Natural History Wanderings

The BBC reported on the UK’s plan to restore wildflower meadows. The program which is led by Prince of Wales and three wildlife and livestock organisations, will take seed and green hay from these designated meadows to recreate new ones. To date 60 “coronation meadows” have been designated as areas to collect seed with a plan to increase the number of collection meadows to 107 by the end of the year. The Coronation meadows will serve as “donor” sites, to provide seeds for other local meadows.

Wildflower habitats have decreased by 97% since 1930’s. Example of plant loss include:

•  green-winged orchids, found in lowland hay meadows, have decreased by 50% over the last 50 years.
• Lesser butterfly orchids and greater butterfly orchids have also declined by 60% and 47% respectively.
• 67% of distinctively-patterned fritillaries, which grow in meadows, have disappeared in the last few decades

Read more at: BBC Nature – ‘Coronation meadows’ plan seeks to revive wildflower sites.