the invading Spanish bluebell and hybrids.
Spanish bluebells, Hyacinthoides hispanica, were introduced more than 200 years ago and have escaped with hybrid varieties from gardens into the wild where they threaten the native species, Hyacinthoides non-scripta.
Straightforward sightings can be reported online but the website offers the facility to record extra details should people be willing to bend down and measure various parts of the plants, including petal lengths.
The survey has been organised by the museum in partnership with the Ramblers’ Association and Plantlife, www.plantlife.org, a charity working to protect plants in the wild.
Bluebells, which can turn the floor of woodlands blue, were voted Britain’s most popular flower in a poll organised by Plantlife. More than 50 per cent of the world's bluebell population is found in Britain.
Dr Jayne Manley, of the plant charity, urged people to take part in the survey by reporting all the bluebells they see both in their gardens and while walking through woods.
"We have a global responsibility to conserve it," she said. "This spring’s survey is a terrific opportunity for the public to play their part to help conserve one of the UK’s most iconic wild flowers.”
Ruth Wembridge, of the Ramblers’ Association, said: “Bluebells bring joy to walkers everywhere in springtime, bursting into life in woodlands and hedgerows.
“Now as well as enjoying the sight of bluebells in the countryside, vigilant walkers can help scientists understand how they are responding to a changing environment.
“This spring, we are urging people throughout the country to get out, join a Ramblers’ Association-led bluebell walk, complete the online survey and help save this beautiful flower.”
Details of the association's suggestions for bluebell walks can be found at www.ramblers.org.uk/walkthemes/bluebells.html.
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Posted by Lewis Smith on March 4, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBack (0) | Email this post
