CORRESPONDING SOCIETIES 45* 



the botany of the South Haven Peninsula, Dorset, indicates an interesting 

 combination in a limited area of stable and unstable conditions. A 

 comparatively recent accumulation of sand-ridges on the shore-line 

 interfering with drainage from the immediate hinterland has produced 

 a complex mosaic of successional unstable vegetation-states the record of 

 which over a period of years will form an interesting study. The interest 

 in such cases lies in the conservation of a changing not of an existing 

 flora. 



Advocates of wild plant conservation may find themselves in conflict 

 with those who, with the best intentions, seek to remedy the destructive 

 effects of man's action or even to improve upon Nature. I see no objection 

 to re-establishing a species in an area where it has been destroyed as the 

 result of human action if it is done with certain precautions and if an accurate 

 record is kept. But the utmost care must be taken to ensure that the form 

 re-introduced is the same as that which it replaces. But the introduction 

 of species in presumably suitable places, but where they do not grow now 

 and have never been known to grow, that is, attempting to improve upon 

 Nature or perhaps with a view to amenities, is to be deprecated. Even if a 

 record be kept it is introducing a strange element into a natural community 

 the effect of which is uncertain. If no record is kept and the plant 

 survives it is making trouble for future students of the flora and its dis- 

 tribution. Species are from time to time found in new localities, the 

 Lizard Orchid, for instance, seems to be increasing its area of distribution 

 in south-east England, and the interest of the study of its distribution 

 would be ruined if well-meaning folk introduced it successfully in 

 presumably suitable areas. 



A question arises as to the introduction of species in new areas for 

 ecological experiment which may give interesting scientific results. Such 

 investigations should be confined to very definite areas and should be 

 carefully controlled and recorded. 



Generally speaking introduction by sowing of seed is to be deprecated. 

 It is largely a waste of seed ; in most cases the seeds either do not germinate 

 or if they do the plants cannot compete with the existing flora. Also it 

 may be some years before the plant sown, even if it survives, becomes a 

 noticeable feature of the flora, perhaps not until the original interest in 

 the locality has lapsed. On the other hand the newcomer might be too 

 successful and displace the original flora, or even develop into a nuisance. 

 Moreover plants which delight our eyes may be anathema to the farmer. 

 Indiscriminate broadcast scattering of seed is a foolish practice with 

 nothing to recommend it. 



I need not warn members of scientific societies of the danger or in- 

 advisability of introducing alien plants into a flora. It is difficult enough 

 already to decide sometimes whether a plant is native or alien and we 

 would not add to the difficulty for those who come after us. To introduce, 

 for instance, alien alpines on a British mountain is unscientific and 

 thoroughly reprehensible. 



I have tried to make out a case for the preservation of our native flora. 

 How can this best be done ? Various societies and individuals have 

 worked and are working to this end. Before the War a Plant Protection 

 Section of the Selborne Society started active propaganda and a bill was 



