Stanner Rocks
Also within
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, Volcanic / Igneous
Description
Description This site consists of relict broadleaved woodland, planted broadleaved and coniferous woodland and grassland situated on doleritic cliffs. It is of exceptional botanical interest, containing several species which are exceedingly rare in Britain and which are of a continental European or Mediterranean distribution. The cliff grassland is subject to summer drought and maintains open plant communities. The base-rich igneous outcrops support such plants as common rock-rose Helianthemum nummularium and rock stonecrop Sedum forsterianum, as well as national rarities such as perennial knawel Scleranthus perennis and sticky catchfly Silene viscaria. Leached areas support calcifuges such as sheep’s-bit Jasione montana. The woodland and cliffs also support an interesting bryophyte and lichen flora. Remarks: 5.3 hectares of the site form the Stanner Rocks National Nature Reserve, which was declared in February 1981.
Species mentioned
Show the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| rock roses | Helianthemum nummularium | VU | herb | cistaceae |
| sheep's bit | Jasione montana | VU | herb | campanulaceae |
| perennial knawel | Scleranthus perennis | CR | herb | carophyllaceae |
| sticky catchfly | Silene viscaria | NT | herb | carophyllaceae |