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Submission to the Scrutiny Panel from Societe Jersiaise Botany Section.
Jersey has a rich botanical flora that is monitored and recorded by members of the Botany Section. Having a diverse floral mix in a habitat leads to a healthy habitat which in turn supports a greater number of birds, amphibians, invertebrates and other fauna. The habitats where these biodiverse contitions are found are under huge pressure from human development. The plants to be protected under the Wildlife Law are rare and significant. Jersey has signed up to the Conservation of Biological Diversity so every effort needs to be made to protect rare plants. Protected plants require well maintained habitats which in turn leads to greater biodiversity.
To answer concerns by JFU and RJA & H in their submission, viz:
- There are instances where populations of wild plants have become established within a short period of time on land left fallow for the purposes of good agricultural practice, does this preclude their future cultivation?
- The use of wild flower seed mixes planted for the benefit of wildlife could be affected by concerns that the subsequent establishment of wild plant populations, on that land or neighbouring land, might lead to the inability to undertake cultivation
Point 1
The wildflowers that emerge after a field is left fallow are agricultural weeds that thrive in agricultural conditions where land is frequently disturbed. The seed bed is turned over and the seed bought to the surface has a chance to germinate, flower and set seed. Continuing cultivation is of benfit to the wildflowers.
Point 2
The seed provided by wildflower seed mixes would never include plants that would be considered as valuable and botanists would not wish to protect them. They are introduced plants.
Greater protection of our wildlife is urgently needed. At present developments are taking place that damage our wildlife and adequate protection is not in place to deter developers.
Anne Haden
Secretary Botany Section Societe Jersiaise