Ushat Head
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Condition (NatureScot)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Maritime cliff | Favourable | — | 2010-02-05 |
Climate exposure
This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.
Coastal habitats are exposed to sea-level rise and storm erosion. Where hard sea defences sit behind them, there's nowhere landward to retreat to — a squeeze that keeps compressing the habitat no matter how well it's managed.
Geology & landscape
Landscape processes: Coastal
Description
Ushat Head Ushat Head Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is a low exposed headland, approximately 9km northwest of Thurso on the north coast of Caithness. It is of particular botanical importance for its maritime heath, which is a northern, species-rich type of heathland that is found only in Caithness, Sutherland and Orkney. There is a good representation of species-rich maritime heath communities in a mosaic with maritime grassland. Heathers and creeping willow Salix repens are the main dwarf shrubs. The rare Scottish primrose Primula scotica and small-fruited yellow sedge Carex viridula are found at Ushat Head SSSI. roseroot Sedum rosea and kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria are abundant, along with the maritime species, spring squill Scilla verna, sea campion Silene uniflora and sea plantain Plantago maritima.
Species mentioned
Show the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lady's fingers (kidney vetch) | Anthyllis vulneraria | NT | herb | fabaceae |
| sea plantain | Plantago maritima | LC | herb | plantaginaceae |
| Scottish primrose | Primula scotica | NT | herb | primulaceae |
| spring squill | Scilla verna | LC | herb | liliaceae |
| golden root | Sedum rosea | Not listed in GB list | herb | crassulaceae |
| sea campion | Silene uniflora | LC | herb | carophyllaceae |
| green sedge | Carex viridula | LC | sedge | cyperaceae |
| creeping willow | Salix repens | NT | tree shrub | salicaceae |