Downton Gorge

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 52.3633, -2.8160

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Also within

Herefordshire CountyShropshire County

Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable Declining (4) Unfavourable Recovering (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SO430731 — Unfavourable Declining 13.43 2017-05-08
SO438736 — Unfavourable Recovering 21.42 2018-06-25
SO439740 — Unfavourable Declining 13.43 2017-05-08
SO446741 — Unfavourable Declining 16.34 2017-08-15
SO457751 — Unfavourable Declining 17.98 2017-08-15

Climate exposure

This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.

Coastal

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.

Habitats

Ancient woodland, Bracken scrub, Fast flowing river and stream, Wood pasture

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: Gorge / Ravine · Mining / Industrial: Quarry · Geological Period: Silurian · Rock Type: Alluvium, Limestone, Sandstone

Landscape processes: Coastal, Fluvial

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

SpeciesSeason
buzzard Breeding
grey wagtail Breeding
pied flycatcher Breeding

Fish

SpeciesSeason
Atlantic salmon Unknown
Grayling Unknown
Sea trout Unknown

Description

Description Downton Gorge lies on a stretch of the River Teme within the old county of Herefordshire where its northern boundary borders Shropshire. The gorge itself was formed by the river cutting through a ridge of limestones, siltstones and sandstones of late Silurian age. In the southern part of the site this has resulted in a deep ravine with steep cliffs. In the northern part of the site the river valley is joined by a series of small side valleys dingles whose streams drain into the main river. Small flat areas of alluvium occur adjacent to the river where the gorge is at its broadest. The soils on the lower slopes of the gorge sides are mainly calcareous derived from the underlying limestones and siltstones but on the upper slopes are more acidic where they are leached or underlain by sandstone. The site has been selected as an example of ancient semi natural woodland displaying a number of types of woodland, some of which are nationally scarce. The river is a species rich example of a river flowing over sandstone, millstone or hard limestone. The site is also important for its exposure of Bone Beds of late Silurian age. Biology The woodlands of the gorge once formed part of the ancient Royal Chase of Bringewood which covered a large area in this part of the Welsh Borders during mediaeval times. Apart from the Downton Gorge woodlands only a few relict fragments of this ancient Chase survive having been destroyed largely by clearance for agriculture in the intervening centuries and latterly by coniferisation since the First World War. Historical records demonstrate a continuity of structure and species composition in the woods at Downton Gorge. A number of types of woodland can be recognised here, several of which are nationally scarce. Much of the more calcareous parts of the gorge is covered by woodland with sessile oak Quercus petraea, ash Fraxinus excelsior and wych elm Ulmus glabra, together with both large leaved lime Tilia platyphyllos and small leaved lime Tilia cordata. On the upper slopes where the soils are more acid silver birch Betula pendula becomes an important feature. Large leaved lime is a nationally rare native tree and its association with small leaved lime and sessile oak in the acidic areas of the woodland is considered one of the more important examples remaining in Britain of this type of woodland. Much of the old Bringewood Chase was described as wood pasture with many pollard trees. There still remain many fine pollarded oaks and limes throughout the woodland. A variety of other native tree and shrub species also occur including yew Taxus baccata, field maple Acer campestre, holly Ilex aquifolium, hornbeam Carpinus betulus and rowan Sorbus aucuparia. Wild service tree Sorbus torminalis, a local species in Britain, is present in the steeper parts of the gorge. The shrub layer includes hazel Corylus avellana, hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, guelder rose Viburnum opulus, spindle Euonymus europaeus and wild privet Ligustrum vulgare. In the more calcareous areas of the woodland the ground flora is dominated by calcicole lime loving species such as woodruff Galium odoratum, dog’s mercury Mercurialis perennis and enchanter’s nightshade Circaea lutetiana. In the more acidic parts of the woodland these are replaced by bracken Pteridium aquilinum, wavy hair grass Deschampsia flexuosa and great wood rush Luzula sylvatica. Additionally any uncommon or local species occur. These include herb paris Paris quadrifolia, lily of the valley Convallaria majalis, southern wood rush Luzula forsteri, violet helleborine Epipactis purpurata, tutsan Hypericum androsaemum and saw wort Serratula tinctoria. The nationally rare wood fescue Festuca altissima, occurs in the steep exposed cliffs of the gorge as does the equally rare rock stonecrop Sedum forsterianum. The gorge cliffs are important for ferns, with 12 species recorded, including such uncommon ones as oak fern Gymnocarpium dryopteris and brittle bladder fern Cystopteris fragilis. The site is also important for mosses and lichens. Over 100 species of lichen have been recorded from Downton Gorge which is considered to be a site of national importance for this group of plants. A number of these are typically associated with ancient wood pasture and one of these, tree lungwort Lobaria pulmonaria is only found at one other site in central England. Similarly over 90 species of mosses have been recorded including a number of local and rare species. The river in the gorge is fast flowing and relatively unpolluted. Its substrate varies from large boulders in the faster flowing sections to gravels and silts in the shallower area where the river is wider and slower. The aquatic flora is restricted to one or two species such as river water crowfoot Ranunculus fluitans which can survive in the fast current. The margins and small islands however have a much greater diversity. Alder Alnus glutinosa and willows Salix caprea, Salix cinerea and S. fragilis fringe the bank and a wide variety of riparian plants includes such characteristic species as yellow iris Iris pseudacorus, water plantain Alisma plantago-aquatica and skullcap Scutellaria galericulata. The fauna includes polecat Mustela putorius, badger Meles meles, otter Lutra lutra and fallow deer Dama dama, including specimens of a long haired variety which is confined to this district of the British Isles. Breeding birds include kingfisher Alcedo atthis, grey wagtail Motacilla cinerea, dipper Cinclus cinclus and pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca. Buzzard Buteo buteo and raven Corvus corax have also been recorded in the woodland. The river supports crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes, salmon Salmo salar, trout Salmo trutta and grayling Thymallus thymallus. The invertebrate fauna is less well known. So far 60 species of beetle have been recorded some of which are associated with the ancient pollards. The butterflies include silver washed fritillary Argynnis paphia. Geology Downton Gorge includes a number of important geological sites, some of which have yielded fossil remains of rare primitive fish. At Bow Bridge rocks of the Ludlow Series are exposed with the Upper Bringewood Formation overlain by the Leintwardine Beds. The Bringewood Formation contains a well preserved fossil fauna and flora including layers rich in the bivalve mollusc Rhipidium knighti and favositid corals. The Leintwardine Beds also contain distinctive fossil fauna and flora assemblages. At Forge Rough Weir there is a fine exposure of the Ludlow Bone Bed, overlain by sandstones and the Downton Bone Bed. These bone beds contain important fossils, including teeth and spines of Acanthodian and Thelodont fish whilst the intervening sandstones contain invertebrate remains. These rocks illustrate the transition from marine to estuarine conditions at this critical time for fish evolution, during the late Silurian. Castle Bridge Mill Quarry exposes Downton Castle Sandstone of late Silurian age with specimens of the extremely rare Sclerodus pustuliferus. This species is very significant in the evolutionary development of these early vertebrates. A.D. Winton Castle Bridge a small exposure of the basal Temeside Shales, also of late Silurian age, yields well preserved head shields of the fossil fish Hemicyclaspis. At Tin Mill Race, a bone bed within the Temeside Shales is exposed. These localities have yielded much scientifically important fossil fish material over many years.

Species mentioned

English name
search for this in other sites		 Latin name
search with Google		 IUCN / Red List Type Family
raven Corvus corax LC (Breeding) bird-corvid corvidae
dipper Cinclus cinclus NT (Breeding) bird-dipper cinclidae
buzzard Buteo buteo LC (Breeding) bird-hawk falconidae
kingfisher Alcedo atthis LC (Breeding) bird-kingfisher alcedinidae
pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca VU (Breeding) bird-robin muscicapidae
grey wagtail Motacilla cinerea NT (Breeding) bird-wagtail motacillidae
silver-washed fritillary Argynnis paphia LC butterfly nymphalidae
otter Lutra lutra LC carnivore mustelidae
badger Meles meles LC carnivore mustelidae
polecat Mustela putorius LC carnivore mustelidae
native freshwater crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes Not listed in GB list crustacean astacidae
fallow deer Dama dama NE deer cervidae
brittle bladder fern Cystopteris fragilis CR fern woodsiaceae
oak fern Gymnocarpium dryopteris NT fern woodsiaceae
bracken Pteridium aquilinum LC fern dennstaedtiaceae
Atlantic salmon Salmo salar EN fish salmonidae
brown trout Salmo trutta LC fish salmonidae
grayling Thymallus thymallus LC fish salmonidae
wavy hair grass Deschampsia flexuosa Not listed in GB list grass poaceae
wood fescue Festuca altissima Not listed in GB list grass poaceae
water plantain Alisma plantago-aquatica LC herb alismataceae
enchanter's nightshade Circaea lutetiana LC herb onagraceae
lilly of the valley Convallaria majalis LC herb liliaceae
violet helleborine Epipactis purpurata LC herb orchidaceae
woodruff Galium odoratum LC herb rubiaceae
tutsan Hypericum androsaemum LC herb hypericaceae
yellow iris or flag Iris pseudacorus LC herb iridaceae
dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis LC herb euphorbiaceae
herb paris Paris quadrifolia VU herb melanthiaceae
water crowfoots Ranunculus fluitans LC herb ranunculaceae
skullcap Scutellaria galericulata LC herb scrophulariaceae
saw wort Serratula tinctoria VU herb asteraceae
tree lungwort Lobaria pulmonaria LC lichen no common name
southern woodrush Luzula forsteri LC rush juncaceae
great wood rush Luzula sylvatica LC rush juncaceae
hawthorn Crataegus monogyna LC shrub rosaceae
spindle tree Euonymus europaeus LC shrub celastraceae
wild privet Ligustrum vulgare LC shrub oleaceae
gelder rose Viburnum opulus LC shrub caprifoliaceae
field maple Acer campestre LC tree aceraceae
alder Alnus glutinosa LC tree salicaceae
birch Betula pendula LC tree betulaceae
hornbeam Carpinus betulus LC tree betulaceae
hazel Corylus avellana LC tree corylaceae
ash Fraxinus excelsior LC tree oleaceae
holly Ilex aquifolium LC tree aquifoliaceae
sessile or durmast oak Quercus petraea LC tree fagaceae
rowan Sorbus aucuparia LC tree rosaceae
yew Taxus baccata LC tree taxaceae
lime small leaved Tilia cordata LC tree malvaceae
large leaved lime Tilia platyphyllos LC tree malvaceae
wych elm Ulmus glabra LC tree ulmaceae
goat willow Salix caprea LC tree shrub salicaceae
grey willow Salix cinerea LC tree shrub salicaceae

Plant communities

A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream

Potamogeton natans community

Schoenoplectus 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

Isolepis 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

Berula 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

Fontinalis 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

W10 — Atlantic oak wood, Lowland dry oak and birch wood, Lowland mixed oak and ash wood, Wood pasture

Quercus robur-Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus woodland

Hedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Carpinus betulus, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Castanea sativa, Quercus hybrid, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur, Tilia cordata, Tilia x europaea, Fraxinus excelsior, Larix decidua, Pinus nigra, Pinus sylvestris, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Malus sylvestris, Prunus avium, Sorbus aucuparia, Alnus glutinosa, Populus tremula, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra, Sambucus nigra, Viburnum lantana, Viburnum opulus, Rhododendron ponticum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Cytisus scoparius, Ulex europaeus, Ligustrum vulgare, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Carex sylvatica, Juncus effusus, Luzula multiflora, Luzula pilosa, Luzula sylvatica, Mnium hornum, Plagiomnium rostratum, Plagiomnium undulatum, Ceratodon purpureus, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranoweisia cirrata, Dicranum scoparium, Amblystegium serpens, Brachythecium rutabulum, Eurhynchium striatum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Isothecium myosuroides, Kindbergia praelonga, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichum formosum, Lophocolea bidentata, Pellia epiphylla, Narcissus pseudonarcissus, Aegopodium podagraria, Anthriscus sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Sanicula europaea, Jacobaea vulgaris, Solidago virgaurea, Lonicera periclymenum, Silene dioica, Stellaria holostea, Stellaria media agg., Euphorbia amygdaloides, Mercurialis perennis, Corydalis claviculata, Geranium robertianum, Ajuga reptans, Glechoma hederacea, Lamiastrum galeobdolon, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Circaea lutetiana, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Veronica chamaedrys, Rumex acetosa, Rumex sanguineus, Lysimachia nemorum, Lysimachia nummularia, Primula vulgaris, Anemone nemorosa, Ficaria verna, Ranunculus repens, Fragaria vesca, Potentilla sterilis, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Galium odoratum, Galium saxatile, Melanpyrum pratense, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis ramosa, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Melica uniflora, Milium effusum, Poa nemoralis, Poa trivialis, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas, Thelypteris limbosperma, Athyrium filix-femina

W11 — Altantic hazel wood, Atlantic oak wood, Caledonian forest, Upland birch wood, Wood pasture

Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Oxalis acetosella woodland

Acer campestre, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus hybrid, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Larix decidua, Sorbus aucuparia, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Juniperus communis, Vaccinium myrtillus, Cytisus scoparius, Crataegus monogyna, Rubus saxatilis, Carex pilulifera, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Luzula pilosa, Luzula sylvatica, Mnium hornum, Plagiomnium affine, Plagiomnium undulatum, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Cirriphyllum piliferum, Eurhynchium striatum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Isothecium myosuroides, Kindbergia praelonga, Loeskeobryum brevirostre, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum formosum, Polytrichum longisetum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila asplenioides, Plagiochila spinulosa, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Campanula rotundifolia, Lonicera periclymenum, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Stellaria holostea, Pyrola minor, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Lathyrus montanus, Geranium robertianum, Hypericum pulchrum, Ajuga reptans, Teucrium scorodonia, Convallaria majalis, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Veronica chamaedrys, Veronica officinalis, Rumex acetosa, Lysimachia nemorum, Primula vulgaris, Trientalis europaea, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Galium saxatile, Melanpyrum pratense, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis vinealis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas, Thelypteris limbosperma, Athyrium filix-femina

W14 — Beech wood, Wood pasture

Fagus sylvatica-Rubus fruticosus woodland

Hedera 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

Hedera 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

W16 — Atlantic oak wood, Lowland dry oak and birch wood, Wood pasture

Quercus spp.-Betula spp.-Deschampsia flexuosa woodland

Hedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Castanea sativa, Quercus hybrid, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur, Pinus sylvestris, Sorbus aria, Sorbus aucuparia, Populus tremula, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Rhododendron ponticum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Frangula alnus, Crataegus monogyna, Luzula sylvatica, Mnium hornum, Orthodontium lineare, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus flexuosus, Campylopus pyriformis, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranodontium denudatum, Dicranoweisia cirrata, Dicranum fuscescens, Dicranum scoparium, Leucobryum glaucum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Isothecium myosuroides, Kindbergia praelonga, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium nemorale, Plagiothecium succulentum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Thuidium tamariscinum, Tetraphis pellucida, Barbilophozia attenuata, Barbilophozia floerkei, Calypogeia fissa, Calypogeia trichomanis, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Gymnocolea inflata, Lepidozia reptans, Lophocolea bidentata, Lophocolea heterophylla, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia coniocraea, Cladonia fimbriata, Cladonia polydactyla, Cladonia squamosa, Solidago virgaurea, Lonicera periclymenum, Corydalis claviculata, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Rumex acetosella, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium saxatile, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Molinia caerulea, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris dilatata

W17 — Altantic hazel wood, Atlantic oak wood, Caledonian forest, Upland birch wood, Wood pasture

Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Dicranum majus woodland

Hedera helix, Salix caprea, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus hybrid, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sorbus aucuparia, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Juniperus communis, Rhododendron ponticum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Crataegus monogyna, Carex pilulifera, Luzula multiflora, Luzula pilosa, Luzula sylvatica, Andreaea rupestris, Mnium hornum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranodontium denudatum, Dicranum fuscescens, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Dicranum scottianum, Leucobryum glaucum, Ptychomitrium polyphyllum, Racomitrium fasciculare, Racomitrium heterostichum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Eurhynchium striatum, Heterocladium heteropterum, Hylocomiastrum umbratum, Hylocomium armoricum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Isothecium myosuroides, Kindbergia praelonga, Loeskeobryum brevirostre, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sematophyllum demissum, Sematophyllum micans, Thuidium delicatulum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum formosum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fimbriatum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum russowii, Sphagnum subnitens, Tetraphis pellucida, Adelanthus decipiens, Anastrepta orcadensis, Barbilophozia attenuata, Barbilophozia floerkei, Bazzania tricrenata, Bazzania trilobata, Blepharostoma trichophyllum, Calypogeia fissa, Calypogeia muelleriana, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Diplophyllum albicans, Frullania tamarisci, Fuscocephaloziopsis lunulifolia, Harpanthus scutatus, Jamesoniella autumnalis, Jungermannia gracillima, Lepidozia pearsonii, Lepidozia reptans, Lophocolea bidentata, Lophocolea heterophylla, Lophozia ventricosa, Marsupella emarginata, Microlejeunea ulicina, Mylia taylorii, Nowellia curvifolia, Plagiochila asplenioides, Plagiochila atlantica, Plagiochila killarniensis, Plagiochila porelloides, Plagiochila punctata, Plagiochila spinulosa, Ptilidium ciliare, Saccogyna viticulosa, Scapania gracilis, Scapania nemorea, Scapania umbrosa, Tritomaria exsectiformis, Tritomaria quinquedentata, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia digitata, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia polydactyla, Cladonia squamosa, Cladonia squamules, Cladonia subcervicornis, Parmelia saxatilis, Sphaerophorus fragilis, Sphaerophorus globosus, Solidago virgaurea, Lonicera periclymenum, Succisa pratensis, Cornus suecica, Hypericum pulchrum, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Goodyera repens, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Rumex acetosa, Lysimachia nemorum, Trientalis europaea, Anemone nemorosa, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium saxatile, Melanpyrum pratense, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Agrostis vinealis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Molinia caerulea, Poa nemoralis, Poa pratensis, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris aemula, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas, Hymenophyllum tunbrigense, Hymenophyllum wilsonii, Polypodium vulgare, Thelypteris limbosperma, Athyrium filix-femina

W25 — Bracken scrub

Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus underscrub

Hedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sambucus nigra, Ulex europaeus, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Luzula multiflora, Mnium hornum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Arum maculatum, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Silene dioica, Stellaria holostea, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Glechoma hederacea, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Circaea lutetiana, Digitalis purpurea, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ficaria verna, Potentilla erecta, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Galium mollugo sens.lat., Galium saxatile, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas