Conservationists have moved 3,400 one-flowered wintergreen plants, one of Britain's rarest wildflowers, to safety from an eroding shoreline at Culbin Forest in Moray, Scotland, where they were at risk of falling into the sea.
The rescue was carried out by Plantlife Scotland, Forestry and Land Scotland, NatureScot and a team of 18 volunteers, after 2–3 metres of land collapsed into the sea in recent years. The tiny, star-shaped wildflower is found only in pine woods in north-east Scotland and survives at just seven UK sites, only three of which support healthy populations. The species is estimated to have lost more than half its UK population in the past 50 years.
Translocating the plants involved cutting out sections of soil to preserve the networks of fungi on which the plant depends for germination and survival. In addition to photosynthesis, the one-flowered wintergreen can draw energy from fungi in woodland soils. Changes in forest management have affected the conditions those fungi need, while hotter, drier conditions caused by the climate crisis have reduced the soil moisture on which the plant relies, Plantlife said.
Iain Macdonald, a biodiversity adviser at NatureScot, said: "We don't yet know how many plants will survive at their new home in Culbin Forest, but we do know that it was only a matter of time before they would have all been lost to the sea if we'd left them where they were."
Sam Jones, senior ecological adviser at Plantlife Scotland, described the work as "groundbreaking conservation work" that will help ensure the species is not lost.
The project followed a smaller trial and received support from the Scottish government's nature restoration fund. Conservationists have also moved a small number of plants and seeds to another wood where the species has not previously been recorded, hoping to establish a new population.
Although an estimated 50,000 one-flowered wintergreen plants remain in Scotland, the number of genetically distinct individuals may be fewer than 500, as the plant spreads by producing genetically identical growth through its roots. At one site, about 100 plants represented just two distinct individuals. Macdonald added: "Any survival will be a success, and if we can continue to introduce more plants to some of the small, existing populations then we'll strengthen their ability to cope with our changing environment."
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The rescue highlights the impact of coastal erosion and climate change on rare species.
- The translocation method preserving fungal networks may offer a template for saving other plants dependent on soil fungi.
- The species' genetic vulnerability (fewer than 500 distinct individuals) raises concerns about long-term resilience.
Background
The one-flowered wintergreen (Moneses uniflora) is a rare wildflower in the UK, restricted to pine woods in north-east Scotland. Its population has declined by more than half in the past 50 years due to changes in forest management and climate-driven drying of soils. The plant relies on fungi for germination and energy, making it sensitive to soil disturbance.
What to Watch
- Survival rates of translocated plants in the coming months.
- Whether new populations establish at the secondary site where seeds and plants were introduced.
- Future funding for similar conservation translocations under the Scottish government's nature restoration fund.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
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- SupportedMacdonald said: “We don't yet know how many plants will survive at their new home in Culbin Forest, but we do know that it was only a matter of time before they would have all been lost to the sea if we'd left them where they were.”UK news | The Guardian: ““We don’t yet know how many plants will survive at their new home in Culbin Forest, but we do know that it was only a matter of time before they would have all been lost to the sea if we’d left them where they were,” said Iain Macdonald, a biodiversity adviser at NatureScot.”
- SupportedSam Jones described the work as “groundbreaking conservation work” that will help ensure the species is not lost.UK news | The Guardian: “Sam Jones, senior ecological adviser at Plantlife Scotland, said: “This type of groundbreaking conservation work will help ensure endangered species like the one-flowered wintergreen are not lost.””
- SupportedMacdonald said: “Any survival will be a success, and if we can continue to introduce more plants to some of the small, existing populations then we'll strengthen their ability to cope with our changing environment.”UK news | The Guardian: “Macdonald said: “Any survival will be a success, and if we can continue to introduce more plants to some of the small, existing populations then we’ll strengthen their ability to cope with our changing environment.””
- SupportedThousands of rare wildflowers were rescued from an eroding Scottish coast.UK news | The Guardian: “Thousands of rare wildflowers rescued from eroding Scottish coast.”
- SupportedOne-flowered wintergreen plants were relocated at Culbin Forest in Moray.UK news | The Guardian: “Conservationists rescued 3,400 one-flowered wintergreen plants at Culbin Forest in Moray”
- SupportedConservationists moved 3,400 one-flowered wintergreen plants, one of Britain's rarest wildflowers, to safety from an eroding shoreline at Culbin Forest in Moray, where they risked falling into the sea.UK news | The Guardian: “Thousands of one of Britain’s rarest wildflowers have been moved to safety from an eroding Scottish shoreline where they were at risk of falling into the sea. Conservationists rescued 3,400 one-flowered wintergreen plants at Culbin Forest in Moray”
- SupportedPlantlife Scotland, Forestry and Land Scotland, NatureScot and 18 volunteers took part in the rescue.UK news | The Guardian: “The charity worked with Forestry and Land Scotland, NatureScot and volunteers to relocate the plants”
- Partly supportedThe plant is found only in pine woods in north-east Scotland and survives at seven UK sites, only three of which have healthy populations.UK news | The Guardian: “In the UK, the tiny, star-shaped wildflower is found only in pine woods in north-east Scotland . It survives at just seven sites, only three of which support healthy populations, according to Plantlife Scotland.”
- SupportedThe species is estimated to have lost more than half its UK population in the past 50 years.UK news | The Guardian: “in an effort to protect a species estimated to have lost more than half its UK population in the past 50 years.”
- SupportedAn estimated 50,000 plants remain in Scotland, but genetically distinct individuals may number fewer than 500.UK news | The Guardian: “Although an estimated 50,000 plants remain in Scotland, they spread by producing genetically identical growth through their roots. The number of genetically distinct individuals could be fewer than 500.”
- SupportedSections of soil were cut out around the plants to preserve the fungi networks they depend on for germination and survival.UK news | The Guardian: “Volunteers cut out sections of soil around the plants to preserve the networks of fungi on which they depend for germination and survival.”
- SupportedChanges in forest management have affected the fungi's required conditions, while hotter, drier conditions linked to the climate crisis have reduced soil moisture the plant relies on.UK news | The Guardian: “Changes in forest management have affected the conditions those fungi need, while hotter, drier conditions caused by the climate crisis have reduced the soil moisture on which the plant relies, Plantlife said.”
