Juniper  (Juniperus communis)

Juniper is believed to have declined by up to 60% of its pre-1960 population, although with adult bushes being long-lived, it is possible for moribund populations with no regeneration to affect the true status of the species. The biggest threat to the plant is over-grazing, which prevents the regeneration of young bushes. However, too little grazing also affects the spread of juniper by allowing larger trees to shade out the adult bushes. In the uplands, juniper is also threatened by moorland burning for game shooting, which prevents the plants regenerating or leads to a fragmented cover. However, the threat to the species is greater in England than it is in Scotland.

Juniper is listed under the UK Biodiversity Action Plans and included in English Nature's Species Recovery Programme. It is also part of Plantlife's 'Back from the Brink' project. Many juniper populations are within Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), and there are grants available to landowners to encourage proper management of the plant. The Forestry Commission Woodland Grant Scheme is also being used to maintain populations where these occur within a woodland context. Juniper is a component of several important habitats, particularly upland scrub woodland, and the loss of this species within this habitat removes a vital element of its biodiversity. It is also planned to carry out a series of regional surveys to assess the age range and reproductive potential of native juniper populations. This information will enable new populations to be established in areas where trees have been lost in order to restore the associated habitats.