Petalwort
The sensitive and specialised nature of Dawlish Warren affords protection by a number of conservation designations. Falling within the Exe estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Protection Area (SPA), it is also a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) – recognised for important sand dune systems and a tiny plant called Petalwort.
A type of Liverwort plant, it is internationally protected and very easily missed as they are about 10-15 millimetres across! As the plant is so small, it is easily shaded out by taller, more dense vegetation and easily damaged by heavy boots trampling over it.
Management usually centres around keeping vegetation and rates of footfall at the right levels to help the plant grow. Want to know more about the state of this tiny survivor at the Warren?
Read more about the monitoring assessment of petalwort at Dawlish Warren here.
In 2024, Petalwort on Dawlish Warren was translocated from an area being inundated with saltwater - read more here.