Biodiversity
Local Habitat and Species Action Plans
The Species Action Plans|
Stag beetles
Our aims
- Investigate current populations of the stag beetle in Barking and Dagenham
- To use the stag beetle as a flagship species for the promotion of deadwood invertebrates in general
Introduction
- The stag beetle action plan was chosen to provide information and awareness on invertebrates. The stag beetle, Britain's largest terrestrial (ground-living) beetle, reaching 8 centimetres in length, is also in notable decline
- This was flagged at a national survey which was carried out in 1998 by the Peoples' Trust for Endangered Species
Current status
- The stag beetle is listed in Annexe 11 of the European Community Habitats Directive, and is required to have Special Areas of Conservation protection under law
- Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 also outlines regulations for its protection
- The stag beetle does not feature in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, however it is a regional priority and a London Action Plan has been created
- The London Wildlife Trust (as a part of the Biological Records Project) has accounted for 10 records of the stag beetle in the borough of Barking and Dagenham
Factors affecting the species
- The primary cause of decline has been the reduction of its dead wood habitat. This can be caused by the clearing up of fallen trees and over-intensive landscape management
- Negative associations with 'creepy-crawlies', and predation by cats, foxes, crows and kestrels
Current action
The Species Action Plans|
