Biology
provided by Arkive
Although lead moss doesn't seem to obtain any benefit from growing on lead-rich soils and gravels, its tolerance of the high mineral content of a typical spoil heap probably gives it an advantage when competing for growing space. Many other plants cannot grow in such potentially toxic conditions. It also seems to prefer surfaces that have been subject to breaking up by the action of frost. These 'frost heaves' produce a knobbly surface, which appears to suit the moss. It is able to propagate itself by fragmentation, with new plants growing from small pieces of the 'mother' plant.
Conservation
provided by Arkive
Lead moss is listed as a priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP), and is included in English Nature's Species Recovery Programme. It is still unclear just how many sites in the UK have colonies of lead moss. Until this figure is known with greater accuracy, the true status of this species remains uncertain.
Description
provided by Arkive
This very rare moss can grow either as a dense mat of plants or a scattered group of individuals. It is yellowish-green in colour and its tiny glossy leaves are less than one millimetre in length.
Habitat
provided by Arkive
Lead moss is what is known as a pioneer species. This means it is one of the first species to colonise a new habitat or bare surface. As its name suggests, it is found around old lead mine spoil heaps, or on acid soils.
Range
provided by Arkive
Found only in Britain and Germany, lead moss's UK range includes North and mid Wales, the Isle of Man, western Scotland and northern and southwestern England.
Status
provided by Arkive
Classified as Near threatened in the UK, and Vulnerable in the European Red Data Book.
Threats
provided by Arkive
Many of the traditional lead mine sites where this moss grew have closed or been 'worked out' and, through the subsequent re-landscaping, the moss has disappeared. Remaining heaps are also being colonised by other plants as the sites become less toxic, and these threaten to shade out the lead moss. This moss, and others that grow on metal-rich soils are particularly threatened by the loss of old industrial land and mine workings. This is largely due to these sites being regarded as 'waste land', suitable only for re-development.
Ditrichum plumbicola
provided by wikipedia EN
Ditrichum plumbicola, also known as lead moss, is a moss species known for growing in lead rich soils.[1] It was formally described by Alan Crundwell in 1976.[2]
Description
Ditrichum plumbicola will form dense narrow dense tufts or short turfs. The moss is dark green or yellowish green in colour. The shoots are 3–8 mm tall and possess short triangular leaves, which are less than 1 mm in length and are pressed closely to the stem.[3] The species is sterile[4] and spreads via vegetative propagation and stem fragmentation.[1]
Distribution and habitat
Ditrichum plumbicola is endemic to Europe where it can be found growing in Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Isle of Man,[5] and the United Kingdom.[6][1] It has been recorded growing at elevations up to 460 metres above sea level.[1]
Ditrichum plumbicola can only be found in close proximity to lead mines where human activity has caused the surrounding soil to become contaminated with high levels of lead.[3] Sites of lead contamination are largely devoid of vascular plants,[1] which allows D. plumbicola to grow without competition due to many plants not being able to tolerate such conditions.[7] The species grows in damp acidic lead rich soils, it can grow in exposed areas however is vulnerable to drying out during drought.[3] The species cannot colonize highly calcareous lead rich soils.[1]
Threats
Ditrichum plumbicola relies on lead contamination for suitable habitat to be created. Due to the closure of many lead mining sites new lead rich substrates are no longer being created for the species to colonize.[1] Locations of older habitat naturally leach lead into the surrounding area causing the concentration of lead to decrease.[1] As sites become less toxic the habitat can then be colonized by a broader range of plant species, which shade out the moss.[7]
D. plumbicola is also threatened by human activity. The sites where the species grows are often regarded as wasteland, which are only suitable for redevelopment.[7] Sites where the moss grows are also used for the illegal dumping of waste and for recreational off road motorcycling,[5] which has a negative impact on the species.[1]
References
- license
- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
Ditrichum plumbicola: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
Ditrichum plumbicola, also known as lead moss, is a moss species known for growing in lead rich soils. It was formally described by Alan Crundwell in 1976.
- license
- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
