Rare winter plant gets a boost after new sub-site is discovered
The three-lobed water crowfoot, one of Wales’ rarest winter plants has enjoyed an excellent season at one of its key sites on Gower, Swansea leading to a brand new sub-site to act as a home for the species.
Local farmer and conservationist Emma Douglas discovered the new site while out horse riding and the presence of the rare species was later confirmed by Natural Resources Wales (NRW).
The three-lobed water crowfoot is a target species of Natur am Byth, a programme dedicated to the protection and recovery of 67 of Wales most at risk flora and fauna.
Swansea Bay – Coasts, Commons & Communities, a project within the programme, has been monitoring the species and managing it’s habitats on Gower with Plantlife Cymru and Buglife Cymru since the programmes start in summer 2023.
A relative of the common buttercup, the species lives on the margins of ponds and winter scrapes, producing tiny white flowers from December-March. It is found at only a handful of sites in Wales, including Gower, Pembrokeshire and Caernarfonshire.
This uncommon plant relies on very clean water sources to thrive and it’s seeds piggyback on the hooves of grazing livestock in order to spread. But with modern changes to livestock grazing and lower water quality levels, the species has seen a steep decline in recent years.
Steve Dixon, Project Delivery Officer at Buglife Cymru, said:
“Discovering a new sub-site like this is not only an exciting find in terms of the area’s biodiversity, but a living example of how our habitat management work is helping the species recover.
“The Swansea Bay project covers 13 target species that are all at risk of extinction in Wales and each one needs something different to ensure its survival.
“But thanks to the tireless efforts and expertise of our officers and our partners, we’re able to safeguard these Welsh rarities and ensure they’re here now and in the future.”
Robbie Blackhall-Miles, Project Delivery Officer at Plantlife Cymru, said:
“Three lobed water crowfoot is red listed as ‘Vulnerable to extinction’ on the latest update of the UK’s Red List of threatened plants. Every single population of this species is valuable so to find a new one is very special indeed.
“However, for me, the thing that makes this species incredible is that to look after it properly it is important that both the farming community and the conservation sector work together to deliver the right habitat and that is exactly what is happening on the Gower for this species.”
Ali Probert, Operations Manager National Trust Cymru, who care for two of the remaining sites on Gower that already support populations of the rare species , said:
"We’re delighted to be playing a part in safeguarding the future of Three‑lobed water crowfoot on Gower.
“The discovery of a new sub‑site shows just how valuable this collaborative survey work is, and we’re committed to continuing annual monitoring at the sites we manage.
“Working together with partners and local communities gives this rare species the best possible chance to recover and thrive"
Monitoring and management of the existing sites, as well as the new subsite, will continue with the help of the projects partners, Plantlife Cymru, Buglife Cymru and National Trust Cymru.