Craigendarroch
Also within
Condition (NatureScot)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Upland oak woodland | Favourable | — | 2014-05-29 |
Habitats
Description
CRAIGENDARROCH Craigendarroch (402 m), “rocky hill of oaks” is located by the River Dee to the north of Ballater. Oak, largely pedunculate oak Quercus robur, occupies the south and west faces of the hill, from the lowest slopes by the river (200 m) up to over 300 m, close to the climatic limit of oak woodland in the British Isles. The wood, one of the most extensive oakwoods in Aberdeenshire, is an ancient one, though many of the present trees were probably planted. More recently established, actively regenerating woodlands of pine and birch on the north and east-facing slopes enhance the interest of the site. The woodland’s field layer is one of unusually base-deficient soils, with species such as wavy hair-grass Deschampsia flexuosa, blaeberry Vaccinium myrtillus and cowberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea and/or mosses.
Species mentioned
Show the 4 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
Latin name search with Google |
IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| wavy hair grass | Deschampsia flexuosa | Not listed in GB list | grass | poaceae |
| cowberry | Vaccinium vitis-idaea | LC | herb | ericaceae |
| billberry | Vaccinium myrtillus | LC | shrub | ericaceae |
| common oak | Quercus robur | LC | tree | fagaceae |
Plant 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