De Porth Sain Ffraid / St Bride's Bay South

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 51.7569, -5.1788

Open in the interactive map →

Also within

Dyfed County Arfordir Penfro / Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Climate exposure

This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.

Coastal

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.

Habitats

Atlantic oak wood, Bracken scrub, Coastal vegetated shingle, Lowland dry heath, Mixed scrub, Montane scrub

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: Cave / Cavern, Geological Fault, Rock Outcrop · Geological Period: Carboniferous, Devonian, Ordovician, Precambrian, Silurian · Rock Type: Sandstone

Landscape processes: Coastal, Karst, Volcanic / Igneous

Description

Description The site is of special interest for its rocky and sandy shore marine communities, including rock pool, cave and overhang communities, for grey seals Halichoerus grypus, ancient sessile oak woodland and its geology. This site stretches for approximately 13 km from Martin’s Haven in the south-west, to Little Haven in the north-east, and is located approximately 10 km south-west of the town of Haverfordwest. This indented coastline encompasses rocky platforms with steep vertical cliffs ranging in height from 20 to 70 metres, interspersed with bays and beaches consisting of boulders, cobbles, shingle and/or coarse sand. The coastline between Musselwick Sands and Little Haven displays a series of complex folds and faults in Palaeozoic sedimentary rocks, except between Foxes’ Hole and Musselwick Bay where there is a fault-bounded block of Precambrian igneous rock. The structural features were mainly formed 300-270 million years ago. Some of the faults are, however, the result of rejuvenation of much older, deep-seated fractures in the crust. Soils along the cliff top are mostly of acid brown earth type, loamy in character, with gleying in waterlogged areas. On the outcrop of the igneous rock they are often more peaty, almost podsolic, in nature. GEOLOGY Variscan Structures Musselwick Bay: Cliff and foreshore outcrops provide critical exposures of the Johnston Thrust, one of the most important structures formed during the Variscan mountain building episode (orogeny) in South Wales. The Johnston Thrust is a major, gently inclined plane of dislocation. Beneath this thrust, sandstones and shales of Carboniferous age have been deformed into tight, inclined folds and dissected by a series of minor thrusts and faults. Above the thrust plane are igneous rocks of the Precambrian Johnston Group which are much older than the Carboniferous rocks beneath and formerly were part of the 'basement' upon which the Carboniferous and other Palaeozoic rocks were deposited. During the Variscan Orogeny, intense compression caused the crust to distort and fracture producing deep-seated, flat-lying dislocations such as the Johnston Thrust. Continued compression caused massive displacements on such thrusts, resulting in the stacking of older and formerly deeper rocks on top of younger strata. This is a nationally important locality for the study of the Variscan Orogenic Belt. Mill Haven: This site provides excellent exposures of the Benton Fault, an important crustal dislocation thought to have played an active part in the Upper Palaeozoic evolution of this region for perhaps 200 million years. The fault currently separates Devonian Old Red Sandstone strata from much older Precambrian igneous rocks of the Johnston Group. However, this is thought to disguise a complex history of movement involving phases of downward displacement of the crust during deposition of the Palaeozoic succession forming in a basinal area on the south side of the fault. A thick and continuous succession accumulated in this basin whilst the uplifted block to the north only received an intermittent and restricted supply of sediment. During the Variscan mountain building episode (orogeny), movement on the Benton Fault is thought to have taken place in the reverse direction as a result of intense compression, but the amount of this displacement, however, varies considerably from east to west along the fault. This is a critical locality exposing one of the most important structures of the Variscan orogenic belt in South Wales. Musselwick Sands: Cliff and foreshore outcrops within this site provide important exposures of the Musselwick Fault, an important dislocation formed during the Variscan mountain building episode (orogeny). The fault here consists of a steeply dipping zone with a number of separate dislocation planes and contains an isolated slice of rock strata, probably part of the Silurian Gray Sandstone Group. Beneath the fault are Devonian, Old Red Sandstone strata, whilst above are much older Ordovician Llandeilo Flags. During the Variscan Orogeny, intense compression caused the crust to distort and fracture producing deep-seated dislocations such as the Musselwick Fault. Continued compression caused massive displacement on these faults, estimated in this case at about 1,500 metres, resulting in the stacking of older and formerly deeper rocks on top of younger strata. This outcrop of the Musselwick Fault is now recognised as the surface expression of a major thrust fault at depth, the counterpart of the Ritec Fault in eastern Pembrokeshire, making this a very important locality for the study of the Variscan Orogenic Belt. BIOLOGY The majority of this shoreline has a northwesterly or westerly aspect and is exposed to considerable wind and wave action. The north-eastern part of the site has a more northerly aspect and is subject to slightly less exposure. The shore alternates between stretches of gently sloping bedrock, sometimes with pinnacles and platforms, and boulder shores with cobbles and pebbles, or sandy beaches. The cliffs reach a height of 70 m and are unstable in places. The lower shore is dominated by kelps along much of the site, mainly Laminaria digitata and furbellows Saccorhiza polyschides. Dabberlocks Alaria esculenta is more common where wave exposure is greater. There is an understorey of encrusting and filamentous red algae in places, often with serrated wrack Fucus serratus and patches of the mussel Mytilus edulis. In other parts of the site, this zone supports a mixture of red algae, including dulse Palmaria palmata and pepper dulse Osmundea pinnatifida, caragheen moss Mastocarpus stellatus and coral weed Corallina officinalis, or brown algae such as thong weed Himanthalia elongata and serrated wrack, sometimes as single species bands. A number of animal species are found underneath boulders at Borough Head, including butterfish Pholis gunnelis, broadclawed porcelain crab Porcellana platycheles, saddle oysters Anomidae indet. and sea urchin Psammechinus miliaris. The mid-shore bedrock supports an encrusting fauna of barnacles Semibalanus balanoides, Chthamalus spp. and limpets Patella spp., with bladder wrack Fucus vesiculosus (including the non-vesiculate variety linearis) and channelled wrack Pelvetia canaliculata. Many rockpools contain specialised communities of plants and animals. Rockpools in the bedrock areas include those dominated by coralline algae, fucoid algae, kelps and sometimes the brown alga Bifurcaria bifurcata. Some rockpools have sediment floors, with algae such as Ahnfeltia plicata and Furcellaria lumbricalis. Shaded overhangs support rich, specialised communities of red algae and sponges. Gullies support encrusting coralline algae. Shaded areas at Musselwick have rich communities of red algae, including Plumaria plumosa and Cryptopleura ramosa; the purse sponges Grantia compressa and Sycon ciliatum, breadcrumb sponge Halichondria panicea; and seasquirts. Barnacles, limpets and bladder wrack tend to dominate the upper shore, above which is an intermittent band of pygmy lichen Lichina pygmaea, the black tar lichen Verrucaria maura and then yellow and grey lichens (such as Caloplaca spp. and sea ivory Ramalina sp.) in the splash zone. Caves at the back of the beaches at Falling Cliff and Musselwick contain the red algae Rhodothamniella sp. and Catenella caespitosa. Boulder and shingle beaches tend to show the same zonation as the cliffs, but with wider bands of barnacles, fucoids and thong weed. Coarse, mobile sand at Musselwick Sands supports a community of crustaceans including the isopods and amphipods Eurydice pulchra, Haustorius arenarius and Bathyporeia spp. Sand at St Bride’s Haven in less coarse and supports polychaete worms such as lug worm Arenicola marina and cat worm Nephtys spp. Sand / bedrock interfaces at Musselwick Sands are colonised by ephemeral algae such as Enteromorpha spp. and Porphyra spp. The steep cliffs of Goultrop Roads support dense woodland of sessile oak Quercus petraea, extending down to the foreshore. It is the most extensive example of such sea-cliff woodland in West Wales outside of the Milford Haven waterway. Much of the oak is low-growing, with an understorey of hazel Corylus avellana, spindle Euonymus europaeus, ivy Hedera helix and honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum. Much of the field layer is dominated by great wood-rush Luzula sylvatica or fern species. More notable plants include wood spurge Euphorbia amygdaloides, sweet woodruff Galium odoratum, wild madder Rubia peregrina and sea spleenwort Asplenium marinum. Along the coast to the southwest, a wooded partial stack at Musselwick Sands is the most westerly semi-natural oak woodland in Wales. Elsewhere, the cliffs support ledge and crevice communities, with swathes of coastal grassland along their tops. Species include thrift Armeria maritima, sea plantain Plantago maritima, red fescue Festuca rubra, sea beet Beta vulgaris, sea campion Silene uniflora and common scurvygrass Cochlearia officinalis. Shorter turf supports buck’s-horn plantain Plantago coronopus, English stonecrop Sedum anglicum, rock sea-spurrey Spergularia rupicola and sheep’s-bit Jasione montana. Some sections of the cliff-top support bird’s-foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria, devil’s-bit scabious Succisa pratensis and sea mayweed Tripleurospermum maritimum. Where the grassland is less exposed, it tends to be more rank and often dominated by cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata or Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus. In these areas, saw-wort Serratula tinctoria, betony Betonica officinalis and common knapweed Centaurea nigra are frequent. Sheltered areas where soils are deeper support bracken Pteridium aquilinum and bramble Rubus fruticosus with an understorey of bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta. Sheltered gullies have patches of primrose Primula vulgaris. Coastal scrub consists mainly of common gorse Ulex europaeus, bramble and blackthorn Prunus spinosa. Coastal heath is limited in extent and dominated by heather Calluna vulgaris. Caves occur throughout this stretch of coast. These, along with some of the foreshore areas that are less accessible from land, are often used by grey seals Halichoerus grypus for breeding during autumn. This coastline regularly contributes small numbers of pups to the West Wales grey seal population. Remarks: The site lies entirely within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The site is a component part of Pembrokeshire Marine/Sir Benfro Fôrol Special Area of Conservation for its bays, reefs and grey seals. Grey seals are listed on Annex IIa of the EC Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora).

Species mentioned

English name
search for this in other sites		 Latin name
search with Google		 IUCN / Red List Type Family
dabberlocks Alaria esculenta Not listed in GB list algae brown alariaceae
tuning fork algae Bifurcaria bifurcata Not listed in GB list algae brown cystoseiraceae
serrated wrack Fucus serratus Not listed in GB list algae brown fucaceae
bladder wrack Fucus vesiculosus Not listed in GB list algae brown fucaceae
thong weed Himanthalia elongata Not listed in GB list algae brown himanthaliaceae
oar weed Laminaria digitata Not listed in GB list algae brown laminariaceae
channel wrack Pelvetia canaliculata Not listed in GB list algae brown fucaceae
furbellows Saccorhiza polyschides Not listed in GB list algae brown phyllariaceae
black scour weed Ahnfeltia plicata Not listed in GB list algae red ahnfeltiaceae
creeping chain weed Catenella caespitosa Not listed in GB list algae red caulacanthaceae
common coral weed Corallina officinalis Not listed in GB list algae red corallinaceae
fine veined crinkle weed Cryptopleura ramosa Not listed in GB list algae red delesseriaceae
clawed forkweed Furcellaria lumbricalis Not listed in GB list algae red furcellariaceae
grape pip weed Mastocarpus stellatus Not listed in GB list algae red phyllophoraceae
pepper dulse Osmundea pinnatifida Not listed in GB list algae red rhodomelaceae
dulse Palmaria palmata Not listed in GB list algae red palmariaceae
soft feather weed Plumaria plumosa Not listed in GB list algae red ceramiaceae
amphipod Bathyporeia Not listed in GB list amphipod bathyporeiidae
acorn barnacle Semibalanus balanoides Not listed in GB list barnacle archaeobalanidae
blue mussel Mytilus edulis LC bivalve mytilidae
broad-clawed porcelain crab Porcellana platycheles Not listed in GB list crustacean porcellanidae
sea spleenwort Asplenium marinum LC fern aspleniaceae
bracken Pteridium aquilinum LC fern dennstaedtiaceae
cock's foot Dactylis glomerata LC grass poaceae
red fescue Festuca rubra LC grass poaceae
Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus LC grass poaceae
lady's fingers (kidney vetch) Anthyllis vulneraria NT herb fabaceae
thrift Armeria maritima CR herb plumbaginaceae
betony Betonica officinalis VU herb lamiaceae
black knapweed Centaurea nigra LC herb asteraceae
scurvy grass Cochlearia officinalis LC herb brassicaceae
wood spurge Euphorbia amygdaloides LC herb euphorbiaceae
woodruff Galium odoratum LC herb rubiaceae
bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta LC herb liliaceae
sheep's bit Jasione montana VU herb campanulaceae
honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum LC herb caprifoliaceae
birdsfoot trefoil Lotus corniculatus LC herb fabaceae
buck's-horn plantain Plantago coronopus LC herb plantaginaceae
sea plantain Plantago maritima LC herb plantaginaceae
primrose Primula vulgaris LC herb primulaceae
madder Rubia peregrina LC herb rosaceae
bramble Rubus fruticosus LC herb rosaceae
English stonecrop Sedum anglicum LC herb crassulaceae
saw wort Serratula tinctoria VU herb asteraceae
sea campion Silene uniflora LC herb carophyllaceae
rock spurrey Spergularia rupicola LC herb carophyllaceae
devils-bit scabious Succisa pratensis VU herb caprifoliaceae
sea mayweed Tripleurospermum maritimum LC herb asteraceae
Lichina pygmaea LC lichen lichinaceae
sea tar Verrucaria maura Not listed in GB list lichen no common name
blow lugworm Arenicola marina Not listed in GB list polychaete arenicolidae
great wood rush Luzula sylvatica LC rush juncaceae
speckled sea louse Eurydice pulchra Not listed in GB list sea louse cirolanidae
green sea urchin Psammechinus miliaris LC sea urchin parechinidae
grey seal Halichoerus grypus None seal phocidae
gammarid Haustorius arenarius Not listed in GB list shrimp haustoriidae
spindle tree Euonymus europaeus LC shrub celastraceae
blackthorn Prunus spinosa LC shrub rosaceae
gorse Ulex europaeus LC shrub leguminosae
bell heather or ling Calluna vulgaris NT shrub dwarf ericaceae
purse sponge Grantia compressa Not listed in GB list sponge grantiidae
breadcomb sponge Halichondria panicea Not listed in GB list sponge halichondriidae
sponge Sycon ciliatum Not listed in GB list sponge sycettidae
hazel Corylus avellana LC tree corylaceae
sessile or durmast oak Quercus petraea LC tree fagaceae
ivy Hedera helix LC woody climber araliaceae

Plant communities

H1 — Lowland dry heath

Calluna vulgaris-Festuca ovina heath

Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Ulex europaeus, Carex arenaria, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranum scoparium, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Polytrichum juniperinum, Ptilidium ciliare, Hypogymnia physodes, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia coniocraea, Cladonia fimbriata, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia macilenta, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia squamosa, Cladonia tenuis, Cladonia uncialis, Cornicularia aculeata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Campanula rotundifolia, Cerastium fontanum, Teucrium scorodonia, Rumex acetosella, Galium saxatile, Agrostis capillaris, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Holcus lanatus, Pteridium aquilinum

H2 — Lowland dry heath

Calluna vulgaris-Ulex minor heath

Pinus sylvestris, Sorbus aucuparia, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Ulex minor, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum scoparium, Hypnum jutlandicum, Polytrichum juniperinum, Polytrichum piliferum, Kurzia spp., Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia fimbriata, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia impexa, Cuscuta epithymum, Genista anglica, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Agrostis canina, Agrostis curtisii, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Molinia caerulea, Pteridium aquilinum

H3 — Lowland dry heath, Lowland wet heath

Ulex minor-Agrostis curtisii heath

Quercus robur, Calluna vulgaris, Erica ciliaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Ulex europaeus, Ulex minor, Carex pilulifera, Schoenus nigricans, Campylopus brevipilus, Campylopus flexuosus, Leucobryum glaucum, Hypnum jutlandicum, Polytrichum juniperinum, Kurzia spp., Hypogymnia physodes, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia crispata, Cladonia floerkeana, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia uncialis, Cuscuta epithymum, Hypericum pulchrum, Polygala serpyllifolia, Potentilla erecta, Viola lactea, Agrostis curtisii, Danthonia decumbens, Molinia caerulea, Pteridium aquilinum, Zygogonium ericetorum

H4 — Lowland dry heath, Lowland wet heath, Upland dry heath

Ulex gallii-Agrostis curtisii heath

Salix repens, Calluna vulgaris, Erica ciliaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Erica vagans, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ulex gallii, Carex binervis, Carex flacca, Carex montana, Carex panicea, Carex pilulifera, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus squarrosus, Luzula multiflora, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus flexuosus, Campylopus introflexus, Dicranum scoparium, Leucobryum glaucum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum juniperinum, Calypogeia fissa, Calypogeia muelleriana, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Hypogymnia physodes, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia crispata, Cladonia fimbriata, Cladonia floerkeana, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia subcervicornis, Cladonia uncialis, Cuscuta epithymum, Lotus corniculatus, Thymus praecox, Pedicularis sylvatica, Polygala serpyllifolia, Polygala vulgaris, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Viola lactea, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis curtisii, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Pteridium aquilinum

H7 — Hard cliff and cliff slope, Lowland dry heath

Calluna vulgaris-Scilla verna heath

Salix repens, Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Erica vagans, Juniperus communis, Ulex europaeus, Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pulicaris, Carex serotina, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Selaginella selaginoides, Hypnum cupressiforme, Frullania tamarisci, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia rangiformis, Daucus carota, Achillea millefolium, Hypochaeris radicata, Leontodon saxatilis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Serratula tinctoria, Jasione montana, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium diffusum, Cerastium fontanum, Silene uniflora, Sedum anglicum, Anthyllis vulneraria, Astragalus danicus, Genista pilosa, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Centaurium erythraea, Thymus praecox, Scilla verna, Dactylorhiza purpurella, Euphrasia officinalis, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Polygala serpyllifolia, Polygala vulgaris, Rumex acetosa, Primula vulgaris, Filipendula vulgaris, Potentilla erecta, Galium verum, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Aira caryophyllea, Aira praecox, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Chara curta

H8 — Hard cliff and cliff slope, Lowland dry heath, Upland dry heath

Calluna vulgaris-Ulex gallii heath

Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Carex binervis, Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Carex pilulifera, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum scoparium, Hypnum cupressiforme, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum juniperinum, Polytrichum piliferum, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia squamosa, Hypochaeris radicata, Jasione montana, Lotus corniculatus, Hypericum pulchrum, Teucrium scorodonia, Thymus praecox, Scilla verna, Linum catharticum, Pedicularis sylvatica, Digitalis purpurea, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Polygala serpyllifolia, Rumex acetosella, Potentilla erecta, Poterium sanguisorba, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium saxatile, Galium verum, Viola lactea, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis curtisii, Agrostis stolonifera, Agrostis vinealis, Aira praecox, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Avenula pubescens, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Pteridium aquilinum, Chara curta

H11 — Lowland dry heath

Calluna vulgaris-Carex arenaria heath

Salix repens, Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ulex gallii, Rosa spinosissima, Carex arenaria, Luzula campestris, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus introflexus, Ceratodon purpureus, Dicranum scoparium, Racomitrium canescens sens.lat., Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Polytrichum juniperinum, Polytrichum piliferum, Lophocolea bidentata, Ptilidium ciliare, Hypogymnia physodes, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia crispata, Cladonia floerkeana, Cladonia foliacea, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia gracilis, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia rangiferina, Cladonia rangiformis, Cladonia subcervicornis, Cladonia uncialis, Cornicularia aculeata, Peltigera canina, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Pilosella officinarum, Teesdalia nudicaulis, Campanula rotundifolia, Jasione montana, Cerastium fontanum, Sedum anglicum, Lotus corniculatus, Ononis repens, Trifolium repens, Thymus praecox, Rumex acetosella, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Galium verum, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Aira caryophyllea, Aira praecox, Ammophila arenaria, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Poa pratensis

M14 — Lowland dry heath, Upland wet heath

Schoenus nigricans-Narthecium ossifragum mire

Pinus sylvestris, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Ulex gallii, Carex panicea, Eriophorum angustifolium, Rhynchospora alba, Schoenus nigricans, Eleocharis multicaulis, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus bulbosus, Ctenidium molluscum, Hypnum jutlandicum, Scorpidium revolvens, Scorpidium scorpioides, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum tenellum, Calypogeia fissa, Kurzia pauciflora, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Aneura pinguis, Riccardia multifida, Drosera intermedia, Drosera rotundifolia, Pinguicula lusitanica, Narthecium ossifragum, Pedicularis sylvatica, Polygala serpyllifolia, Anagallis tenella, Potentilla erecta, Molinia caerulea

MC6 — Coastal vegetated shingle, Hard cliff and cliff slope

Atriplex prostrata-Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima sea-bird cliff community

Daucus carota, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia officinalis, Silene uniflora, Spergularia rupicola, Atriplex hastata, Malva arborea, Plantago coronopus, Armeria maritima, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex crispus, Bromus hordeaceous, Catapodium marinum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra

SD1 — Coastal vegetated shingle, Sand dune

Rumex crispus-Glaucium flavum shingle community

Solanum dulcamara, Crithmum maritimum, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Helminthotheca echioides, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Lactuca serriola, Leontodon saxatilis, Senecio viscosus, Sonchus arvensis, Sonchus asper, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Crambe maritima, Cerastium fontanum, Honckenya peploides, Sagina apetala, Silene uniflora, Atriplex prostrata, Sedum acre, Euphorbia paralias, Lathyrus japonicus, Geranium robertianum, Glaucium flavum, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Rumex crispus, Potentilla anserina, Ammophila arenaria, Arrhenatherum elatius, Elytrigia atherica, Elytrigia juncea, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne

SD2 — Coastal vegetated shingle, Sand dune

Honkenya peploides-Cakile maritima strandline community

Salsola kali, Achillea millefolium, Cirsium arvense, Eryngium maritimum, Hypochaeris radicata, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus arvensis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cakile maritima, Cerastium diffusum, Honckenya peploides, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex glabriuscula, Atriplex laciniata, Atriplex littoralis, Atriplex patula, Atriplex prostrata, Sedum acre, Polygonum oxyspermum subsp. Raii, Rumex crispus, Potentilla anserina, Agrostis stolonifera, Ammophila arenaria, Arrhenatherum elatius, Elytrigia juncea, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Leymus arenarius, Poa annua

SD3 — Coastal vegetated shingle, Sand dune

Matricaria maritima-Galium aparine strandline community

Bolboschoenus maritimus, Juncus bufonius, Juncus gerardii, Ligusticum scoticum, Matricaria discoidea, Sonchus arvensis, Sonchus asper, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Mertensia maritima, Cakile maritima, Cochlearia officinalis, Honckenya peploides, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex glabriuscula, Atriplex patula, Atriplex prostrata, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Rumex crispus, Glaux maritima, Galium aparine, Agrostis stolonifera, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Leymus arenarius, Poa annua

W10 — Atlantic oak wood, Lowland dry oak and birch wood, Lowland mixed oak and ash wood, Wood pasture

Quercus robur-Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus woodland

Hedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Carpinus betulus, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Castanea sativa, Quercus hybrid, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur, Tilia cordata, Tilia x europaea, Fraxinus excelsior, Larix decidua, Pinus nigra, Pinus sylvestris, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Malus sylvestris, Prunus avium, Sorbus aucuparia, Alnus glutinosa, Populus tremula, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra, Sambucus nigra, Viburnum lantana, Viburnum opulus, Rhododendron ponticum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Cytisus scoparius, Ulex europaeus, Ligustrum vulgare, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Carex sylvatica, Juncus effusus, Luzula multiflora, Luzula pilosa, Luzula sylvatica, Mnium hornum, Plagiomnium rostratum, Plagiomnium undulatum, Ceratodon purpureus, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranoweisia cirrata, Dicranum scoparium, Amblystegium serpens, Brachythecium rutabulum, Eurhynchium striatum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Isothecium myosuroides, Kindbergia praelonga, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichum formosum, Lophocolea bidentata, Pellia epiphylla, Narcissus pseudonarcissus, Aegopodium podagraria, Anthriscus sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Sanicula europaea, Jacobaea vulgaris, Solidago virgaurea, Lonicera periclymenum, Silene dioica, Stellaria holostea, Stellaria media agg., Euphorbia amygdaloides, Mercurialis perennis, Corydalis claviculata, Geranium robertianum, Ajuga reptans, Glechoma hederacea, Lamiastrum galeobdolon, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Circaea lutetiana, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Veronica chamaedrys, Rumex acetosa, Rumex sanguineus, Lysimachia nemorum, Lysimachia nummularia, Primula vulgaris, Anemone nemorosa, Ficaria verna, Ranunculus repens, Fragaria vesca, Potentilla sterilis, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Galium odoratum, Galium saxatile, Melanpyrum pratense, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis ramosa, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Melica uniflora, Milium effusum, Poa nemoralis, Poa trivialis, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas, Thelypteris limbosperma, Athyrium filix-femina

W11 — Altantic hazel wood, Atlantic oak wood, Caledonian forest, Upland birch wood, Wood pasture

Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Oxalis acetosella woodland

Acer campestre, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus hybrid, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Larix decidua, Sorbus aucuparia, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Juniperus communis, Vaccinium myrtillus, Cytisus scoparius, Crataegus monogyna, Rubus saxatilis, Carex pilulifera, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Luzula pilosa, Luzula sylvatica, Mnium hornum, Plagiomnium affine, Plagiomnium undulatum, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Cirriphyllum piliferum, Eurhynchium striatum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Isothecium myosuroides, Kindbergia praelonga, Loeskeobryum brevirostre, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum formosum, Polytrichum longisetum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila asplenioides, Plagiochila spinulosa, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Campanula rotundifolia, Lonicera periclymenum, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Stellaria holostea, Pyrola minor, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Lathyrus montanus, Geranium robertianum, Hypericum pulchrum, Ajuga reptans, Teucrium scorodonia, Convallaria majalis, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Veronica chamaedrys, Veronica officinalis, Rumex acetosa, Lysimachia nemorum, Primula vulgaris, Trientalis europaea, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Galium saxatile, Melanpyrum pratense, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis vinealis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas, Thelypteris limbosperma, Athyrium filix-femina

W16 — Atlantic oak wood, Lowland dry oak and birch wood, Wood pasture

Quercus spp.-Betula spp.-Deschampsia flexuosa woodland

Hedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Castanea sativa, Quercus hybrid, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur, Pinus sylvestris, Sorbus aria, Sorbus aucuparia, Populus tremula, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Rhododendron ponticum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Frangula alnus, Crataegus monogyna, Luzula sylvatica, Mnium hornum, Orthodontium lineare, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus flexuosus, Campylopus pyriformis, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranodontium denudatum, Dicranoweisia cirrata, Dicranum fuscescens, Dicranum scoparium, Leucobryum glaucum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Isothecium myosuroides, Kindbergia praelonga, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium nemorale, Plagiothecium succulentum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Thuidium tamariscinum, Tetraphis pellucida, Barbilophozia attenuata, Barbilophozia floerkei, Calypogeia fissa, Calypogeia trichomanis, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Gymnocolea inflata, Lepidozia reptans, Lophocolea bidentata, Lophocolea heterophylla, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia coniocraea, Cladonia fimbriata, Cladonia polydactyla, Cladonia squamosa, Solidago virgaurea, Lonicera periclymenum, Corydalis claviculata, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Rumex acetosella, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium saxatile, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Molinia caerulea, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris dilatata

W17 — Altantic hazel wood, Atlantic oak wood, Caledonian forest, Upland birch wood, Wood pasture

Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Dicranum majus woodland

Hedera helix, Salix caprea, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus hybrid, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sorbus aucuparia, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Juniperus communis, Rhododendron ponticum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Crataegus monogyna, Carex pilulifera, Luzula multiflora, Luzula pilosa, Luzula sylvatica, Andreaea rupestris, Mnium hornum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranodontium denudatum, Dicranum fuscescens, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Dicranum scottianum, Leucobryum glaucum, Ptychomitrium polyphyllum, Racomitrium fasciculare, Racomitrium heterostichum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Eurhynchium striatum, Heterocladium heteropterum, Hylocomiastrum umbratum, Hylocomium armoricum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Isothecium myosuroides, Kindbergia praelonga, Loeskeobryum brevirostre, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sematophyllum demissum, Sematophyllum micans, Thuidium delicatulum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum formosum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fimbriatum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum russowii, Sphagnum subnitens, Tetraphis pellucida, Adelanthus decipiens, Anastrepta orcadensis, Barbilophozia attenuata, Barbilophozia floerkei, Bazzania tricrenata, Bazzania trilobata, Blepharostoma trichophyllum, Calypogeia fissa, Calypogeia muelleriana, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Diplophyllum albicans, Frullania tamarisci, Fuscocephaloziopsis lunulifolia, Harpanthus scutatus, Jamesoniella autumnalis, Jungermannia gracillima, Lepidozia pearsonii, Lepidozia reptans, Lophocolea bidentata, Lophocolea heterophylla, Lophozia ventricosa, Marsupella emarginata, Microlejeunea ulicina, Mylia taylorii, Nowellia curvifolia, Plagiochila asplenioides, Plagiochila atlantica, Plagiochila killarniensis, Plagiochila porelloides, Plagiochila punctata, Plagiochila spinulosa, Ptilidium ciliare, Saccogyna viticulosa, Scapania gracilis, Scapania nemorea, Scapania umbrosa, Tritomaria exsectiformis, Tritomaria quinquedentata, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia digitata, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia polydactyla, Cladonia squamosa, Cladonia squamules, Cladonia subcervicornis, Parmelia saxatilis, Sphaerophorus fragilis, Sphaerophorus globosus, Solidago virgaurea, Lonicera periclymenum, Succisa pratensis, Cornus suecica, Hypericum pulchrum, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Goodyera repens, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Rumex acetosa, Lysimachia nemorum, Trientalis europaea, Anemone nemorosa, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium saxatile, Melanpyrum pratense, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Agrostis vinealis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Molinia caerulea, Poa nemoralis, Poa pratensis, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris aemula, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas, Hymenophyllum tunbrigense, Hymenophyllum wilsonii, Polypodium vulgare, Thelypteris limbosperma, Athyrium filix-femina

W20 — Montane scrub

Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub

Salix arbuscula, Salix cinerea, Salix lapponum, Salix myrsinites, Salix phylicifolia, Salix reticulata, Empetrum nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Salix lanata, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium uliginosum, Carex atrata, Carex bigelowii, Carex binervis, Carex flacca, Luzula multiflora, Luzula sylvatica, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Aulacomnium palustre, Mnium hornum, Philonotis fontana, Plagiomnium undulatum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Dicranum bonjeanii, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Fissidens adianthoides, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Palustriella commutatum, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sanionia uncinata, Scorpidium revolvens, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum girgensohnii, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum russowii, Sphagnum squarrosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum teres, Barbilophozia barbata, Chiloscyphus polyanthos, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila porelloides, Ptilidium ciliare, Scapania undulata, Cladonia squamosa, Peltigera canina, Angelica sylvestris, Caltha palustris, Hieraclium spp., Saussurea alpina, Solidago virgaurea, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Rhodiola rosea, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Thymus praecox, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Dactylorhiza viridis, Euphrasia officinalis, Rhinanthus minor, Oxalis acetosella, Oxyria digyna, Polygonum viviparum, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Thalictrum alpinum, Alchemilla alpina, Alchemilla glabra, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Galium boreale, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga aizoides, Saxifraga hypnoides, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Saxifraga stellaris, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Nardus stricta, Dryopteris dilatata, Phegopteris connectilis

W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub

Hedera helix, Salix cinerea, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Malus sylvestris, Sorbus aria, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra, Ulmus procera, Sambucus nigra, Viburnum lantana, Euonymus europaeus, Cornus sanguinea, Juniperus communis, Ligustrum vulgare, Clematis vitalba, Rhamnus cathartica, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Juncus effusus, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhynchostegium confertum, Tamus communis, Heracleum sphondylium, Torilis japonica, Arum maculatum, Arctium minus, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Stellaria graminea, Stellaria holostea, Stellaria media agg., Calystegia sepium, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Iris foetidissima, Glechoma hederacea, Lamium purpureum, Origanum vulgare, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Allium ursinum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Circaea lutetiana, Rumex sanguineus, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus repens, Fragaria vesca, Geum urbanum, Potentilla sterilis, Poterium sanguisorba, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubia peregrina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Anisantha sterilis, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium pinnatum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis erecta, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris filix-mas

W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub

Hedera helix, Acer campestre, Corylus avellana, Ulex europaeus, Prunus spinosa, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Eurhynchium striatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Lophocolea bidentata, Achillea millefolium, Cardamine flexuosa, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum urbanum, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris filix-mas

W25 — Bracken scrub

Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus underscrub

Hedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sambucus nigra, Ulex europaeus, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Luzula multiflora, Mnium hornum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Arum maculatum, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Silene dioica, Stellaria holostea, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Glechoma hederacea, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Circaea lutetiana, Digitalis purpurea, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ficaria verna, Potentilla erecta, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Galium mollugo sens.lat., Galium saxatile, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas