Eight invertebrate species listed in the Bern Appendices occur
in the UK, one of which
Helix pomatia is an ancient
introduction and has, until now, had no specific conservation
action targeted at it. Recent concerns about commercial collecting
for human consumption have led to the proposal that
H.
pomatia be partially protected under Schedule 5 of the
Wildlife and Countryside Act.
· Austropotamobius pallipes (freshwater
crayfish)
· Margaritifera margaritifera (freshwater pearl
mussel)
· Hirudo medicinalis (medicinal leech)
· Coenagrion mercuriale (Southern damselfly)
· Eurodryas aurinia (marsh fritillary)
· Lycaena dispar (large copper)
· Lucanus cervus (stag beetle)
These species were included in the original UK Biodiversity
Action Plan (UK BAP) list of priority species, created between 1995
and 1999. However, following the
review of UK BAP
priority species and habitats (PDF, 1.3Mb), completed in 2007,
Hirudo medicinalis (medicinal leech)
and
Lycaena dispar (large copper) were removed
from the priority species list. Targeted survey work has been used
to determine more acurately the distribution and viability of
populations of these species in the UK. Ecological research to aid
conservation has also been undertaken for six of the seven species;
the exception being
Hirudo medicinalis.
The Invertebrates Group of Experts meets approximately every
two years to discuss implementation of the Convention. The last
meeting was held in Cardiff in September 2003, a report of the
meeting will be available from the Bern website and
the UK report is available here.
Habitats and Species Directive
The Habitats Directive requires the establishment of a series
of high quality Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) across Europe
that will make a significant contribution to conserving the 169
habitat types and 623 species identified in Annexes I and II of the
Directive. A total of 77 Annex I habitats occur in the UK, of which
22 are priority types. 51 Annex II species have been recorded in
the UK in recent times, only one of which is a priority.
Eleven invertebrate species are listed under the
directive:
· Austropotamobius pallipes (freshwater
crayfish)
· Coenagrion mercuriale (Southern damselfly)
· Eurodryas aurinia (marsh fritillary)
· Hirudo medicinalis (medicinal leech)
· Limoniscus violaceus (violet click beetle)
· Lucanus cervus (stag beetle)
· Margaritifera margaritifera (freshwater pearl
mussel)
· Vertigo angustior (narrow-mouthed whorl snail)
· Vertigo genesii (round-mouthed whorl snail)
· Vertigo geyeri (Geyer's whorl snail)
· Vertigo moulinsiana (Desmoulin`s whorl snail)
Convention on Biodiversity