Greatwood and Cliff Copses
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SZ561805 | — | Favourable | 1.97 | 2011-09-27 |
| SZ564804 | — | Favourable | 2.29 | 2011-09-27 |
| SZ568805 | — | Favourable | 2.55 | 2011-09-27 |
| SZ571805 | — | Favourable | 1.02 | 2011-09-27 |
| SZ573800 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 8.05 | 2011-09-27 |
Climate exposure
This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.
Coastal habitats are exposed to sea-level rise and storm erosion. Where hard sea defences sit behind them, there's nowhere landward to retreat to — a squeeze that keeps compressing the habitat no matter how well it's managed.
Geology & landscape
Rock Type: Greensand
Landscape processes: Coastal, Glacial
Birds & fish recorded
Birds
| Species | Season |
|---|---|
| cuckoo | Unknown |
Description
Area, 16.3 hectares Description Greatwood and Cliff Copses comprise areas of ancient ash, wych elm and beech woodland on extremely steep, Upper Greensand scarp slopes, flushed with a number of lime enriched springs. The woodlands ecology is strongly influenced by this unusual combination of geomorphological features. This is expressed in a variety of woodland and associated ground flora types unique on the Isle of Wight and with few parallels in south east England. The situation of Greatwood and Cliff Copses on very steep slopes with thin soils combined with the presence of a number of rare and unusual plant species indicates that they are of considerable age. Parts of these copses may have persisted as woodland since they developed at the end of the last glaciation 5,000–7,000 years ago. Greatwood Copse is broadly ovoid in shape and covers an east facing scarp slope. The woodland displays a disused coppice with standards structure in which the canopy trees are often widely spaced and dominated by ash Fraxinus excelsior, commonly with pedunculate oak Quercus robur and locally wild cherry Prunus avium, beech Fagus sylvatica and wych elm Ulmus glabra. Some planted sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus and horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum also occur on the lower more gently sloping parts of the copse where Upper Greensand gives way to Gault Clay. The coppice and shrub layer is dominated by large over mature hazel Corylus avellana coppice stools commonly with field maple Acer campestre, dogwood Cornus sanguinea and in wetter areas goat willow Salix caprea. The woodland floor is very varied in form and flora. Its upper slopes are punctuated by a series of old stone quarries which are interspersed with a number of mounds, probably composed of spoil produced from the workings. At the junction of Upper Greensand and Gault Clay a small spring gives rise to a stream that flows through the wood. The woodland flora reflects this variety of microhabitats. Over most of the wood wild garlic Allium ursinum forms a dense carpet commonly with primroses Primula vulgaris, pendulous sedge Carex pendula, moschatel Adoxa moschatellina and lesser celandine Ficaria verna. On better drained and more acid soils such as over the old spoil mounds honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum, bluebells Hyacinthoides non-scripta, wood sorrel Oxalis acetosella and scaly male fern Dryopteris affinis are common. The micro habitat created by the stream supports an abundance of opposite leaved golden saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, yellow pimpernel Lysimachia nemorum and cuckoo-flower Cardamine pratensis. The old stone quarries contain a luxuriant growth of ferns including hart’s tongue Asplenium scolopendrium, broad buckler Dryopteris dilatata and soft shield Polystichum setiferum ferns. Cliff Copse covers an extremely steep, north facing inland cliff, forming a narrow linear wood. Ecologically it has many similarities with the adjacent Greatwood Copse but varies from it in the abundance of mature beech, wych elm and whitebeam Sorbus aria. The highest parts of Cliff Copse contain many natural rock exposures of Upper Greensand. From the fissures and cracks in these rocks whitebeam commonly grows forming the best stand of this tree species on the Isle of Wight. At the base of these rocky outcrops small springs emerge, marked by dense carpets of opposite leaved golden saxifrage and in places wild gooseberry Ribes uva-crispa. Lower on the slopes where flushing of lime enriched water is greatest, wych elm grows, commonly with ash, field maple and elder Sambucus nigra. Although most of the mature wych elm have died due to Dutch elm disease many young saplings survive. The unusual occurrence of this rare tree species on flushed soils over Upper Greensand is of considerable ecological interest whilst the stand is itself the best example of its type on the Island. The eastern and western extremities of Cliff Copse supports stands of mature beech woodland. The ground flora in these areas displays a remarkable assemblage of calcium demanding plants, such as wild garlic and calcium intolerant plants such as the great wood rush Luzula sylvatica, presumably as a consequence of varying degrees of flushing. The oldest ash trees in Cliff Copse are covered in a rich epiphytic lichen flora which includes the tree lungwort Lobaria pulmonaria, a rare lichen demanding specific conditions of light and humidity which, in southern England, are found only in the oldest woodlands. To the west of Cliff Copse the wooded escarpment gives way to an interesting and rare example of agriculturally unimproved Upper Greensand grassland. It includes an unusual association of woodland plants such as wood anemone Anemone nemorosa and lesser celandine growing with grassland plants like common knapweed Centaurea nigra, tormentil Potentilla erecta and a great abundance of burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga. Interspersed through the grassland are small thickets of bramble Rubus fruticosus and gorse Ulex europaeus in whose shade bluebells commonly grow. Status, Site of Special Scientific Interest SSSI notified under Section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981
Species mentioned
Show the 37 species mentioned in the description, with red-list statusPlant communities
A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream
Potamogeton natans community
Show 20 indicator speciesSchoenoplectus lacustris, Juncus bulbosus, Sparganium angustifolium, Sparganium erectum, Sparganium minimum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Glyceria fluitans, Chara subspinosa
A14 — Fast flowing river and stream
Myriophyllum alterniflorum community
Show 15 indicator speciesIsolepis fluitans, Juncus bulbosus, Fontinalis antipyretica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton filiformis, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus peltatus, Chara spp., Nitella hyalina
A17 — Chalk river and stream, Fast flowing river and stream
Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans community
Show 11 indicator speciesBerula erecta, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum hydropiper, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans
A18 — Fast flowing river and stream
Ranunculus fluitans community
Show 12 indicator speciesFontinalis antipyretica, Fontinalis squamosa var. curnowii, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus fluitans, Glyceria fluitans, Phalaris arundinacea
OV39 — Limestone pavement, Rocky slope
Asplenium trichomanes-Asplenium ruta-muraria community
Show 53 indicator speciesBryum capillare, Fissidens dubius, Encalypta streptocarpa, Schistidium apocarpum, Homalothecium sericeum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Neckera crispa, Syntrichia intermedia, Tortella tortuosa, Tortula muralis, Tortula ruralis, Tortula subulata, Trichostomum crispulum, Weissia controversa, Porella platyphylla, Reboulia hemisphaerica, Riccia sorocarpa, Targionia hypophylla, Cladonia pocillum, Dermatocarpon lachnaeum, Dermatocarpon miniatum, Squamarina cartilaginea, Toninia caeruleonigricans, Carlina vulgaris, Centaurea scabiosa, Pilosella officinarum, Arabidopsis thaliana, Hornungia petraea, Campanula rotundifolia, Scabiosa columbaria, Arenaria serpyllifolia, Silene nutans, Sedum acre, Medicago lupulina, Geranium molle, Acinos arvensis, Teucrium scorodonia, Thymus praecox, Veronica arvensis, Potentilla tabernaemontani, Poterium sanguisorba, Galium sterneri, Saxifraga tridactylites, Aira caryophyllea, Arrhenatherum elatius, Festuca ovina, Koeleria macrantha, Aphanes arvensis, Asplenium adiantum-nigrum, Asplenium ceterach, Asplenium ruta-muraria, Asplenium trichomanes, Anogramma leptophylla
OV40 — Limestone pavement, Rocky slope
Asplenium viride-Cystopteris fragilis community
Show 35 indicator speciesPlagiobryum zieri, Pohlia cruda, Fissidens dubius, Encalypta streptocarpa, Ctenidium molluscum, Homalothecium sericeum, Isopterygiopsis pulchella, Neckera crispa, Orthothecium intricatum, Orthothecium rufescens, Anoectangium aestivum, Tortella tortuosa, Trichostomum crispulum, Weissia controversa, Plagiochila porelloides, Porella platyphylla, Reboulia hemisphaerica, Pellia endiviifolia, Solorina saccata, Campanula rotundifolia, Geranium robertianum, Thymus praecox, Poterium sanguisorba, Galium sterneri, Arrhenatherum elatius, Festuca ovina, Koeleria macrantha, Asplenium ruta-muraria, Asplenium scolopendrium, Asplenium trichomanes, Asplenium viride, Polystichum aculeatum, Polystichum lonchitis, Anogramma leptophylla, Cystopteris fragilis
U18 — Rocky slope, Scree
Cryptogramma crispa-Athyrium distentifolium snow-bed
Show 64 indicator speciesVaccinium myrtillus, Carex bigelowii, Juncus trifidus, Luzula spicata, Huperzia selago, Pohlia nutans, Rhizomnium punctatum, Dicranum fuscescens, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Kiaeria starkei, Racomitrium canescens sens.lat., Racomitrium fasciculare, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hylocomiastrum umbratum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Kindbergia praelonga, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium nemorale, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Sanionia uncinata, Oligotrichum hercynicum, Pogonatum urnigerum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Polytrichastrum sexangulare, Polytrichum piliferum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Anastrepta orcadensis, Barbilophozia floerkei, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophozia obtusa, Lophozia sudetica, Ptilidium ciliare, Tritomaria quinquedentata, Cladonia bellidiflora, Cladonia gracilis, Peltigera canina, Gnaphalium supinum, Cerastium fontanum, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Oxalis acetosella, Oxyria digyna, Rumex acetosa, Alchemilla alpina, Sibbaldia procumbens, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga stellaris, Viola palustris, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Nardus stricta, Cryptogramma crispa, Blechnum spicant, Dryopteris dilatata, Phegopteris connectilis, Thelypteris limbosperma, Athyrium distentifolium, Gymnocarpium dryopteris
U21 — Rocky slope, Scree
Cryptogramma crispa-Deschampsia flexuosa community
Show 54 indicator speciesEmpetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Vaccinium myrtillus, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Huperzia selago, Mnium hornum, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Grimmia donniana, Racomitrium fasciculare, Racomitrium heterostichum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Isothecium myosuroides, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Pogonatum urnigerum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Polytrichum formosum, Polytrichum juniperinum, Polytrichum strictum, Sphagnum subnitens, Barbilophozia floerkei, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Cephaloziella hampeana, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophozia ventricosa, Nardia scalaris, Ptilidium ciliare, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia squamosa, Cladonia uncialis, Cornicularia aculeata, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Rumex acetosella, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Nardus stricta, Cryptogramma crispa, Thelypteris limbosperma
W12 — Beech wood
Fagus sylvatica-Mercurialis perennis woodland
Show 91 indicator speciesHedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Carpinus betulus, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Aesculus hippocastanum, Fraxinus excelsior, Prunus avium, Sorbus aria, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra, Buxus sempervirens, Sambucus nigra, Viburnum lantana, Viburnum opulus, Euonymus europaeus, Cornus sanguinea, Ligustrum vulgare, Clematis vitalba, Crataegus monogyna, Daphne laureola, Carex flacca, Carex sylvatica, Mnium hornum, Plagiomnium undulatum, Fissidens taxifolius, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Thamnobryum alopecurum, Tamus communis, Anthriscus sylvestris, Heracleum sphondylium, Sanicula europaea, Arum maculatum, Arctium minus, Mycelis muralis, Solidago virgaurea, Cynoglossum officinale, Alliaria petiolata, Campanula trachelium, Lonicera periclymenum, Silene dioica, Euphorbia amygdaloides, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Hypericum hirsutum, Iris foetidissima, Ajuga reptans, Glechoma hederacea, Lamiastrum galeobdolon, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Allium ursinum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Circaea lutetiana, Epilobium montanum, Cephalanthera damasonium, Neottia nidus-avis, Neottia ovata, Veronica chamaedrys, Rumex sanguineus, Anemone nemorosa, Ficaria verna, Ranunculus bulbosus, Fragaria vesca, Geum urbanum, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Galium mollugo sens.lat., Galium odoratum, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Anisantha sterilis, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis ramosa, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Melica uniflora, Milium effusum, Poa nemoralis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas
W14 — Beech wood, Wood pasture
Fagus sylvatica-Rubus fruticosus woodland
Show 76 indicator speciesHedera helix, Salix caprea, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Pinus sylvestris, Prunus avium, Sorbus aria, Sorbus aucuparia, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra, Sambucus nigra, Ruscus aculeatus, Ligustrum vulgare, Carex remota, Carex sylvatica, Luzula pilosa, Mnium hornum, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranum scoparium, Fissidens taxifolius, Brachythecium rutabulum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Isothecium myosuroides, Kindbergia praelonga, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum formosum, Arum maculatum, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Stellaria media agg., Euphorbia amygdaloides, Mercurialis perennis, Hypericum pulchrum, Lamiastrum galeobdolon, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Circaea lutetiana, Epipactis helleborine, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus repens, Geum urbanum, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium odoratum, Galium verum, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis ramosa, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Melica uniflora, Milium effusum, Poa nemoralis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus giganteus, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas
W15 — Beech wood, Wood pasture
Fagus sylvatica-Deschampsia flexuosa woodland
Show 54 indicator speciesHedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus hybrid, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur, Pinus sylvestris, Sorbus aucuparia, Taxus baccata, Calluna vulgaris, Rhododendron ponticum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ruscus aculeatus, Carex pilulifera, Luzula pilosa, Luzula sylvatica, Mnium hornum, Orthodontium lineare, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranum scoparium, Leucobryum glaucum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Kindbergia praelonga, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Thuidium tamariscinum, Polytrichum formosum, Tetraphis pellucida, Calypogeia fissa, Diplophyllum albicans, Gymnocolea inflata, Lepidozia reptans, Cladonia fimbriata, Cladonia squamules, Lonicera periclymenum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Oxalis acetosella, Rubus fruticosus agg., Melanpyrum pratense, Agrostis capillaris, Deschampsia flexuosa, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Molinia caerulea, Poa nemoralis, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris dilatata