Liparis loeselii on sand dunes

This is a species which is most prolific in the early stages in dune slack development. Its survival depends on active, dynamic dunes where new slacks are created as blow outs occur. The species may survive in areas where grazing pressure or winter flooding are sufficient to slow down the rate of succession. The species is especially vulnerable where dune slack vegetation becomes overgrown following the reduction is grazing pressure as has happened at Kenfig Dunes. Here the impact on the populations of fen orchid Liparis loeselii have been studied (Jones & Etherington 1989) and the conservation implications explored.

References

Jones, P.S. & Etherington, J.R. 1989. Ecological and physiological studies of sand dune slack vegetation, Kenfig pool and dunes Local Nature Reserve, Mid-Glamorgan, Wales, UK. In: Perspectives in Coastal Dune Management, eds.van der Meulen, F., Jungerius, P.D. & Visser, J.H.SPB Academic Publishing bv, The Hague, 297-303.