Dale and South Marloes Coast

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 51.7117, -5.2047

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.

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: Geological Fault, Gorge / Ravine, Rock Outcrop · Geological Period: Carboniferous, Devonian, Ordovician, Silurian · Rock Type: Conglomerate, Sandstone

Landscape processes: Coastal, Fluvial, Glacial, Volcanic / Igneous

Description

Description The site is of special interest for its rocky and sandy shore marine communities, including rock pool and overhang communities,a nationally scarce green algal community on the upper shore fringes and a nationally scarce red alga Gigartina pistillata, grey seals Halichoerus grypus, maritime grassland and maritime heath, maritime cliff crevice and ledge vegetation, coastal scrub, its assemblage of nationally rare and scarce lichens, the golden hair lichen Teloschistes flavicans, the scaly cricket Pseudomogoplistes vicentae, as an important feeding and roosting area for chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax, for the nationally rare shore dock Rumex rupestris, the rare prostrate broom Cytisus scoparius ssp maritimus, an assemblage of nationally rare and scarce plants, and its geology. This site stretches for approximately 12 km from Martin’s Haven in the west, to Dale Point in the east, and is located approximately 8 km west of the town of Milford Haven. This indented coastline encompasses steep vertical cliffs ranging in height from 30 to 55 metres, interspersed with bays and beaches consisting of boulders, cobbles, gravel and/or sand. There are spectacular exposures of Silurian rocks around the Marloes Peninsula, including lavas and highly fossiliferous sedimentary rocks which are unique to this area. The lower part of the Old Red Sandstone sequence is exposed around the Dale Peninsula and at Gateholm. Folds, faults and associated structural interest are also clearly evident. Soils are variable, mainly developed on glacial/fluvioglacial deposits including stony clays and sandy gravels GEOLOGY Llandovery: This site shows a Llandovery (lower Silurian) rock sequence, made up of the Skomer Volcanic Group (which includes rocks formerly assigned to the Conglomerate 'Series'), and Coralliferous Group, the last-named spanning the Llandovery-Wenlock Series boundary on the evidence of its contained conodonts. Llandovery strata here also yield an abundant shelly fauna, notably brachiopods and corals, and exhibit well-developed sedimentary structures (cross-bedding, ripples and scours) indicating near-shore environments not recorded in rocks of this age elsewhere in the Welsh Basin. Marloes Sands possesses the most important Silurian section in west Wales and this is one of a series of GCR sites that cover this interest. Variscan structures: (Marloes Sands to Albion Sands) The Silurian rocks exposed within this site contain a suite of structural features, formed during the Variscan mountain building episode (orogeny), which have been the subject of international attention in recent years. Of particular importance are the complex arrays of shears, veins and cleavage planes exposed around Horse Neck. The form and microstructure of these have been intensively studied and this work has made an important contribution to understanding of the processes of rock deformation during orogenies. Elliptical 'reduction' spots occurring nearby have been used to assess the nature and extent of distortion of the strata during the Variscan orogenic episode. Cleavage planes cutting the strata are variably developed and reflect the differing effects of deformation on contrasting rock types. Near Three Chimneys, cleavage shows an abnormal relationship to the sedimentary layering, a feature often observed in orogenic belts. This has attracted detailed examination at this site leading to an important new interpretation of this widely occurring phenomenon. A great variety of major and minor structural features are abundant at this site, making it an outstanding locality for the study and interpretation of the structural characteristics of part of the Variscan orogenic belt in Pembrokeshire. (St. Ann’s Head) The cliffs around Cobbler’s Hole, St Ann’s Head, provide excellent exposures of Lower Devonian sandstones and mudstones, of the Milford Haven Group, contorted by fold structures formed during the Variscan mountain building episode (orogeny) in late Carboniferous times. On the north-western side of the inlet a large, inclined S-fold is magnificently displayed. A number of associated minor structures such as faults, cleavage planes and veins are developed and can be seen with exceptional clarity. Elsewhere in the site, faults are displayed with related minor and microstructural features of considerable interest. This site provides important examples of structural features characteristic of one of the major zones of the Variscan orogenic belt in Pembrokeshire. Wenlock: This superbly exposed, fossiliferous shore section has been of outstanding geological interest for students of the Silurian since the classic reviews of Murchison and particularly De la Beche. However, correlation of the sandy clastic facies of the Dyfed Silurian with the standard carbonate and shaley successions of the Welsh Borderland remained uncertain until very recently. Marloes, together with the adjacent Renney Slip - Gateholm area, is a key section in establishing a Llandovery - Wenlock age for the Coralliferous Group - Gray Sandstone sequence. Marloes (and Renney Slip to Gateholm) shows the fullest development of the Silurian rocks of west Wales with which all others in the county and those farther afield are correlated. This site provides a section of national importance for mid-Silurian stratigraphic studies. Non-marine Devonian: This site shows a well-exposed section through the Milford Haven Group of the Old Red Sandstone, including the Red Cliff, Albion Sands and Sandy Haven formations. The nature of the junction between the Old Red Sandstone and the Ludlow Gray Sandstone Group is controversial, and this section is the most important one for deciding whether or not parts of the Milford Haven Group are pre-Downtonian. Pembrokeshire shows two distinct and different Old Red Sandstone sequences, those to the north and those to the south of the Ritec Fault. This is the critical section for the outcrop north of the Ritec Fault. The Albion Sands Formation includes interbedded conglomerates and mudstones, indicating a local sediment source not present in rocks of the same age further east (e.g. at Sawdde Gorge). Caledonian Igneous: The Skomer Volcanic Group, of Llandovery age, is significant amongst the Lower Palaeozoic rocks of the southern Caledonides for two reasons. Firstly, it post-dates the bulk of the volcanism which was largely confined to the Ordovician. Secondly, the volcanic products are mildly alkaline in composition and contrast with the tholeiitic to mildly transitional character of the Ordovician volcanics. An important ignimbrite marker horizon, which can be traced westwards on Midland Island and Skomer Island, is exposed at Jeffry's Haven. Further south along the coast at Middle Jamb, The Anvil, Limpet Rocks and Renney Slip is exposed a series of basaltic flows interbedded with sediments of the upper part of the Skomer Volcanic Group which is absent on Skomer Island. BIOLOGY The majority of this shoreline has a south-westerly or westerly aspect and is exposed to considerable wind and wave action. The eastern-most part of the site has a generally south-easterly aspect and is subject to slightly less exposure. The sublittoral fringe along much of the rocky element of this shoreline is dominated by kelp species such as Laminaria digitata, dabberlocks Alaria esculenta, occasionally with an understorey of encrusting coralline algae and filamentous or foliose red algae. The lower to mid-shore tends to be dominated by red algae such as pepper dulse Osmundea pinnatifida, dulse Palmaria palmata, carragheen Mastocarpus stellatus, and the brown alga thong weed Himanthalia elongata. On shores where bedrock slopes more gently or forms a platform, species such as serrated wrack Fucus serratus or bladder wrack Fucus vesiculosus occur, with the non-vesiculate form of bladder wrack, Fucus vesiculosus (var.) linearis in more sheltered areas. Above this algal zone, barnacles, especially Chathamalus (sp.) and Semibalanus balanoides, and limpets Patella (sp.) dominate. The pygmy lichen Lichina pygmaea occurs above the barnacles and limpets, in particular where conditions are more exposed. The black tar lichen Verrucaria maura grows on the rocks and boulders at the upper end of the shore, above which a zone of yellow and grey lichens can be found. The bays that punctuate this coastline exhibit a variety of shore types from bedrock platforms to boulders and cobbles to fine sand. The zonation exhibited on many of the boulders mirrors that found on the mid to lower rocky shore as above, but where boulders or rock platforms are scoured or freshly exposed, ephemeral algae such as Enteromorpha (sp.) and laver bread Porphyra (sp.), or the red alga Rhodothamniella floridula can be found. The sublittoral fringe on these cobble/boulder beaches is dominated by the kelp Laminaria hyperborea, which can have a rich understorey of sponges, sea squirts and epiphytic red algae, particularly in areas subject to less exposure. Rockpools occur on the bedrock platforms and in between boulders, including deep pools with species such as the brown algae Halidrys siliquosa, Cystoseira sp. and kelp, the red alga Dumontia contorta, encrusting bryozoans, the beadlet anemone Actinia equina and sponges. Some pools support the brown alga Bifurcaria bifurcata. Shaded boulders support lush carpets of red algae such as Plumaria plumosa, Lomentaria elegans and Membranoptera alata, together with the sponges Hymeniacidon perleve and breadcrumb sponge Halichondria panicea. A high abundance of the gooseberry sea squirts Dendrodoa grossularia and the star ascidian Botryllus schlosseri occur on overhangs, together with a variety of sponges, including Amphilectus fucorum where wave surges occur. A nationally scarce community supporting the green alga Ulothrix flacca occurs on the littoral fringe at Little Castle Bay, and the nationally scarce red alga Gigartina pistillata has been recorded near West Dale Bay. On sandy shores, the small crustaceans Bathyporeia sp and Eurydice pulchra are found throughout, and in more sheltered sandy areas, cat worms Nephtys sp and Scololepsis squamata are also common. Fucoids typical of sheltered areas such as channel wrack Pelvetia canaliculata, spiral wrack Fucus spiralis and bladder wrack Fucus vesiculosus occur on the upper shores of these beaches. Crevice communities with rock samphire Crithmum maritimum and rock sea-spurrey Spergularia rupicola are frequent along the cliff edges, which are unstable in places. Maritime grassland occurs in a fringe along the coastline in most places, but is more extensive in areas such as the Deer Park, on Gateholm, and St Anne’s Head. Thrift Armeria maritima and red fescue Festuca rubra dominate, with abundant kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria and locally common wild carrot Daucus carota ssp. gummifer. Yorkshire fog Dactylis glomerata becomes more dominant in areas where grazing is less intense. Inland of this maritime grassland, scattered relict areas of maritime heath occur with heather Calluna vulgaris, bell heather Erica cinerea and wild thyme Thymus polytrichus. The sheltered, south-facing cliffs above Marloes Sands support well developed coastal scrub with much privet Ligustrum vulgare and blackthorn Prunus spinosa, and occasional wild madder Rubia peregrina. Bracken Pteridium aquilinum occurs on deeper soils, and gorse Ulex europaeus replaces the coastal scrub on less precipitous slopes. Notable higher plants include the only extant Pembrokeshire population of the nationally rare shore dock Rumex rupestris and the largest population in Pembrokeshire of the prostrate broom Cytisus scoparius ssp maritimus. The prostrate broom favours the cliffs but can be found amongst the maritime heath, particularly at the western-most end of the site. Nationally scarce plants on the cliffs include rock sea-lavender Limonium procerum ssp. procerum, Portland spurge Euphorbia portlandica and chamomile Chamaemelum nobile. An assemblage of nationally rare and scarce lichens occurs along the cliffs of this coastline, including the golden hair lichen Teloschistes flavicans and nationally rare and scarce species such as Pectenia ligulata, Ramalina polymorpha, R. portuensis, Rinodina interpolata, Syncesia myrticola and Rocella fuciformis. Chough breed, feed and roost along this stretch of coastline. Two pairs breed regularly at the western end of the site, and there are a number of roosts where up to 15 choughs regularly congregate. The short, grazed maritime grassland turf which occurs in places along this coastline provides good feeding areas for these choughs. There is regular interchange with chough from the neighbouring islands of Skomer and Skokholm, as well as with chough from the Angle peninsula and Castlemartin Coast. The nationally rare scaly cricket has been found at Marloes Sands at its only location in Wales, inhabiting a shingle area at the base of a sloping cliff, with a freshwater seepage nearby. Other species of interest include the nationally rare weevils Trachyphloeus rectus and Sibinia sodalis, the scarce grey bush cricket Platycleis albopunctata and the hairy sand wasp Podalonia hirsuta. Caves occur throughout this stretch of coast, both in the upper shore and lower down. 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 produces approximately 3% of the West Wales grey seal pup population annually. Otters have been observed on the foreshore. Remarks: The site lies entirely within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Much of the site is owned by the National Trust. Otters are listed on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), and on Annex IIa of the Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora). Grey seals are also listed on Annex IIa of the Directive. Golden hair lichen and shore dock are listed on Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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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
spiraled wrack Fucus spiralis Not listed in GB list algae brown fucaceae
bladder wrack Fucus vesiculosus Not listed in GB list algae brown fucaceae
sea oak Halidrys siliquosa Not listed in GB list algae brown cystoseiraceae
thong weed Himanthalia elongata Not listed in GB list algae brown himanthaliaceae
oar weed Laminaria digitata Not listed in GB list algae brown laminariaceae
forest or northern kelp or cuvie Laminaria hyperborea Not listed in GB list algae brown laminariaceae
channel wrack Pelvetia canaliculata Not listed in GB list algae brown fucaceae
no common name Ulothrix flacca Not listed in GB list algae green ulotrichaceae
Dumont's tubular weed Dumontia contorta Not listed in GB list algae red dumontiaceae
pestle weed Gigartina pistillata Not listed in GB list algae red gigartinaceae
grape pip weed Mastocarpus stellatus Not listed in GB list algae red phyllophoraceae
winged weed Membranoptera alata Not listed in GB list algae red delesseriaceae
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
sand binder Rhodothamniella floridula Not listed in GB list algae red rhodymeniaceae
amphipod Bathyporeia Not listed in GB list amphipod bathyporeiidae
beadlet anenome Actinia equina Not listed in GB list anemone actiniidae
acorn barnacle Semibalanus balanoides Not listed in GB list barnacle archaeobalanidae
chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax VU (Breeding) bird-corvid corvidae
grey bush-cricket Platycleis albopunctata LC bush cricket tettigoniidae
bracken Pteridium aquilinum LC fern dennstaedtiaceae
cock's foot Dactylis glomerata LC grass poaceae
red fescue Festuca rubra LC grass poaceae
lady's fingers (kidney vetch) Anthyllis vulneraria NT herb fabaceae
thrift Armeria maritima CR herb plumbaginaceae
chamomile Chamaemelum nobile EN herb asteraceae
rock samphire Crithmum maritimum LC herb apiaceae
wild carrot Daucus carota LC herb apiaceae
Portland spurge Euphorbia portlandica LC herb euphorbiaceae
rock sea-lavender Limonium procerum Not listed in GB list herb plumbaginaceae
madder Rubia peregrina LC herb rosaceae
shore dock Rumex rupestris EN herb polygonaceae
rock spurrey Spergularia rupicola LC herb carophyllaceae
wild thyme Thymus polytrichus Not listed in GB list herb lamiaceae
Dendrodoa grossularia Not listed in GB list invertebrate styelidae
Lichina pygmaea LC lichen lichinaceae
Pectenia ligulata VU lichen pannariaceae
bird-perch gristle lichen Ramalina polymorpha NT lichen no common name
powdered orange bush lichen Teloschistes flavicans VU lichen no common name
sea tar Verrucaria maura Not listed in GB list lichen no common name
sponge Amphilectus fucorum Not listed in GB list marine invertebrate esperiopsidae
speckled sea louse Eurydice pulchra Not listed in GB list sea louse cirolanidae
grey seal Halichoerus grypus None seal phocidae
star ascidian Botryllus schlosseri Not listed in GB list seasquirt styelidae
broom Cytisus scoparius LC shrub fabaceae
wild privet Ligustrum vulgare LC shrub oleaceae
blackthorn Prunus spinosa LC shrub rosaceae
gorse Ulex europaeus LC shrub leguminosae
bell heather or ling Calluna vulgaris NT shrub dwarf ericaceae
bell heather Erica cinerea NT shrub dwarf ericaceae
breadcomb sponge Halichondria panicea Not listed in GB list sponge halichondriidae
sponge Hymeniacidon perleve Not listed in GB list sponge halichondriidae

Plant communities

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

MC1 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Crithmum maritimum-Spergularia rupicola maritime rock-crevice community

Tortella flavovirens, Crithmum maritimum, Daucus carota, Inula crithmoides, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia danica, Cochlearia officinalis, Cerastium diffusum, Silene uniflora, Spergularia rupicola, Atriplex hastata, Plantago coronopus, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium binervosum, Catapodium marinum, Festuca rubra, Parapholis incurva, Asplenium marinum

MC2 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Armeria maritima-Ligusticum scoticum maritime rock-crevice community

Schistidium maritimum, Ligusticum scoticum, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia officinalis, Cerastium fontanum, Silene uniflora, Spergularia rupicola, Atriplex hastata, Sedum rosea, Plantago coronopus, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Rumex crispus, Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra, Asplenium marinum

MC3 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Rhodiola rosea-Armeria maritima 36-ledge community

Angelica sylvestris, Ligusticum scoticum, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Silene dioica, Silene uniflora, Sedum rosea, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus

MC4 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Brassica oleracea 36-ledge community

Daucus carota, Centaurea nigra, Centaurea scabiosa, Cirsium arvense, Echium vulgare, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leucanthemum vulgare, Pilosella officinarum, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officianalis, Tragopogon pratensis, Brassica nigra, Brassica oleracea, Cheiranthus cheiri, Silene nutans, Silene uniflora, Sedum acre, Anthyllis vulneraria, Ononis repens, Teucrium scorodonia, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Potentilla reptans, Galium aparine, Agrostis stolonifera, Brachypodium pinnatum, Bromus hordeaceous, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Schedonorus arundinaceus

MC5 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Armeria maritima-Cerastium diffusum ssp. diffusum maritime therophyte community

Carex flacca, Hypnum cupressiforme, Tortella flavovirens, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia foliacea, Cladonia rangiformis, Collema spp., Daucus carota, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Cirsium acaule, Echium vulgare, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leontodon saxatilis, Pilosella officinarum, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Myosotis ramosissima, Brassica oleracea, Cochlearia danica, Cochlearia officinalis, Diplotaxis muralis, Jasione montana, Arenaria serpyllifolia, Cerastium diffusum, Cerastium fontanum, Herniaria ciliolata, Sagina apetala, Sagina maritima, Silene uniflora, Spergularia rupicola, Atriplex littoralis, Sedum acre, Sedum anglicum, Euphorbia portlandica, Anthyllis vulneraria, Hippocrepis comosa, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium arvense, Trifolium occidentale, Trifolium repens, Trifolium scabrum, Vicia sativa, Centaurium erythraea, Eriodium cicutarium, Salvia verbenaca, Thymus praecox, Scilla autumnalis, Scilla verna, Radiola linoides, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Veronica arvensis, Armeria maritima, Ranunculus acris, Reseda lutea, Filipendula vulgaris, Poterium sanguisorba, Galium verum, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Aira caryophyllea, Aira praecox, Brachypodium pinnatum, Bromus hordeaceous, Catapodium marinum, Catapodium rigidum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Lolium perenne, Schedonorus arundinaceus

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

MC7 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Stellaria media-Rumex acetosa sea-bird cliff community

Juncus articulatus, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Senecio vulgaris, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia officinalis, Cerastium fontanum, Cerastium glomeratum, Silene uniflora, Spergula arvensis, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex hastata, Sedum anglicum, Trifolium repens, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex acetosa, Rumex crispus, Potentilla anserina, Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Poa annua, Poa pratensis

MC8 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Festuca rubra-Armeria maritima maritime grassland

Carex caryophyllea, Carex distans, Kindbergia praelonga, Tortella flavovirens, Trichostomum brachydontium, Angelica sylvestris, Crithmum maritimum, Daucus carota, Ligusticum scoticum, Achillea millefolium, Cirsium arvense, Hypochaeris radicata, Inula crithmoides, Leontodon saxatilis, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Sonchus oleraceus, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Brassica oleracea, Cochlearia danica, Cochlearia officinalis, Cerastium diffusum, Cerastium fontanum, Sagina apetala, Sagina maritima, Silene uniflora, Spergularia rupicola, Sedum anglicum, Anthyllis vulneraria, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Centaurium erythraea, Scilla verna, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Potentilla erecta, Agrostis stolonifera, Brachypodium pinnatum, Catapodium marinum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Poa subcaerulea

MC9 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Festuca rubra-Holcus lanatus maritime grassland

Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Luzula campestris, Hypnum cupressiforme, Kindbergia praelonga, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Trichostomum brachydontium, Cladonia chlorophaea, Peltigera canina, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Daucus carota, Heracleum sphondylium, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Centaurea nigra, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leontodon saxatilis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Pilosella officinarum, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Serratula tinctoria, Solidago virgaurea, Cochlearia officinalis, Campanula rotundifolia, Cerastium diffusum, Cerastium fontanum, Sagina apetala, Silene uniflora, Sedum anglicum, Euphorbia portlandica, Anthyllis vulneraria, Genista tinctoria, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Geranium sanguineum, Thymus praecox, Scilla verna, Euphrasia officinalis, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Rumex crispus, Ficaria verna, Ranunculus acris, Potentilla erecta, Galium verum, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Aira praecox, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Poa pratensis

MC10 — Maritime cliff

Festuca rubra-Plantago spp. maritime grassland

Salix repens, Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex serotina, Schoenus nigricans, Juncus acutiflorus, Luzula campestris, Selaginella selaginoides, Mnium hornum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Angelica sylvestris, Daucus carota, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Bellis perennis, Hypochaeris radicata, Leontodon saxatilis, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Cochlearia officinalis, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium diffusum, Cerastium fontanum, Sagina apetala, Sagina procumbens, Silene acaulis, Silene uniflora, Parnassia palustris, Sedum anglicum, Anthyllis vulneraria, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Gentianella campestris, Thymus praecox, Pinguicula vulgaris, Scilla verna, Linum catharticum, Dactylorhiza purpurella, Euphrasia officinalis, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Polygala serpyllifolia, Rumex acetosa, Anagallis tenella, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus flammula, Potentilla erecta, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Aira praecox, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Poa pratensis

MC11 — Maritime cliff

Festuca rubra-Daucus carota ssp. gummifer maritime grassland

Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Crithmum maritimum, Daucus carota, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Carlina vulgaris, Centaurea nigra, Centaurea scabiosa, Cirsium acaule, Cirsium vulgare, Echium vulgare, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leontodon saxatilis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Pilosella officinarum, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officianalis, Impatiens nolitangere, Brassica oleracea, Crambe maritima, Arenaria serpyllifolia, Silene nutans, Silene uniflora, Convolvulus arvensis, Sedum acre, Euphorbia portlandica, Anthyllis vulneraria, Hippocrepis comosa, Lotus corniculatus, Medicago lupulina, Ononis repens, Trifolium repens, Vicia sativa, Blackstonia perfoliata, Centaurium erythraea, Teucrium scorodonia, Thymus praecox, Scilla verna, Glaucium flavum, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus bulbosus, Potentilla reptans, Poterium sanguisorba, Galium verum, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Brachypodium pinnatum, Bromus hordeaceous, Catapodium marinum, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Lolium perenne, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Chara curta

MC12 — Maritime cliff

Festuca rubra-Hyacinthoides non-scripta maritime bluebell community

Hedera helix, Daucus carota, Heracleum sphondylium, Achillea millefolium, Cirsium vulgare, Hypochaeris radicata, Sonchus oleraceus, Cochlearia danica, Cochlearia officinalis, Silene uniflora, Spergularia rupicola, Sedum telephium, Lotus corniculatus, Lotus pedunculatus, Ononis repens, Vicia sativa, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Scilla verna, Plantago lanceolata, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Ficaria verna, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium verum, Viola riviniana, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Pteridium aquilinum

MG1 — Brownfield, Hard cliff and cliff slope

Arrhenatherum elatius grassland

Hedera helix, Luzula campestris, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Aegopodium podagraria, Anthriscus sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Daucus carota, Heracleum sphondylium, Pimpinella major, Pimpinella saxifraga, Achillea millefolium, Artemisia vulgaris, Carduus nutans, Centaurea nigra, Centaurea scabiosa, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leontodon hispidus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Sonchus asper, Taraxacum officianalis, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Campanula rotundifolia, Knautia arvensis, Scabiosa columbaria, Cerastium fontanum, Silene nutans, Stellaria graminea, Convolvulus arvensis, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Vicia sativa, Vicia sepium, Geranium dissectum, Hypericum perforatum, Clinopodium vulgare, Glechoma hederacea, Lamium album, Origanum vulgare, Teucrium scorodonia, Thymus praecox, Linum catharticum, Chamerion angustifolium, Epilobium hirsutum, Epipactis purpurata, Rhinanthus minor, Papaver dubium, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Rumex acetosa, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Primula veris, Primula vulgaris, Ficaria verna, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus bulbosus, Ranunculus repens, Agrimonia eupatoria, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla reptans, Poterium sanguisorba, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Galium mollugo sens.lat., Galium verum, Urtica dioica, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus pratensis, Anisantha sterilis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Avenula pubescens, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Briza media, Bromopsis erecta, Bromus hordeaceous, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus pratensis, Trisetum flavescens, Pteridium aquilinum, Chara vulgaris

MG10 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Hard cliff and cliff slope, Upland rush pasture

Holcus lanatus-Juncus effusus rush-pasture

Carex hirta, Carex panicea, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Juncus inflexus, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Oenanthe crocata, Caltha palustris, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium palustre, Pulicaria dysenterica, Senecio aquaticus, Taraxacum officianalis, Myosotis scorpioides, Cardamine pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Silene flos-cuculi, Stellaria alsine, Equisetum arvense, Equisetum palustre, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Iris pseudacorus, Mentha aquatica, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Polygonum hydropiper, Rumex acetosa, Rumex conglomeratus, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla anserina, Urtica dioica, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus geniculatus, Alopecurus pratensis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Festulolium loliaceum, Glyceria fluitans, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Phalaris arundinacea, Phleum pratense, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus pratensis

MG11 — Brownfield, Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Hard cliff and cliff slope

Festuca rubra-Agrostis stolonifera-Potentilla anserina grassland

Atriplex portulacoides, Carex arenaria, Carex distans, Juncus articulatus, Juncus bufonius, Juncus gerardii, Brachythecium rutabulum, Odontites verna, Oenanthe lachenalii, Bellis perennis, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Hypochaeris radicata, Matricaria discoidea, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Senecio aquaticus, Sonchus asper, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia officinalis, Cerastium fontanum, Honckenya peploides, Sagina procumbens, Silene dioica, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex hastata, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Plantago maritima, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex acetosa, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Glaux maritima, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Potentilla anserina, Potentilla reptans, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus geniculatus, Ammophila arenaria, Arrhenatherum elatius, Bromus hordeaceous, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia juncea, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Parapholis strigosa, Phleum pratense, Poa annua, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Schedonorus pratensis

MG12 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Hard cliff and cliff slope

Festuca arundinacea grassland

Atriplex portulacoides, Carex distans, Carex nigra, Carex otrubae, Eleocharis uniglumis, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus gerardii, Juncus inflexus, Juncus maritimus, Kindbergia praelonga, Odontites verna, Oenanthe crocata, Oenanthe lachenalii, Torilis japonica, Cirsium arvense, Hypochaeris radicata, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Sonchus arvensis, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cerastium fontanum, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex hastata, Equisetum palustre, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Iris pseudacorus, Triglochin maritimum, Triglochin palustre, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Plantago maritima, Rumex crispus, Glaux maritima, Ranunculus acris, Potentilla anserina, Galium palustre, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia atherica, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Phragmites australis, Poa pratensis, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Schedonorus pratensis

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

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