Ascension : Conservation Weekly
Submitted by The Islander (Conservation Office) 27.05.2010 (Article Archived on 10.06.2010)

This is plant is considered an endemic species, though it has sometimes been treated as a form of X.trichomaniodes,

 
Xiphopteris ascensionensis   

This is plant is considered an endemic species, though it has sometimes been treated as a form of X.trichomaniodes, a widespread tropical species. It is a fern of the mist zone of the highest part of the mountain. It requires constant moisture and grows very locally in rock crevices and on trees, always amongst moss. It is often associated with the endemic mosses Campylopus smaragdinus and Calymperes ascensionis, which with other mosses have colonised many kinds of introduced trees (including the bamboos on the peak); the fern has benefited from this extension of its habitat

Land crabs

We would like to remind the public that the land crabs are in their spawning season and are continuing their journey down to the beaches carrying their eggs, please be careful whilst driving to avoid crushing the land crabs.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Volunteers welcome. Please contact Olivia Renshaw or Natasha Williams. Ascension Island Conservation Department. Georgetown. Tel: 6359. Email:  olivia.renshaw@ascension.gov.ac

natasha.williams@ascension.gov.ac