Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), Cowberry (V. vitis-idaea), Cranberry (V. oxycoccus) and Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum)

Associated Species Action Plans Green hairstreak Associated Habitat action plans Lowland Heathland Woodland Lowland dry acid grassland

This plan covers a group of three species belonging to the heath family - Ericaceae, and one species belonging to the crowberry family - Empetraceae. They are generally distributed to the north and west of Great Britain and can be located on acidic, peaty substrates associated with heathland and acidic woodland. Within Birmingham and Black Country they have a restricted distribution centred around the heathlands and ancient semi-natural acidic woodlands to the north and east of the region with some records of bilberry along the southern fringe of the region. Bilberry (V. myrtillus) - the most widely distributed member of this suite of species within the region. It is associated with well managed lowland heathland where it can form extensive patches amongst heather (Calluna vulgaris) and bell heather (Erica cinerea). It can also be found forming part of the sub-shrub layer in acidic ancient semi-natural woodland. Cowberry (V. vitis-idaea) - this species has a more restricted distribution within the region. It can be found on well managed lowland heathland in similar situations as bilberry. Crowberry (E. nigrum) - this species has a similar distribution to cowberry, but is very restricted within the sites that it is found. This is generally a species of upland moors found in the west and north of Great Britain and within the Birmingham and Black Country region it is at its southern limit. It has only been recorded for two sites - Brownhills Common in Walsall and Sutton Park NNR (pre 1900) in Birmingham, but it has not been recently recorded. It could occur on other heathland sites within the region, but this has not been confirmed as yet. Cranberry (V. oxycoccus) - this species is very restricted within the region. It can be located on areas of wet peat associated with Sphagnum mosses and plants of acidic bogs. It has only been found within one site, Sutton Park NNR. This species also occurs to the north of the region, on Chasewater Heaths SSSI. Where bilberry and cowberry co-exist on a site, they can hybridise to form the hybrid bilberry (Vaccinium x intermedium). This hybrid occurs frequently on the heathlands to the north of the region.

The current factors affecting Vaccinium species are:

• Lack of appropriate habitat management.
• Drainage of wet heaths and bogs.
• Nutrient enrichment, especially of bogs.
• Excessive public pressure for recreational activities on sensitive sites.

3.1 Legal status

There are no specific statutory powers to protect these species. They are covered under the general clauses for species protection within the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, in relation to the disturbance and/or removal of species without the consent of the landowner.

This suite of species generally occur on sites that are protected under statutory and non-statutory clauses, that is NNR, SSSI and SINC.

3.2 Management, research and guidance

Very little is known concerning the specific requirements of this suite of species. Generally the habitat in which they are found is managed according to the habitat requirements as opposed to the individual species requirements.

Successful work has been carried out by Cannock Chase District Council on the propagation and reintroduction of bilberry and cowberry on the Hendesford Hills, but these techniques have not, as yet, been employed within the Birmingham and Black Country region.

The Botanical Society for the British Isles Flora 2000 Project and the Birmingham and Black Country Flora Project to develop an Atlas of Flora in the area, are both relevant.

There is an exchange of information on management practices and guidelines for habitat restoration through the Staffordshire and West Midlands Heathland Partnership.

Further work is required on assessing the suitability of existing habitats for the maintenance/re-introduction of these species, especially with regard to cranberry and crowberry which are in danger of becoming extinct within the region.

ACTION	Potential Deliverers		YEARS							Meets Objective No.
	Lead	Partner	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2011
5.1 Policy and legislation
Seek the inclusion of effective measures which protect Vaccinium species and their habitats in the preparation of Unitary Development Plans and/ or other policy documents	EN, LAs	WT, Univs.	As UDPs and other policy documents are prepared							1
5.2 Site/species management and protection
Assess suitability of existing habitats	WT	EN, LAs, HP, Univs.								2
5.3 Advisory
Produce specific management and best practice guidelines for Vaccinium species	WT, EN	LAs, Univs., HP								3
5.4 Future research and monitoring
Carry out further research on the autecology of these species in relation to the Birmingham and Black Country region										2
Record all work concerning Vaccinium species, and make records accessible to interested groups throughout the region	ER	Univs., LAs, HP, EN								2
5.5 Communications and publicity
Maintain links with the Staffordshire and West Midlands Heathland Partnership	WT, EN	LAs, HP								3
5.6 Links to other action plans
Lowland heathland; woodland

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 Action Plan Steering Group. This group will meet at a minimum on a yearly basis.

Continuation with the involvement of the Staffordshire and West Midlands Heathland Partnership will be useful as an existing forum to exchange views and best practice guidelines for this suite of species.

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 Biodiversity Steering Group.

EcoRecord, (1999) Distribution Maps for Selected Heathland Plants EcoRecord. Birmingham

Fowkes, H. Coxhead, P. (1991) A Natural History of Sutton Park: Part 1 The Vascular Plants Sutton Coldfield Natural History Society

Perring, F.H., Walters, S.M. (eds). (1990) Atlas of the British Flora, 3rd Edition Botanical Society of the British Isles, Oundle, Redwood Press Limited, Melksham, Wiltshire, England

Rodwell, J.S. (ed), (1991) British Plant Communities, Vol.1 Woodlands and Scrub Cambridge University Press

Rodwell, J.S. (ed), (1991) British Plant Communities, Vol.2 Mires and Heaths Cambridge University Press

Stace, C. (1991) New Flora of the British Isles Cambridge University Press

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.