Dundonnell Woods
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Condition (NatureScot)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Upland mixed ash woodland | Unfavourable Recovering | — | 2014-03-07 |
Habitats
Geology & landscape
Geological Feature: Gorge / Ravine
Landscape processes: Fluvial
Description
DUNDONNELL WOODS Dundonnell Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) lies 8km south of Ullapool at the head of Little Loch Broom in Wester Ross. The site includes one of the best examples of deciduous woodland in northwest Scotland. This site has the most northerly substantial stand of ash in Britain and the hillside ash-alder community is unique in Wester Ross. In the south of the SSSI, birch Betula pubescens and rowan Sorbus aucuparia grow on the block screes of Creag Dhubh Coille a’ Bhun. Heather Calluna vulgaris and bilberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea dominate the ground flora. Some ledges and crevices are well wooded with birch, rowan, willow Salix sp, aspen Populus tremula and holly Ilex aquifolium. Birch and alder Alnus glutinosa cling to the gorge sides along the Dundonnell River. In the central part of the SSSI the Dundonnell River plunges into a deep gorge 500m upstream of the confluence with the Allt a’ Chairn. A rich diversity of trees grow here, including wych elm Ulmus glabra, willow, Scots pine Pinus sylvestris, birch Betula pubescens, ash Fraxinus excelsior, oak Quercus petraea, hazel Corylus avellana, holly Ilex aquifolium, rowan and aspen Populus. Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum, ivy Hedera helix, dog rose Rosa canina, wood sage Teucrium scorodonia and hairy woodrush Luzula pilosa are typical species in the ground flora. Downstream of the gorge, the strath opens out and woodland grows on the west facing slopes, extending up onto the crags at the north end of the SSSI. The crags and the hill slope below support oak, ash, Scots pine, birch, rowan, aspen, hazel, willow, gean Prunus avium and wych elm. There is a diverse ground flora including wood anemone Anemone nemorosa, wild angelica Angelica sylvestris, wood avens Geum urbanum, sanicle Sanicula europaea, Wilson’s filmy fern Hymenophyllum wilsonii and oak fern Gymnocarpium dryopteris.
Species mentioned
Show the 24 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