Rare starved wood-sedge rescued in Surrey
Efforts are underway to protect one of the UK's rarest plants.
Conservationists are taking action to safeguard the critically endangered starved wood-sedge, a rare plant found at only two native sites in the UK, including Surrey.
The plant, typically found on a woodland bank, had shifted to a public footpath in its Somerset location, putting it at risk of being trampled. The Species Recovery Trust, which has been caring for the starved wood-sedge for over two decades, acted to prevent further harm to its Somerset population.
Dominic Price, director of the Species Recovery Trust, explained:
"In the last few years the plants have unfortunately, and rather catastrophically, decided to move off the bankside habitat we have maintained for them, and started growing directly on a public footpath.
"This has put them directly in harm's way from being trampled."
The trust removed the plants from the Somerset site and transferred them to a specialist nursery, where they can be propagated and grown into robust, fully developed plants. Plans are in place to use these propagated specimens to bolster the species at its native sites, including Surrey.
Starved wood-sedge is a grass-like plant that thrives in wetland habitats such as bogs, fens, swamps, and damp woodland edges. While its flowers, featuring both male and female blooms, are small and understated, they attract insect pollinators and contribute to the ecosystem. Conservationists stress the plant's importance, as it provides habitat for various wildlife and helps regulate water flow and nutrient recycling in wetlands.
The species has faced challenges due to the loss and fragmentation of its habitat, leaving it confined to locations in Surrey and Somerset, as well as a few reintroduction sites.
The rescue operation was supported by the Mendip Hills National Landscape team, which is focused on promoting nature recovery.
Jim Hardcastle, manager of the Mendip Hills National Landscape, said:
"Nature recovery is key to our work these days so it's great that we can help the Species Recovery Trust in their important work.
"At first glance this is quite an unassuming grass that many people will have walked past for years but it's still an important part of the ecosystem and deserving of our attention and support."
The Species Recovery Trust aims to remove 50 UK species from the brink of extinction by 2050. In addition to the starved wood-sedge, the trust is working on initiatives for other endangered plants including field gentians, Welsh groundsel, and marsh clubmoss, as well as insects such as the New Forest cicada and green tiger beetle.