Hells Glen

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 56.2060, -4.9190

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Also within

Argyll and Bute County LochLomond National Park National Park

Condition (NatureScot)

Unfavourable Recovering (2) Favourable (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
F1 Bryophyte assemblage Unfavourable Recovering — 2015-02-23
F2 Lichen assemblage Unfavourable Recovering — 2017-11-01
F3 Upland oak woodland Favourable — 2009-08-26

Habitats

Carr, Coppiced woodland, Fast flowing river and stream

Description

HELLS GLEN Hells Glen lies approximately 4 km north of Lochgoilhead and comprises an ancient native deciduous woodland which supports a number of nationally important lower plant communities. The woodlands are dominated by oak together with birch and rowan. Ash and wych elm occur along the stream-sides and additional variety is provided by areas of old hazel coppice and wet areas with willow carr. The bryophyte (mosses and liverworts) feature of interest on the site is the well developed assemblage of Atlantic species. Of special note are populations of the liverwort Plagiochila atlantica and moss Hageniella micans, which are otherwise scarce in the UK. The site also supports a particularly well developed community of Atlantic lichens that grow on trees with acid bark and includes species that are nationally rare or scarce such as Heterodermia japonica and Micarea stipitata.

Species mentioned

English name
search for this in other sites		 Latin name
search with Google		 IUCN / Red List Type Family
western featherwort Plagiochila atlantica Not listed in GB list liverwort jungermanniales
moss Hageniella micans VU moss pylaisiadelphaceae

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