Impacts of ash dieback Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (Chalara) on priority lichens and potential mitigation options.
Abstract
This report undertakes a vulnerability assessment of Section 41 (Natural Environmentand Rural Communities Act 2006) lichen species with varying dependencies on Ash; and identify and evaluate the scope and potential approaches to Ash Dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) mitigation for these species. In addition, the report also addresses a number of Section 41 actions around mitigating Ash Dieback; trialling the translocation of lichen; and assessing ecological data and mitigation options for Cryptolechia carneolutea which was already considered to be at high risk from Ash Dieback. Five case studies are presented which discuss the application of these approaches to specific sites and issues. These are Gowbarrow/Glencoyne Park in Cumbria, Bovey Valley in Devon, Horner in Somerset, Dunsland Park in Devon and Arlington Court in Devon.