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https://www.positive.news/society/wildflower-meadows-first-bloom-wows-in-north-devon/>
"Newly created rare wildflower meadows have bloomed for the first time this
summer.
Swathes of white oxeye daisies, bird’s-foot trefoil and bright blue viper’s
bugloss have flowered along with meadow grasses, filling an area the size of
197 football pitches – 90 hectares. The fields, on the north Devon coast in
England, have taken two years to establish from 1.3 tons seeds, as part of the
National Trust’s largest ever wildflower grassland project.
Acting as wildflower seed donor sites, throughout the summer rangers have been
joined by volunteers to collect seeds either with a brush harvester, seed
vacuum or by hand. Every hectare of donor site harvested will provide enough
seed to sow two more hectares of meadows, say organisers, allowing the ‘scaling
up’ of grassland creation across the south-west.
Species-rich grasslands are rare, with only 1% of flower-filled meadows
remaining in the UK.
“Grasslands can take a long time to establish, some wildflower species can take
up to seven years whilst others like Oxeye Daisy can become dominant quicker,”
said project co-ordinator Joshua Day.
“The sense of anticipation through the last two winters has been high, watching
and waiting for the first successful seedlings to emerge.”
Initial monitoring has shown an increase of wildflower coverage from just 2% to
40% in just two years, said Day, and ‘fundamental’ meadow species such as,
yarrow, red Clover, common sorrel and yellow rattle have already been recorded.
“This first full bloom is an indication of success for the future of species
rich grasslands here in Devon, returning a diverse range of wildflowers to the
countryside which will, in turn, benefit nature and ourselves,” he said.
That flower power appears to be giving other forms of nature a boost along the
coast, helping wildlife that already lives there, as well as attracting new
species. Sightings of pollinators such as the brown banded carder bee and
meadow brown and common blue butterflies are increasing, as the specific plants
that they rely on to survive, bloom and grow."
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
