Scottish primrose in decline
14 December 2009
A tiny primrose that grows in just three locations in Scotland has pulled back to an even smaller area of natural habitat in the face of changing grazing practices, according to a survey from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).
Primula scotica is just 5cm tall, and is found only in Caithness, Sutherland and the Orkney Islands growing in short, close-cropped grassland on cliff tops. Some colonies are very large, with thousands of plants, and thriving: in fact, the survey found 19 new colonies had been established. But almost 40 colonies further south of Wick had disappeared, believed swamped by more vigorous plants after previously grazed areas on clifftops were fenced off and allowed to become overgrown.
“The key to its success, or failure, is grazing in which grass is kept tightly cropped,” says Sally Ward, who managed the survey. “The fortunes of Primula scotica rise and fall with livestock numbers.”
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