Orchids

Associated Species Action Plans Black redstart Dingy skipper Little ringed plover Skylark Snipe Wall brown butterfly Associated Habitat action plans Grassland (all types) Urban 'wasteland' Woodland

1.1 Orchids (terrestrial native members of the family Orchidaceae) are of nature conservation value since: they are generally indicators of species-richness in vegetation. This is because they are stress-tolerators controlled by a range of environmental stress gradients; they also establish very slowly from minute seed. They are absent from frequently disturbed habitats. They are also absent from rich soil habitats which are populated by resource-commandeering competitive species and tend to be species-poor habitats many species are sufficiently scarce to be valued as rarities they have intrinsic aesthetic appeal, being mostly widely recognised even by non-conservationists 1.2 Nine species and two hybrids have been recorded in recent years in Birmingham and the Black Country (B&BC): Common spotted-orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii) is a plant of old, often damp grassland, but also appears in quarries, road verges and other secondary but species-rich habitats. It seems to be just as common in B&BC as in surrounding rural areas, being recorded (1999) from c 5% of 1km squares. Southern marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa) is a plant of similar but still damper habitats. It often occurs with D. fuchsii and D. fuchsii x praetermissa. It is almost as common as D. fuchsii in B&BC, despite the fact that it tends to be much scarcer in the surrounding, more rural areas and counties. Northern marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella) and early marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata) are also recorded from marshy sites in Walsall, and heath spotted-orchid (Dactylorhiza maculata) which is fairly common in damp heath and acid grassland in surrounding elevated areas, has a few records in B&BC. The following two orchids of shade are generally found in ancient woodland: Early-purple orchid (Orchis mascula) is also known from species-rich grassland and secondary habitats such as canal sides and railway embankments. Broad-leaved helleborine (Epipactis helleborine) is also found in secondary woodland developing on derelict land. Bee orchid (Ophrys apifera) is perhaps mainly a plant of highly calcareous, fairly bare secondary habitats and occurs in quarries, on limestone spoil, on pulverised fuel ash dumps, and other disturbed, relatively bare base-rich habitats. It is recorded (1999) at 5 sites in the northern half of B&BC, mostly on limestone spoil, but also once at an old, contaminated gasworks site. A single specimen of another orchid characteristic of limestone quarries, pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis) has been recorded on steel spoil in B&BC.

2.1 Site disturbance and development

Many orchid sites are liable to be lost to development, since they are often post-industrial, and may even be contaminated. Others, such as tiny areas of road verge or embankment, are easily massively damaged by tipping or vehicle access. In many cases some damage and disturbance may actually counteract the processes of succession discussed below, but often the damage is overwhelming.

2.2 Natural succession

Equally frequently, the stressed habitat conditions which have led to the development of an orchid population are ameliorated by the natural processes of succession: the soil becomes enriched by legumes, impeded drainage layers break down under the activities of worms and tree planters, shrubs and trees eventually close canopy.

2.3 Inappropriate site management

The normal counterpoise to succession is management, and orchid populations can often be enhanced by scrub removal, or grazing or cutting, but management of the damp or wet habitats typical of many orchid populations is still unpredictable in effect and should proceed with caution and after a full assessment of the site itself and with a reliable system of monitoring.

2.4 Lack of a "biological capital" approach

Since many orchid sites are likely to be destroyed, orchid numbers in an area may fluctuate wildly and some lower threshold may be crossed which makes recovery impossible. Perhaps the objective for an area such as a Borough ought to be to maintain an overall constant number of healthy populations of a particular species via monitoring and habitat creation.

2.5 Hybridisation

Because of hybridisation each population is essentially unique. There have been some significant studies of the nature of some hybridised B&BC populations which ought to be extended, and where a population must be destroyed at least its morphological variation should be recorded.

3.1 Legal status

1. None of the B&BC species have any national or international legal status, except the general protection from uprooting without the owners permission in the Wildlife and Countryside Act. None of the B&BC species known from urban sites have Red Data Book or Scarce Plant status.
2. Generally secondary, post-industrial sites are difficult to make conform to SSSI criteria, but several important orchid populations are included within SSSIs, such as a population of Dactylorhiza praetermissa at Fens Pools SSSI, and an important Dactylorhiza complex at Stubbers Green SSSI, although at the latter site as a result of lack of management natural succession may have already seriously damaged the orchid diversity.
3. A large number of LNRs, SINC sites and SLINC sites protect significant orchid populations, at least from development.

3.2 Management, research and guidance

1. Current recording for the Birmingham and Black Country Flora continues to allow the distribution, and to some extent the abundance of orchids in B&BC to be assessed more accurately.
2. Site management in many LNRs and other B&BC sites is having significant positive effects on population sizes in particular places. A significant increase in the quality and distribution of knowledge about the management of orchid populations in B&BC is needed. Case histories and examples of management should be brought together, and where necessary investigations funded, in order to produce an academically and practically sound set of guidelines for management and monitoring, in the form of a written manual, possible via EcoRecord.
3. Certain habitat creation techniques are proving successful with some orchids. In Wolverhampton Dactylorhiza fuchsii, D. praetermissa, Anacamptis pyramidalis, green-winged orchid (Orchis morio) and common twaybalde orchid (Listera ovata) have all been generated as flowering plants, at least short term, from strewn hay.
4. The production of a suitable colur publication would significantly increase public awareness and understanding of the way these special plants can often grow in urban sites, and increase the prestige of these often unappreciated sites.

ACTION	Potential Deliverers		YEARS						Meets Objective No.
	Lead	Partner	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2011
5.1 Policy and legislation
Seek the inclusion of effective measures for species protection in the preparation of UDPs and other policy documents	LAs	EN, WT	As UDPs and other policy documents are prepared						3
Seek the inclusion of effective measures for species protection in the preparation of Local Environment Agency Plans and other policy documents	EA	EN, WT	As LEAPs and other policy documents are prepared						3
5.2 Site/species management and protection
Collect records of orchid populations and circulate to Planning and Leisure Services Department within local authorities	WT	LA, ER							1,3
Establish and maintain a detailed database of orchid populations, case histories and examples of management	ER	EN, WT							1,2
5.4 Advisory
Publish guidelines for management and monitoring of orchid populations	ER, EN	WT							2
5.5 Future research
Fund and undertake research investigations into factors controlling orchid population survival and keep up-to-date with best practice	EN, Educ	WT							1
5.5 Communications and publicity
Publish publicity booklet for the public on orchids on urban sites	ER, WT	EN							4
5.7 Links to other action plans
Urban 'wasteland', grassland (all types)

This Biodiversity Action Plan will be implemented over 10 years with a first review after 5 years. A group will be set up to co-ordinate implementation and to report to the Biodiversity Steering Group. This group will meet at a minimum on a yearly basis.

Review will be carried out in conjunction with related Habitat and Species Action Plans as appropriate and will consist of measuring achievement of targets. The group will, with the support of the Steering Group, develop and implement appropriate monitoring methods which will inform the review process.

The Action Plan will be revised and updated in the light of review results and any relevant changes in circumstances and/or additional information which becomes available during the review period.

In line with national guidance, the Steering Group will report to the UK Steering Group.

Biodiversity Action Plan for Birmingham and the Black Country © 2000

Printing of this publication for educational purposes is permitted, provided that copies are not made or distributed for commercial gain, and the title of the publication and its date appear. To copy otherwise, or to republish, requires specific permission from the Steering Group.