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BBS SURVEY OF THE BRYOPHYTES OF ARABLE LAND (SBAL), 2002-2005
FIRST YEAR REPORT
The first year’s fieldwork
for this new BBS survey has now been completed, and with most of the results
now in we can certainly say that it has got off to a good start. This
is a brief report on progress so far, with the dual aim of thanking those
who are already taking part in the scheme and encouraging other members
to volunteer.
SBAL – a brief recap
The Society’s survey of the bryophytes of arable land (SBAL) was outlined by Ron Porley (2002) in the July Bulletin. The aim is to improve our knowledge of this interesting but very neglected habitat. Recorders are asked to survey arable fields by collecting simple data on location, crops, soils and the bryophytes themselves onto a standard recording card.
The survey will continue until 1 May 2005.
Progress 2002-3
SBAL was launched at a special meeting at Preston Montford in November 2002. A full report of that meeting appeared in the last Bulletin (Hill, 2003). The meeting was successful in recruiting recorders for the project, and by 28 May 2003 we have received records from 210 fields in 113 10-km squares and 34 vice-counties (see map). About 50 recorders have taken part in the survey so far (excluding those who have joined in only at BBS meetings). We initially thought that we might get data from 500 fields during the course of the survey, but with over 200 surveyed after the first of the three winters, we are now hoping we might do rather better than this.
We do not want to analyse the results until all the records are in. However, many recorders have been pleasantly surprised to find that at least some of their ‘ordinary’ fields have been relatively species-rich, and there have already been new vice-county records for such rarities (or apparent rarities) as Didymodon tomaculosus, Fossombronia caespitiformis and Phaeoceros carolinianus. There have of course also been new v.c. records of commoner species, notably for the delightful but clearly under-recorded tuberous species Bryum violaceum.
Recording for the scheme - and keeping in touch
We are keen to recruit new recorders. So far most fields have been surveyed by bryologists who were at the introductory meeting at Preston Montford, and we would encourage others who were unable to get to that to join the scheme. All those wishing to take part should obtain a copy of the Introductory Pack (from Gill Stevens) or consult the instructions on the scheme’s website. If you can receive e-mail it is useful to register your interest with Mark Hill, as we can then send you relevant mailings. The ‘random’ tetrads which are still unadopted can be seen in the table.
The progress of the scheme can be followed on the website, which includes coverage & maps which are updated monthly during the winter. As well as more serious matters, an ‘anecdotal’ section of the site has been stated to take accounts by recorders of how they are getting.
An SBAL day in Kent – 19 October 2003
We are holding an informal meeting in Kent on 19 October, to introduce the scheme to members in the S.E. England and start recording in this county. Kent has a special significance as it is the only area of Britain where there has been a detailed, systematic survey of arable bryophytes – carried out by Trudy side in the 1970s. We would welcome the help of experienced SBAL recorders, but the day also provides an opportunity for new recorders to learn about the survey. Contact Mark Hill for details.
Addresses
SBAL website: http://www.jonathan.sleath.btinternet.co.uk/SBAL/intro.htm
The SBAL steering committee comprises:
Mark Hill, CEH Monks Wood, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon,
Cambs. PE28 2LS (moh@ceh.ac.uk)
Ron Porley, English Nature, Foxhold House, Crookham Common, Thatcham,
RG19 8EL (ron.porley@english-nature.org.uk)
Chris Preston, CEH Monks Wood, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon, Cambs. PE28
2LS (cdpr@ceh.ac.uk)
Jonathan Sleath, The Villa, Kingstone, Hereford, HR2 9ET (jonathan.sleath@btinternet.com)
Gill Stevens, Department of Botany, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road,
South Kensington, London SW7 5BD (G.Stevens@nhm.ac.uk)
References
Hill, M. 2003. Bryological workshop
2002 (arable bryophytes), Preston Montford Field Centre. Bulletin
of the British Bryological Society 80: 27-29.
Porley, R. 2002. Recording matters 22. Bulletin of
the British Bryological Society 79: 33-35.
Chris Preston (address above) May 2003