Species stories: Biodiversity on our campus

Glasgow University campus is home to many amazing species of animals, plants and fungi which are important for local biodiversity. In this storymap we introduce some of these species, telling stories about their role in the communities, their cultural importance and how they have been changing over time.

Common Bluebell – Hyacinthoides non-scripta

Native to the British Isles and select parts of Western Europe, bluebells stand as denizens of ancient woodland environments. These unmistakable bell-shaped perennial herbs spend the majority of time underground as bulbs for most of the year, only emerging as vividly-hued flowers from April onward. They are often seen to cover whole grounds of woodlands, forming an enchanting blue-purple carpet of flowers. Butterflies, bees and hoverflies reap the nectar of bluebells, as they flower earlier than other plants.

Bluebells have carved a place for themselves as both a common and iconic plant within the UK, even being voted as a favorite. However, their popularity comes with a tale of concern. Bluebells face the threat of woodland habitat loss and the risk of hybridization with non-native counterparts- the Spanish bluebell. Furthermore, being slow growers (at least 5 years for a seed to develop into a bulb), bluebells can take years to recover from being trampled. They are therefore safeguarded under the Countryside and Wildlife Act, making it illegal to uproot and sell their bulbs. The Act's Schedule 8 further prohibits trading wild bluebell bulbs and seeds, designed to curb unscrupulous bulb collectors supplying garden centers.

Their history is steeped in practical use and folklore. In, Elizabethan times bulbs were transformed into glue for book binding, stiffening of collars, and fletching arrows. In floriography, they symbolized humility and constancy. In folklore, bluebells are believed to be intricately tied to fairy enchantments.

This plant is used alongside other indicators as a clue that a site is an ancient woodland. Meaning that if you sees these spectacular plants across our University campuses, you might have stumbled on special habitat that is over 400 years old!

Greater Knapweed – Centaurea scabiosa

Native to Europe, the Greater Knapweed stands as a vibrant emblem of our landscapes. Its ragged-edged purple flowers burst into bloom across sunny chalk grasslands, clifftops, and woodland rides, bringing a radiant burst of colour to native habitats. This showy flower isn't just easy on the eyes – it's a bona fide butterfly magnet. Common blues, Marbled whites, and Meadow browns flock to its nectar-rich blooms, turning them into a bustling hub of winged activity.

Throughout history, it has held a place in traditional medicine. Its roots and seeds are known for their diaphoretic, diuretic, tonic, and vulnerary properties. In fact, the greater knapweed played a vital role as a key ingredient in the Medieval "salve," an ointment famed for healing wounds and treating skin infections.

Today, this storied plant faces a modern challenge. Its population has dwindled considerably to less than 25% in Scotland, earning a place on the Scottish Biodiversity List with a call for conservation action. This common but remarkable flower reminds us of the delicate balance between nature's gifts and our responsibility to protect them. Venture to Garscube, and you'll discover this beauty gracing the newly sown wildflower Green roof atop the small animal hospital.

As seen at Cochno Farm and Research Centre…

Ancient woodland - british habitats - woodland trust. Woodland Trust. (n.d.-a). https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/habitats/ancient-woodland/?ref=wherefrom 

Ash. Scotlink. (2022a, July 4). https://www.scotlink.org/species/ash/#:~:text=Ash%20is%20one%20of%20our,up%20to%20400%20years%20old. 

Bluebell (hyacinthoides non-scripta) - woodland trust. Woodland Trust. (n.d.-b). https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/plants/wild-flowers/bluebell/ 

Common crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) - woodland trust. Woodland Trust. (n.d.-c). https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/animals/birds/common-crossbill/ 

Common toad. Scotlink. (2022b, August 22). https://www.scotlink.org/species/common-toad/ 

Common toad. The Wildlife Trusts. (n.d.-a). https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/amphibians/common-toad 

Crossbill Bird facts: Loxia Curvirostra. The RSPB. (n.d.). https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/crossbill/ 

Emperor Moth . (n.d.). Tpittaway. Retrieved from https://tpittaway.tripod.com/silk/s_pav.htm . 

Emperor moth. The Wildlife Trusts. (n.d.-b). https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/invertebrates/moths/emperor-moth 

Fraser, P. (n.d.). Rhododendron control. Forestry and Land Scotland. https://forestryandland.gov.scot/what-we-do/biodiversity-and-conservation/habitat-conservation/woodland/rhododendron 

Fraxinus Excelsior. Fraxinus excelsior - EUFORGEN European forest genetic resources programme. (n.d.). https://www.euforgen.org/species/fraxinus-excelsior/ 

Greater Knapweed. The Wildlife Trusts. (n.d.-c). https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/wildflowers/greater-knapweed 

Ornithology, B. T. for. (2023, March 31). Schedule 1 and other protected birds. BTO. https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/bird-ringing-scheme/taking-part/protected-birds 

Peregrine falcon: Species profilescottish wildlife trust |. Scottish Wildlife Trust. (2021, March 5). https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/species/peregrine-falcon/ 

Petrovan, S. O., & Schmidt, B. R. (2016). Volunteer Conservation Action Data reveals large-scale and long-term negative population trends of a widespread amphibian, the common toad (bufo bufo). PLOS ONE, 11(10). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0161943 

The problem with Rhododendron ponticum. National Trust for Scotland. (n.d.). https://www.nts.org.uk/stories/problem-rhododendron-ponticum-garden-guide 

Protected species: Amphibians and reptiles. NatureScot. (n.d.). https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/protected-areas-and-species/protected-species/protected-species-z-guide/protected-species-amphibians-and-reptiles 

Rhododendron in the rainforest - woodland trust. Woodland Trust. (n.d.-d). https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/publications/2021/10/rhododendron-in-the-rainforest/