Knockfin Heights
Condition (NatureScot)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Blanket bog | Favourable | — | 2010-03-25 |
Climate exposure
This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.
Peat habitats store centuries of carbon and depend on a stable, waterlogged water table. Warmer, drier summers dry out peat, making it far more vulnerable to wildfire and to carbon release — a pressure that can undo years of restoration work regardless of how well the site is otherwise managed.
Habitats
Geology & landscape
Landscape processes: Peatland / Mire
Description
KNOCKFIN HEIGHTS Knockfin Heights Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is located on the Caithness-Sutherland boundary, 4km east of Kinbrace and is nationally important as an example of high altitude blanket bog. It lies in the south-eastern part of the internationally important peatlands that extend across Caithness and Sutherland which are one of the largest tracts of blanket bog in the world. The peatlands of the Knockfin Heights SSSI have formed over an extensive upland plateau, at an altitude of 440m, descending gradually eastwards to 240m at the source of the Berriedale Water. To the west, the ground falls away steeply to the Strath of Kildonan. Most of the site lies between 300m and 400m. The area supports the most extensive area of bog pool development on upland blanket peat in Scotland. Many of the pools have merged to form dubh lochans up to a few hundred metres in length. Subsequent erosion has caused many of these lochans and pools to drain. Revegetation of the exposed ground, which is often mineral, is now taking place. The blanket bog vegetation between the pools is dominated by deer sedge Trichophorum cespitosum, heather Calluna vulgaris and cotton grass Eriophorum species. Bell heather Erica cinerea characteristically grows on the well-drained peat hags which are dominated by woolly fringe moss Racomitrium lanuginosum and Cladonia lichens. The unusual bog moss Sphagnum fuscum occurs intermittently throughout the plateau area, together with Sphagnum magellanicum and the nationally scarce S. austinii.
Species mentioned
Show the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| wooly fringe moss | Racomitrium lanuginosum | LC | moss | grimmiales |
| rusty bog moss | Sphagnum fuscum | LC | moss | sphagnales |
| Magellanic bog moss | Sphagnum magellanicum | Not listed in GB list | moss | sphagnales |
| deergrass, deer sedge | Trichophorum cespitosum | LC | sedge | cyperaceae |
| bell heather or ling | Calluna vulgaris | NT | shrub dwarf | ericaceae |
| bell heather | Erica cinerea | NT | shrub dwarf | ericaceae |
Plant communities
CG12 — Alpine and subalpine calcareous grassland, High montane heath and snow bed
Festuca ovina-Alchemilla alpina-Silene acaulis dwarf-herb community
Show 125 indicator speciesEmpetrum nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Kalmia procumbens, Vaccinium myrtillus, Salix herbacea, Carex bigelowii, Carex demissa, Carex panicea, Carex pilulifera, Carex pulicaris, Juncus trifidus, Juncus triglumis, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Luzula spicata, Luzula sylvatica, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Andreaea alpina, Aulacomnium turgidum, Bartramia ithyphylla, Breutelia chrysocoma, Mnium hornum, Dicranum scoparium, Ditrichum flexicaule, Racomitrium canescens sens.lat., Racomitrium fasciculare, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum hamulosum, Lescuraea incurvata, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sanionia uncinata, Thuidium delicatulum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Pogonatum urnigerum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Tortella tortuosa, Barbilophozia hatcheri, Barbilophozia lycopodioides, Diplophyllum albicans, Frullania tamarisci, Nardia scalaris, Plagiochila asplenioides, Ptilidium ciliare, Scapania subalpina, Tritomaria quinquedentata, Cetraria islandica, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia gracilis, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia uncialis, Peltigera canina, Achillea millefolium, Antennaria dioica, Gnaphalium supinum, Hieraclium spp., Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Solidago virgaurea, Taraxacum officianalis, Myosotis alpestris, Cardamine pratensis, Draba norvegica, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium alpinum, Cerastium fontanum, Minuartia sedoides, Sagina saginoides, Silene acaulis, Sedum rosea, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Thymus praecox, Linum catharticum, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Euphrasia frigida, Euphrasia officinalis, Oxalis acetosella, Plantago maritima, Veronica alpina, Veronica officinalis, Veronica serpyllifolia, Armeria maritima, Polygonum viviparum, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Thalictrum alpinum, Trollius europaeus, Alchemilla alpina, Alchemilla filicaulis, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Potentilla crantzii, Potentilla erecta, Sibbaldia procumbens, Galium boreale, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga aizoides, Saxifraga hypnoides, Saxifraga nivalis, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Saxifraga stellaris, Viola lutea, Viola palustris, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Festuca vivipara, Nardus stricta, Poa pratensis, Botrychium lunaria
M1 — Blanket bog, Raised bog
Sphagnum auriculatum bog pool community
Show 30 indicator speciesErica tetralix, Myrica gale, Carex limosa, Eriophorum angustifolium, Rhynchospora alba, Rhynchospora fusca, Trichophorum cespitosum, Eleocharis multicaulis, Juncus bulbosus, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum cuspidatum, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum pulchrum, Sphagnum subnitens, Cladopodiella fluitans, Gymnocolea inflata, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Drosera anglica, Drosera intermedia, Drosera rotundifolia, Utricularia intermedia, Utricularia minor, Menyanthes trifoliata, Narthecium ossifragum, Potamogeton polygonifolius, Scheuchzeria palustris, Molinia caerulea
M2 — Blanket bog, Raised bog, Valley mire
Sphagnum cuspidatum/recurvum bog pool community
Show 37 indicator speciesEmpetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Andromeda polifolia, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Carex canescens, Carex magellanica, Carex rostrata, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Rhynchospora alba, Aulacomnium palustre, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum strictum, Sphagnum cuspidatum, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum pulchrum, Sphagnum tenellum, Cephalozia connivens, Cephalozia lunulifolia, Gymnocolea inflata, Mylia anomala, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia uncialis, Drosera anglica, Drosera intermedia, Drosera rotundifolia, Menyanthes trifoliata, Narthecium ossifragum, Agrostis canina, Deschampsia flexuosa, Molinia caerulea
M3 — Blanket bog, Raised bog
Eriophorum angustifolium bog pool community
Show 15 indicator speciesEmpetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Erica tetralix, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Campylopus brevipilus, Drepanocladus fluitans, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum cuspidatum, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum papillosum, Gymnocolea inflata, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Drosera rotundifolia, Agrostis canina, Molinia caerulea
M15 — Blanket bog, Raised bog, Upland wet heath
Scirpus cespitosus-Erica tetralix wet heath
Show 95 indicator speciesEmpetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Vaccinium myrtillus, Carex binervis, Carex demissa, Carex dioica, Carex echinata, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pilulifera, Carex pulicaris, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Schoenus nigricans, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus bulbosus, Juncus conglomeratus, Juncus effusus, Juncus squarrosus, Luzula multiflora, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Aulacomnium palustre, Breutelia chrysocoma, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus atrovirens, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum scoparium, Leucobryum glaucum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Scorpidium revolvens, Scorpidium scorpioides, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum compactum, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum tenellum, Calypogeia fissa, Calypogeia muelleriana, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophozia ventricosa, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Pleurozia purpurea, Aneura pinguis, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia uncialis, Succisa pratensis, Drosera anglica, Drosera rotundifolia, Hypericum pulchrum, Triglochin palustre, Pinguicula vulgaris, Menyanthes trifoliata, Narthecium ossifragum, Dactylorhiza maculata, Euphrasia officinalis, Pedicularis palustris, Pedicularis sylvatica, Polygala serpyllifolia, Trientalis europaea, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Viola palustris, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Festuca vivipara, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum
M17 — Blanket bog
Scirpus cespitosus-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire
Show 78 indicator speciesEmpetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Vaccinium myrtillus, Carex demissa, Carex echinata, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Rhynchospora alba, Schoenus nigricans, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus squarrosus, Luzula multiflora, Huperzia selago, Aulacomnium palustre, Breutelia chrysocoma, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus atrovirens, Campylopus flexuosus, Campylopus setifolius, Campylopus shawii, Dicranum scoparium, Leucobryum glaucum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum strictum, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum cuspidatum, Sphagnum imbricatum, Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum strictum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum tenellum, Calypogeia fissa, Diplophyllum albicans, Kurzia pauciflora, Lophozia ventricosa, Mylia anomala, Mylia taylorii, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Pleurozia purpurea, Ptilidium ciliare, Scapania gracilis, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia uncialis, Cornicularia aculeata, Drosera anglica, Drosera rotundifolia, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Pinguicula vulgaris, Narthecium ossifragum, Pedicularis sylvatica, Polygala serpyllifolia, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Agrostis canina, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta
M18 — Blanket bog, Raised bog
Erica tetralix-Sphagnum papillosum raised and blanket mire
Show 54 indicator speciesEmpetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Andromeda polifolia, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Rhynchospora alba, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus squarrosus, Aulacomnium palustre, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum scoparium, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum strictum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum cuspidatum, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum fuscum, Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum pulchrum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum tenellum, Calypogeia muelleriana, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Cephalozia connivens, Cladopodiella fluitans, Kurzia pauciflora, Lophozia ventricosa, Mylia anomala, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Hypogymnia physodes, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia gracilis, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia uncialis, Drosera anglica, Drosera rotundifolia, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Narthecium ossifragum, Rubus chamaemorus, Deschampsia flexuosa, Molinia caerulea
M19 — Blanket bog, Raised bog
Calluna vulgaris-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire
Show 84 indicator speciesEmpetrum nigrum, Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Betula nana, Arctostaphylos alpinus, Vaccinium microcarpum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Vaccinium uliginosum, Carex bigelowii, Carex binervis, Carex nigra, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus squarrosus, Luzula sylvatica, Huperzia selago, Aulacomnium palustre, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum fuscescens, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum strictum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum compactum, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum fuscum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum russowii, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum tenellum, Barbilophozia floerkei, Calypogeia fissa, Calypogeia muelleriana, Calypogeia trichomanis, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Diplophyllum albicans, Kurzia pauciflora, Lophozia ventricosa, Mylia anomala, Mylia taylorii, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Ptilidium ciliare, Hypogymnia physodes, Cetraria islandica, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia bellidiflora, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia floerkeana, Cladonia gracilis, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia squamosa, Cladonia tenuis, Cladonia uncialis, Cornicularia aculeata, Cornus suecica, Drosera rotundifolia, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Pinguicula vulgaris, Narthecium ossifragum, Neottia cordata, Potentilla erecta, Rubus chamaemorus, Galium saxatile, Melanpyrum pratense, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca vivipara, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Blechnum spicant
M20 — Blanket bog, Raised bog, Valley mire
Eriophorum vaginatum blanket and raised mire
Show 43 indicator speciesEmpetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus, Carex bigelowii, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus squarrosus, Orthodontium lineare, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum scoparium, Drepanocladus fluitans, Hypnum jutlandicum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fuscum, Sphagnum papillosum, Barbilophozia floerkei, Calypogeia muelleriana, Calypogeia trichomanis, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Cephaloziella hampeana, Diplophyllum albicans, Gymnocolea inflata, Kurzia pauciflora, Lophozia ventricosa, Mylia taylorii, Ptilidium ciliare, Cetraria islandica, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia floerkeana, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia squamosa, Cladonia uncialis, Cornicularia aculeata, Rubus chamaemorus, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina
M25 — Blanket bog, Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland fen, Purple moor grass and rush pasture, Upland acid grassland
Molinia caerulea-Potentilla erecta mire
Show 85 indicator speciesSalix cinerea, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Carex echinata, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Eriophorum angustifolium, Schoenus nigricans, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Juncus subnodulosus, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Aulacomnium palustre, Pohlia nutans, Calliergon giganteum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Hypnum jutlandicum, Kindbergia praelonga, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Calypogeia fissa, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Lophocolea bidentata, Lophozia ventricosa, Angelica sylvestris, Carum verticillatum, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Achillea ptarmica, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium palustre, Eupatorium cannabinum, Pulicaria dysenterica, Serratula tinctoria, Cardamine pratensis, Lobelia urens, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Equisetum palustre, Lotus pedunculatus, Hypericum pulchrum, Hypericum tetrapterum, Mentha aquatica, Scutellaria minor, Menyanthes trifoliata, Narthecium ossifragum, Epilobium palustre, Dactylorhiza maculata, Rumex acetosa, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus flammula, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium palustre, Viola palustris, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis curtisii, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Phragmites australis, Dryopteris carthusiana, Osmunda regalis
U7 — High montane heath and snow bed
Nardus stricta-Carex bigelowii grass-heath
Show 74 indicator speciesEmpetrum nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium uliginosum, Salix herbacea, Carex bigelowii, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pilulifera, Eriophorum vaginatum, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus squarrosus, Juncus trifidus, Luzula multiflora, Luzula sylvatica, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Huperzia selago, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum fuscescens, Dicranum scoparium, Kiaeria starkei, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum juniperinum, Polytrichum piliferum, Polytrichum strictum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Anastrepta orcadensis, Anastrophyllum donianum, Barbilophozia floerkei, Barbilophozia hatcheri, Bazzania tricrenata, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophozia sudetica, Pleurozia purpurea, Ptilidium ciliare, Scapania gracilis, Scapania nemorea, Cetraria delisei, Cetraria islandica, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia bellidiflora, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia gracilis, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia leucophaea, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia rangiferina, Cladonia tenuis, Cladonia uncialis, Gnaphalium supinum, Solidago virgaurea, Cornus suecica, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Thymus praecox, Narthecium ossifragum, Rumex acetosa, Alchemilla alpina, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Viola palustris, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis vinealis, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Nardus stricta
U8 — High montane heath and snow bed
Carex bigelowii-Polytrichum alpinum sedge-heath
Show 39 indicator speciesVaccinium myrtillus, Salix herbacea, Carex bigelowii, Juncus trifidus, Luzula spicata, Huperzia selago, Pohlia nutans, Dicranum fuscescens, Dicranum scoparium, Racomitrium canescens sens.lat., Racomitrium fasciculare, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Sanionia uncinata, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Sphagnum compactum, Ptilidium ciliare, Cetraria delisei, Cetraria islandica, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia bellidiflora, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia floerkeana, Cladonia gracilis, Cladonia macrophylla, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia rangiferina, Cladonia squamosa, Cladonia uncialis, Cornicularia aculeata, Ochrolechia frigida, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga stellaris, Agrostis capillaris, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Nardus stricta
U9 — High montane heath and snow bed
Juncus trifidus-Racomitrium lanuginosum rush-heath
Show 47 indicator speciesEmpetrum nigrum, Kalmia procumbens, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium uliginosum, Salix herbacea, Carex bigelowii, Carex pilulifera, Juncus trifidus, Luzula spicata, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Huperzia selago, Dicranum fuscescens, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Pleurozium schreberi, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Polytrichum piliferum, Barbilophozia floerkei, Diplophyllum albicans, Ptilidium ciliare, Cetraria delisei, Cetraria islandica, Cetraria nivalis, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia bellidiflora, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia crispata, Cladonia gracilis, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia rangiferina, Cladonia uncialis, Cornicularia aculeata, Ochrolechia frigida, Sphaerophorus globosus, Stereocaulon vesuvianum, Thamnolia vermicularis, Silene acaulis, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Armeria maritima, Polygonum viviparum, Alchemilla alpina, Galium saxatile, Agrostis capillaris, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Nardus stricta, Nitella flexilis
U10 — High montane heath and snow bed, Lowland dry acid grassland, Upland dry heath
Carex bigelowii-Racomitrium lanuginosum moss-heath
Show 82 indicator speciesEmpetrum nigrum, Kalmia procumbens, Vaccinium myrtillus, Salix herbacea, Carex bigelowii, Carex panicea, Carex pilulifera, Juncus squarrosus, Juncus trifidus, Luzula spicata, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Andreaea alpina, Aulacomnium turgidum, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum fuscescens, Dicranum scoparium, Kiaeria starkei, Racomitrium fasciculare, Racomitrium heterostichum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum hamulosum, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Sanionia uncinata, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Polytrichum juniperinum, Polytrichum longisetum, Polytrichum piliferum, Polytrichum strictum, Anastrepta orcadensis, Diplophyllum albicans, Nardia scalaris, Ptilidium ciliare, Alectoria nigricans, Cetraria islandica, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia cervicornis, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia crispata, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia gracilis, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia rangiferina, Cladonia squamosa, Cladonia uncialis, Cornicularia aculeata, Ochrolechia frigida, Peltigera canina, Sphaerophorus globosus, Thamnolia vermicularis, Achillea millefolium, Antennaria dioica, Gnaphalium supinum, Solidago virgaurea, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Minuartia sedoides, Silene acaulis, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Thymus praecox, Armeria maritima, Polygonum viviparum, Rumex acetosa, Alchemilla alpina, Potentilla erecta, Sibbaldia procumbens, Galium saxatile, Viola palustris, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis vinealis, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Nardus stricta
U11 — High montane heath and snow bed, Lowland dry acid grassland, Upland dry heath
Polytrichum sexangulare-Kiaeria starkei snow-bed
Show 49 indicator speciesEmpetrum nigrum, Salix herbacea, Carex bigelowii, Juncus trifidus, Huperzia selago, Conostomum tetragonum, Pohlia drummondii, Pohlia ludwigii, Pohlia nutans, Dicranum fuscescens, Kiaeria falcata, Kiaeria starkei, Racomitrium canescens sens.lat., Racomitrium fasciculare, Racomitrium heterostichum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Oligotrichum hercynicum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Polytrichastrum sexangulare, Anthelia juratzkana, Barbilophozia floerkei, Lophozia sudetica, Marsupella emarginata, Moerckia blyttii, Nardia scalaris, Pleurocladula albescens, Cetraria islandica, Cladonia bellidiflora, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia uncialis, Solorina crocea, Gnaphalium supinum, Cerastium cerastoides, Silene acaulis, Alchemilla alpina, Sibbaldia procumbens, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga stellaris, Viola palustris, Agrostis capillaris, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca vivipara, Nardus stricta, Cryptogramma crispa, Blechnum spicant, Athyrium distentifolium
U12 — High montane heath and snow bed, Upland dry heath
Salix herbacea-Racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed
Show 42 indicator speciesSalix herbacea, Carex bigelowii, Juncus trifidus, Luzula spicata, Huperzia selago, Andreaea rupestris, Conostomum tetragonum, Pohlia nutans, Dicranum scoparium, Kiaeria starkei, Racomitrium fasciculare, Racomitrium heterostichum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Oligotrichum hercynicum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Polytrichastrum sexangulare, Polytrichum piliferum, Barbilophozia floerkei, Diplophyllum albicans, Gymnomitrion concinnatum, Gymnomitrion corallioides, Lophozia sudetica, Marsupella brevissima, Nardia scalaris, Cetraria delisei, Cetraria islandica, Cladonia bellidiflora, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia gracilis, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia uncialis, Cornicularia aculeata, Ochrolechia frigida, Gnaphalium supinum, Silene acaulis, Alchemilla alpina, Galium saxatile, Agrostis canina, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Nardus stricta
U13 — High montane heath and snow bed, Upland dry heath
Deschampsia cespitosa-Galium saxatile grassland
Show 69 indicator speciesVaccinium myrtillus, Salix herbacea, Carex bigelowii, Carex pilulifera, Luzula multiflora, Luzula sylvatica, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Pohlia nutans, Kiaeria starkei, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sanionia uncinata, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum russowii, Anastrepta orcadensis, Barbilophozia floerkei, Barbilophozia lycopodioides, Nardia scalaris, Ptilidium ciliare, Cetraria islandica, Cladonia gracilis, Peltigera canina, Achillea millefolium, Gnaphalium supinum, Saussurea alpina, Campanula rotundifolia, Cerastium alpinum, Cerastium fontanum, Minuartia sedoides, Silene acaulis, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Thymus praecox, Euphrasia frigida, Oxalis acetosella, Armeria maritima, Polygonum viviparum, Rumex acetosa, Ranunculus acris, Alchemilla alpina, Alchemilla filicaulis, Alchemilla glabra, Potentilla erecta, Sibbaldia procumbens, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga hypnoides, Saxifraga stellaris, Viola palustris, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Nardus stricta, Blechnum spicant, Dryopteris dilatata
U14 — High montane heath and snow bed, Upland dry heath
Alchemilla alpina-Sibbaldia procumbens dwarf-herb community
Show 76 indicator speciesVaccinium myrtillus, Salix herbacea, Carex bigelowii, Carex pilulifera, Juncus trifidus, Luzula multiflora, Luzula spicata, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Andreaea alpina, Pohlia nutans, Dicranum scoparium, Racomitrium aquaticum, Racomitrium canescens sens.lat., Racomitrium fasciculare, Racomitrium heterostichum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sanionia uncinata, Oligotrichum hercynicum, Pogonatum urnigerum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Polytrichum piliferum, Barbilophozia floerkei, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophozia sudetica, Nardia scalaris, Ptilidium ciliare, Cetraria islandica, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia bellidiflora, Cladonia pyxidata, Achillea millefolium, Gnaphalium supinum, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Campanula rotundifolia, Cerastium alpinum, Cerastium fontanum, Minuartia sedoides, Sagina saginoides, Silene acaulis, Thymus praecox, Euphrasia officinalis, Armeria maritima, Polygonum viviparum, Rumex acetosa, Ranunculus acris, Thalictrum alpinum, Trollius europaeus, Alchemilla alpina, Alchemilla filicaulis, Alchemilla glabra, Potentilla erecta, Sibbaldia procumbens, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga hypnoides, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Saxifraga stellaris, Viola palustris, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Nardus stricta, Blechnum spicant, Botrychium lunaria