Smithcombe, Sharpenhoe and Sundon Hills
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TL044288 | — | Unfavourable Declining | 2.97 | 2015-07-07 |
| TL048288 | — | Favourable | 6.07 | 2012-10-12 |
| TL055289 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 14.75 | 2012-10-12 |
| TL062294 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 21.14 | 2012-10-12 |
| TL069298 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 29.18 | 2012-10-12 |
| TL072293 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 13.38 | 2015-07-07 |
Habitats
Geology & landscape
Rock Type: Chalk
Description
Area, 86.14 hectares 212.85 ac Description Between Sundon and Streatley, on the steep sinuous north facing Lower Chalk escarpment are areas of unimproved calcareous grassland with a rich assemblage of characteristic plants. The natural process of habitat change is amply illustrated by the formation of species rich scrub which merges into mature beech Fagus sylvatica woodland. Many of the plants associated with this site are now uncommon in the county and nationally this is a habitat that has been greatly reduced both in extent and quality through agricultural improvement and changes in agricultural practice. The chalk downland plants form a close grassland community in which sheep’s fescue Festuca ovinais often dominant. Many other grasses occur inluding quaking grass Briza media, meadow oat grass Avenula pratensis, crested hair grass Koeleria macrantha in association with abundant herbs characteristic of chalk grassland. Notable species include Chiltern gentian Gentianella germanica, musk orchid Herminium monorchis, man orchid Orchis anthorpophora, woolly thistle Cirsium eriophorum, great pignut Bunium bulbocastanum and large thyme Thymus pulegioides. hawthorn Crataegus monogyna predominates in the dense and scattered scrub but mixed in are other species characteristic of the lime rich soil, wayfaring tree Viburnum lantana, buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica, dogwood Cornus sanguinea and hazel Corylus avellana. An uncommon rose, Rosa stylosa, is also found. Ash Fraxinus excelsior occurs in the beech high forest over a shrub layer of privet Ligustrum vulgare, holly Ilex aquifolium and hawthorn. Locally dominant on the woodland floor are primrose Primula vulgaris, sanicle Sanicula europaea, ploughman’s spikenard Inula conyza and wall lettuce Mycelis muralis. Other woodland herbs and grasses present include dog’s mercury Mercurialis perennis, enchanter’s nightshade Circaea lutetiana and wood false brome Brachypodium sylvaticum. In the deep shade orchids uncommon in the county are found including white helleborine Cephalanthera damasonium, fly orchid Ophrys insectifera and green flowered helleborine Epitactis phyllanthes. Re presentation of details approved by Council.
Species mentioned
Show the 28 species mentioned in the description, with red-list statusPlant communities
CG9 — Limestone pavement, Lowland calcareous grassland, Upland calcareous grassland
Sesleria albicans-Galium sterneri grassland
Show 107 indicator speciesEmpetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Carex capillaris, Carex caryophyllea, Carex eragrostis, Carex flacca, Carex hostiana, Carex panicea, Carex pulicaris, Kobresia simpliciuscula, Selaginella selaginoides, Rhodobryum roseum, Dicranum scoparium, Ditrichum flexicaule, Fissidens dubius, Encalypta streptocarpa, Racomitrium canescens sens.lat., Racomitrium lanuginosum, Ctenidium molluscum, Homalothecium lutescens, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Neckera crispa, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Rhytidium rugosum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Polytrichum juniperinum, Tortella tortuosa, Barbilophozia barbata, Blepharostoma trichophyllum, Frullania tamarisci, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila asplenioides, Scapania aspera, Tritomaria quinquedentata, Cetraria islandica, Cladonia pocillum, Cladonia rangiformis, Cornicularia aculeata, Pimpinella saxifraga, Achillea millefolium, Antennaria dioica, Bellis perennis, Carlina vulgaris, Cirsium vulgare, Leontodon hispidus, Pilosella officinarum, Taraxacum officianalis, Myosotis alpestris, Cochlearia alpina, Draba incana, Campanula rotundifolia, Scabiosa columbaria, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Minuartia verna, Parnassia palustris, Helianthemum oelandicum icanum, Sedum acre, Anthyllis vulneraria, Hippocrepis comosa, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Gentiana verna, Gentianella amarella, Hypericum pulchrum, Thymus praecox, Pinguicula vulgaris, Linum catharticum, Epipactis atrorubens, Euphrasia confusa, Euphrasia officinalis, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Veronica officinalis, Polygala vulgaris, Polygonum viviparum, Primula farinosa, Primula vulgaris, Thalictrum minus, Dryas octopetala, Potentilla erecta, Potentilla tabernaemontani, Poterium sanguisorba, Asperula cynanchica, Galium sterneri, Galium verum, Saxifraga hypnoides, Viola hirta, Viola riviniana, Viola rupestris, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Avenula pratensis, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Briza media, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Koeleria macrantha, Molinia caerulea, Sesleria caerulea
CG10 — Brownfield, Limestone pavement, Upland calcareous grassland
Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Thymus praecox grassland
Show 129 indicator speciesEmpetrum nigrum, Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Vaccinium myrtillus, Carex binervis, Carex caryophyllea, Carex demissa, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pilulifera, Carex pulicaris, Juncus squarrosus, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Luzula sylvatica, Selaginella selaginoides, Breutelia chrysocoma, Bryum pallens, Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Mnium hornum, Plagiomnium undulatum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Dicranum scoparium, Ditrichum flexicaule, Fissidens adianthoides, Fissidens osmundoides, Racomitrium canescens sens.lat., Racomitrium lanuginosum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sanionia uncinata, Thuidium delicatulum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Tortella tortuosa, Frullania tamarisci, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila asplenioides, Ptilidium ciliare, Scapania undulata, Cetraria islandica, Peltigera canina, Angelica sylvestris, Achillea millefolium, Antennaria dioica, Bellis perennis, Cirsium palustre, Hieraclium spp., Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Pilosella officinarum, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Solidago virgaurea, Cardamine pratensis, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Silene acaulis, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Lathyrus montanus, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Gentianella campestris, Hypericum pulchrum, Thymus praecox, Pinguicula vulgaris, Linum catharticum, Euphrasia confusa, Euphrasia officinalis, Euphrasia scottica, Oxalis acetosella, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Veronica officinalis, Polygala serpyllifolia, Polygonum viviparum, Rumex acetosa, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Thalictrum alpinum, Alchemilla alpina, Alchemilla filicaulis, Alchemilla glabra, Alchemilla wichurae, Alchemilla xanthochlora, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Potentilla crantzii, Potentilla erecta, Potentilla sterilis, Rubus idaeus, Galium boreale, Galium saxatile, Galium sterneri, Galium verum, Saxifraga aizoides, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Aira praecox, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Avenula pratensis, Briza media, Cynosurus cristatus, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Poa pratensis, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum, Botrychium lunaria, Thelypteris limbosperma
CG11 — Upland calcareous grassland
Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Alchemilla alpina grass-heath
Show 115 indicator speciesEmpetrum nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Vaccinium myrtillus, Salix herbacea, Carex bigelowii, Carex binervis, Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Carex panicea, Carex pilulifera, Carex pulicaris, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus squarrosus, Juncus trifidus, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Luzula spicata, Luzula sylvatica, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Breutelia chrysocoma, Mnium hornum, Plagiomnium undulatum, Dicranum scoparium, Racomitrium canescens sens.lat., Racomitrium lanuginosum, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sanionia uncinata, Thuidium delicatulum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Pogonatum urnigerum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Barbilophozia lycopodioides, Diplophyllum albicans, Frullania tamarisci, Nardia scalaris, Ptilidium ciliare, Tritomaria quinquedentata, Cetraria islandica, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia uncialis, Peltigera canina, Achillea millefolium, Antennaria dioica, Gnaphalium supinum, Hieraclium spp., Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Taraxacum officianalis, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium alpinum, Cerastium fontanum, Minuartia sedoides, Silene acaulis, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Lathyrus montanus, Trifolium repens, Thymus praecox, Pinguicula vulgaris, Linum catharticum, Narthecium ossifragum, Dactylorhiza viridis, Euphrasia officinalis, Oxalis acetosella, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Veronica officinalis, Veronica serpyllifolia, Armeria maritima, Polygonum viviparum, Rumex acetosa, Primula vulgaris, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Thalictrum alpinum, Trollius europaeus, Alchemilla alpina, Alchemilla filicaulis, Alchemilla xanthochlora, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Potentilla crantzii, Potentilla erecta, Sibbaldia procumbens, Galium boreale, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga aizoides, Saxifraga hypnoides, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Viola canina, Viola palustris, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Festuca vivipara, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Blechnum spicant, Botrychium lunaria, Thelypteris limbosperma
CG13 — Limestone pavement, Upland calcareous grassland
Dryas octopetala-Carex flacca heath
Show 95 indicator speciesSalix repens, Empetrum nigrum, Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Juniperus communis, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Rubus saxatilis, Carex flacca, Carex panicea, Carex pulicaris, Carex rupestris, Schoenus nigricans, Luzula campestris, Selaginella selaginoides, Breutelia chrysocoma, Dicranum scoparium, Ditrichum flexicaule, Fissidens dubius, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Ctenidium molluscum, Entodon concinnus, Homalothecium lutescens, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Loeskeobryum brevirostre, Neckera complanata, Neckera crispa, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Rhytidium rugosum, Thuidium delicatulum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Tortella tortuosa, Frullania tamarisci, Plagiochila asplenioides, Scapania undulata, Cladonia rangiformis, Solorina saccata, Daucus carota, Antennaria dioica, Bellis perennis, Centaurea nigra, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Pilosella officinarum, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Solidago virgaurea, Taraxacum officianalis, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Anthyllis vulneraria, Lathyrus montanus, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Gentianella amarella, Hypericum pulchrum, Thymus praecox, Pinguicula vulgaris, Linum catharticum, Epipactis atrorubens, Neottia ovata, Orchis mascula, Euphrasia confusa, Euphrasia officinalis, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Plantago media, Polygala serpyllifolia, Polygonum viviparum, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Thalictrum alpinum, Dryas octopetala, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Galium verum, Saxifraga aizoides, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Avenula pratensis, Cynosurus cristatus, Danthonia decumbens, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Festuca vivipara, Koeleria macrantha, Molinia caerulea, Polystichum aculeatum
U4 — Lowland dry acid grassland, Upland acid grassland, Upland calcareous grassland
Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile grassland
Show 82 indicator speciesCalluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus, Carex binervis, Carex caryophyllea, Carex echinata, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pilulifera, Juncus effusus, Juncus squarrosus, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Luzula sylvatica, Mnium hornum, Dicranum scoparium, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Thuidium tamariscinum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Polytrichum commune, Lophocolea bidentata, Conopodium majus, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Taraxacum officianalis, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Lathyrus montanus, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Thymus praecox, Euphrasia officinalis, Oxalis acetosella, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Veronica officinalis, Polygala serpyllifolia, Rumex acetosa, Primula vulgaris, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Potentilla erecta, Poterium sanguisorba, Galium saxatile, Galium verum, Viola lutea, Viola palustris, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Alopecurus pratensis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Avenula pratensis, Briza media, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Lolium perenne, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Poa annua, Poa pratensis, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum, Chara curta
U5 — Upland acid grassland, Upland calcareous grassland
Nardus stricta-Galium saxatile grassland
Show 79 indicator speciesEmpetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Vaccinium myrtillus, Carex bigelowii, Carex binervis, Carex demissa, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pilulifera, Carex pulicaris, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus effusus, Juncus squarrosus, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Luzula sylvatica, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Aulacomnium palustre, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranum scoparium, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Thuidium tamariscinum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum formosum, Polytrichum juniperinum, Sphagnum papillosum, Barbilophozia floerkei, Calypogeia muelleriana, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Lophozia ventricosa, Pleurozia purpurea, Ptilidium ciliare, Scapania gracilis, Cetraria islandica, Cladonia uncialis, Cirsium palustre, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Campanula rotundifolia, Cerastium fontanum, Equisetum palustre, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Trifolium repens, Narthecium ossifragum, Plantago lanceolata, Polygala serpyllifolia, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Alchemilla alpina, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis vinealis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Blechnum spicant
W20 — Montane scrub
Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub
Show 107 indicator speciesSalix arbuscula, Salix cinerea, Salix lapponum, Salix myrsinites, Salix phylicifolia, Salix reticulata, Empetrum nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Salix lanata, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium uliginosum, Carex atrata, Carex bigelowii, Carex binervis, Carex flacca, Luzula multiflora, Luzula sylvatica, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Aulacomnium palustre, Mnium hornum, Philonotis fontana, Plagiomnium undulatum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Dicranum bonjeanii, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Fissidens adianthoides, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Palustriella commutatum, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sanionia uncinata, Scorpidium revolvens, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum girgensohnii, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum russowii, Sphagnum squarrosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum teres, Barbilophozia barbata, Chiloscyphus polyanthos, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila porelloides, Ptilidium ciliare, Scapania undulata, Cladonia squamosa, Peltigera canina, Angelica sylvestris, Caltha palustris, Hieraclium spp., Saussurea alpina, Solidago virgaurea, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Rhodiola rosea, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Thymus praecox, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Dactylorhiza viridis, Euphrasia officinalis, Rhinanthus minor, Oxalis acetosella, Oxyria digyna, Polygonum viviparum, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Thalictrum alpinum, Alchemilla alpina, Alchemilla glabra, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Galium boreale, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga aizoides, Saxifraga hypnoides, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Saxifraga stellaris, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Nardus stricta, Dryopteris dilatata, Phegopteris connectilis
W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub
Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub
Show 81 indicator speciesHedera helix, Salix cinerea, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Malus sylvestris, Sorbus aria, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra, Ulmus procera, Sambucus nigra, Viburnum lantana, Euonymus europaeus, Cornus sanguinea, Juniperus communis, Ligustrum vulgare, Clematis vitalba, Rhamnus cathartica, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Juncus effusus, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhynchostegium confertum, Tamus communis, Heracleum sphondylium, Torilis japonica, Arum maculatum, Arctium minus, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Stellaria graminea, Stellaria holostea, Stellaria media agg., Calystegia sepium, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Iris foetidissima, Glechoma hederacea, Lamium purpureum, Origanum vulgare, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Allium ursinum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Circaea lutetiana, Rumex sanguineus, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus repens, Fragaria vesca, Geum urbanum, Potentilla sterilis, Poterium sanguisorba, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubia peregrina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Anisantha sterilis, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium pinnatum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis erecta, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris filix-mas
W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub
Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub
Show 49 indicator speciesHedera helix, Acer campestre, Corylus avellana, Ulex europaeus, Prunus spinosa, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Eurhynchium striatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Lophocolea bidentata, Achillea millefolium, Cardamine flexuosa, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum urbanum, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris filix-mas