Dumbrock Loch Meadows

Also within

Stirling and Falkirk County

Condition (NatureScot)

Description

DUMBROCK LOCH MEADOWS Dumbrock Loch Meadows Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) surrounds Loch Dumbrock, and is located at the extreme south west of the Stirling Council area, a mile from the village of Strathblane. The SSSI comprises one of the largest areas of unimproved, herb-rich, lowland grassland in the Stirling Council area. Habitats of this type are nationally rare and declining. The grassland occurs on soils which are unusually varied, from moderate to rich in nutrients, and from dry to heavily flushed with groundwater, such that a variety of plant communities are present. Drier areas are dominated by grasses such as sheep’s-fescue Festuca ovina and common bent Agrostis capillaris with heath bedstraw Galium saxatile. Purple moor-grass Molinia caerulea and tormentil Potentilla erecta are found in the wetter areas as well as species such as the globeflower Trollius europaeus and tawny sedge Carex hostiana. Other notable grassland species occurring include mountain everlasting Antennaria dioica, field gentian Gentianella campestris, frog orchid Dactylorhiza viridis, common twayblade Neottia ovata and greater butterfly-orchid Platanthera chlorantha.

Species mentioned