Population dynamics of two Scottish Ultramafic (serpentine) rarities with contrasting life histories

Abstract

Summary The paper reports demographic studies of the endemic Cerastium nigrescens and the very rare Arenaria norvegica ssp. norvegica on the Keen of Hamar ultramafic outcrop on Unst, Shetland from June 1994 to November 1996. Plants of Cerastium nigrescens showed a Deevey type II curve and mature plants had a half-life of 3.8 years. Plants of Arenaria norvegica ssp. norvegica showed a Deevey type I curve with high mortality after flowering in the second year. There was some evidence of increased mortality during droughts but this had little impact on the total population. Seed production and seedling recruitment for both species was good throughout the study period. Seed bank measurements ranged from 12–13 m2 for Cerastium nigrescens and 24–43 m-2 for Arenaria norvegica ssp. norvegica. The study showed that there was no immediate threat to the populations of the two species but because of their isolated occurrence they are susceptible to extinction and should be carefully monitored.