Muckle Roe Meadows
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Condition (NatureScot)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Lowland neutral grassland | Favourable | — | 2022-10-31 |
| F2 | Vascular plant assemblage | Unfavourable Declining | — | 2023-11-27 |
Description
Muckle Roe Meadows Muckle Roe Meadows Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) comprises two separate areas in the north east of the island of Muckle Roe, off Shetland’s north-west mainland. It is notified for its species-rich meadow community dominated by populations of hawkweed. Muckle Roe Meadows SSSI provides a unique example in Shetland of a neutral grassland community with a strong maritime influence. Species include primrose Primula vulgaris, yellow-rattle Rhinanthus minor, devil’s-bit scabious Succisa pratensis and field gentian Gentianella campestris. These meadows support three endemic species (restricted to Shetland) of the genus Hieracium, or hawkweed. They contain the largest known population of H. vinicaule, in association with a small amount of H. subtruncatum and frequent H. klingrahoolense (formerly H. obesifolium). These all belong to the section Alpestria. A small number of a fourth hawkweed, H. sparsifolium (section Tridentata) also grows on the site. It is the only hawkweed of the four which occurs outside Shetland.
Species mentioned
Show the 4 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
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IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| field gentian | Gentianella campestris | LC | herb | gentianaceae |
| primrose | Primula vulgaris | LC | herb | primulaceae |
| yellow-rattle | Rhinanthus minor | DD | herb | orobanchaceae |
| devils-bit scabious | Succisa pratensis | VU | herb | caprifoliaceae |