The latest figures from the Common Plant Survey, which has been conducted annually by volunteers since 2000, have revealed that of 536 randomly selected square-kilometre sites, 121 contain none of the UK’s 65 most common plant species.

Favourites such as the poppy, primrose and foxglove are all showing signs of decline, with the sites most often losing out classified as ‘arable and horticultural’, demonstrating the effect intensive agriculture is having on biodiversity. Wetland regions, where the effects of agriculture can be most pronounced, are also showing a decline in plant diversity.

‘Data from Plantlife’s Common Plants Survey appear to show a trend towards the “McDonald’s-isation” of the countryside – where a few common species such as nettles and cleavers seem to be increasing at the expense of more delicate species,’ said Sophie Thomas, people and plants officer at Plantlife. ‘The data seem to support other evidence pointing to the eutrophication of our countryside: species that have increased the most are also those that are well-suited to enriched soils, while those species that have lost out, such as bird’s foot trefoil, are suited to less nutrient-rich soils.’

Plantlife is calling for more volunteers to take part in its annual survey of UK plantlife to build up a more long-term picture of the health of Britain’s wild plants, as clear trends in the plant world are often slow to emerge.

For further information, visit www.plantlife.org.uk

June 2008