Juniper
Common Name: Common Juniper
Latin Name: Juniperus communis ssp. communis
Family: Cupressaceae
More commonly known for its 'berries' as a flavouring in Gin and for cooking, Juniper is one of only three conifer species native to Britain and it is on the UK list of priority habitats for biodiversity action. In the Yorkshire Dales Juniper (Juniperus communis ssp. communis) can range from a spreading shrub to a column-like tree. This species was once widespread in the upland fringes of northern England, growing often as an understorey shrub in open woodland of Birch, Rowan, Alder, Hawthorn and Hazel. However, nationally there was a dramatic reduction in Juniper distribution up to 1960 due to a combination of factors such as changes in land management.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has made a commitment to help to conserve Juniper by implementing the Local Biodiversity Action Plan. Therefore, as well as encouraging landowners and land managers to manage juniper populations in a way that will allow natural regeneration, National Park staff have also sought permission from Natural England and landowners to collect juniper seed in 2007. The seed will now be grown by a professional tree nursery and the plants will be available for suitable new native woodland plantings in years to come.
Links:
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Juniper Local Species Action Plan (opens in new window)
Forestry Commission Juniper Information Note 2003 (opens in new window)
Graham, F., 2007. Conservation of Juniper in the Yorkshire Dales National Park in 2007. Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Conservation Research & Monitoring Reports No.5. (opens in new window)
McCartan, S. & Gosling, P., 2007. Exposed! - Predicting filled and empty seeds in juniper with X-rays. Ecotype 38 - The biodiversity and conservation newsletter of the Ecology Division. Forest Research. p.7. (opens in new window)
Websites:
UK Biodiversity Action Plan - Juniper (opens in new window)
