Porth Towyn i Borth Wen

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 52.9209, -4.6105

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Also within

Gwynedd County LLYN Scenic Area

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

Coastal vegetated shingle, Hard cliff and cliff slope, Maritime cliff

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: Cave / Cavern · Geological Period: Precambrian

Landscape processes: Coastal, Karst

Description

Description The site lies on the north-western coast of Pen Llŷn and extends over 5 km from Borth Wen in the to the sandy shore of Porth Towyn. The shoreline is predominantly rugged Precambrian bedrock, exposed to moderately strong wave action and tidal currents. The bedrock is periodically interspersed with low-lying areas of sheltered coarse sediment, cobbles and pebbles. Porth Towyn consists of medium-coarse sand that covers some 500 m of the shore between bedrock outcrops. The site is of marine biological importance for its diverse coralline rockpool communities, the presence of a cave community of restricted national distribution and for exhibiting complete zonation of rocky shore communities. Rocky shore communities are visibly ‘zoned’ along a good proportion of the shore. This pattern of zonation depends partly on individual species’ tolerance of exposure to air and sunlight and typically includes lichens at the extreme top of the shore and zones of different seaweed communities down the shore to low water. The hard bedrock cliffs that back the shore at this site have a wide zone of yellow and grey lichens that are only occasionally wetted by seawater, with sea ivory Ramalina, common orange lichen Xanthorion parietinae and species of Caloplaca lichens present. Below these the lichen zone stretches below the high water mark, and is characterised by the green lichen Verrucaria mucosa and the black tar lichen Verrucaria maura, along with green seaweed-dominated rockpools. The brown seaweeds channel wrack Pelvetia canaliculata and spiral wrack Fucus spiralis dominate the upper-shore. The barnacles Semibalanus balanoides and Chthamalus stellatus form a mid-shore zone, with increasing cover of bladder wrack Fucus vesiculosus towards the lower reaches of this zone. The barnacle Balanus crenatus and species of the limpet Patella are also found in this mid-shore zone towards the south-west end of the site. The lower-shore zone of red seaweed includes dulse Palmaria palmata, Mastocarpus stellatus, Lomentaria articulata, pepper dulse Osmundea pinnatifida and species of Ceramium, and is frequently overgrown by serrated wrack Fucus serratus. In areas of increased sand scour, largely occurring towards Porth Towyn, the sand-binding seaweed Rhodothamniella and other red seaweeds replace serrated wrack. Red seaweeds grow into the sublittoral fringe, the area of shore exposed during the lowest tides, and form the understorey for a canopy of oarweed Laminaria digitata and dabberlocks Alaria esculenta. Furbelows Saccorhiza polyschides and sugar kelp Saccharina latissima are also found in this zone at the south-western end of the site, and form a community that is uncommon in Britain. Species-rich shallow rockpools with encrusting coralline seaweed and dense turfs of coral weed Corallina officinalis occur frequently in the north-eastern part of the site, and over 15 species have been identified in this habitat. These rockpools ameliorate some of the harsh conditions associated with intertidal life, enabling them to support such a high diversity of plants and animals. The moist, dark conditions inside caves and crevices in upper-shore bedrock around Porth Towyn support a community of restricted national distribution. Velvety growths of the red seaweed Rhodothamniella coat the cave walls, and other species include the lichen Verrucaria mucosa, seaweeds including gutweed Enteromorpha, and periwinkles Littorina. Sheltered inlets occur occasionally along the site and are backed by gravel or shingle that is apparently devoid of burrowing animals. Intertidal cobbles and pebbles here are often mobile and/or sand-scoured and are colonised only by transient communities of ephemeral green seaweed. More stable bedrock or boulders in these areas typically supports knotted wrack Ascophyllum nodosum on the mid-shore and serrated wrack and red seaweed on the lower-shore. The lower surfaces of large lower-shore boulders towards Borth Wen support shade-tolerant seaweed species and a diverse community of sponges, including breadcrumb sponge Halichondria panicea, Hymeniacidon perleve, white lace sponge Clathrina coriacea, Leuconia nivea, purse sponge Grantia compressa and Haliclona viscosa. The sand at Porth Towyn is largely coarse and supports a limited number of small burrowing crustaceans. Finer sand around and between the bedrock along the length of the site supports a community of crustaceans and marine worms such as the blow lug Arenicola marina, Scolelepis squamata and species of the catworm Nephtys. Remarks: The site lies within the Lleyn Peninsula Heritage Coast and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Areas of the site below mean low water form part of the Pen Llŷn a’r Sarnau/Lleyn Peninsula and the Sarnau Special Area of Conservation, under the EC Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and Wild Fauna and Flora 1992). The site supports habitats assignable to ‘reefs’, a habitat listed on Annex I of the Directive. The site supports nearly 30 ha of maritime cliff and slope, a Biodiversity Action Plan habitat.

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
egg wrack Ascophyllum nodosum Not listed in GB list algae brown fucaceae
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
oar weed Laminaria digitata Not listed in GB list algae brown laminariaceae
channel wrack Pelvetia canaliculata Not listed in GB list algae brown fucaceae
sugar kelp Saccharina latissima Not listed in GB list algae brown laminariaceae
furbellows Saccorhiza polyschides Not listed in GB list algae brown phyllariaceae
common coral weed Corallina officinalis Not listed in GB list algae red corallinaceae
bunny-eared bead weed Lomentaria articulata Not listed in GB list algae red lomentariaceae
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
acorn barnacle Semibalanus balanoides Not listed in GB list barnacle archaeobalanidae
sea tar Verrucaria maura Not listed in GB list lichen no common name
no common name Xanthorion parietinae Not listed in GB list lichen no common name
blow lugworm Arenicola marina Not listed in GB list polychaete arenicolidae
purse sponge Grantia compressa Not listed in GB list sponge grantiidae
breadcomb sponge Halichondria panicea Not listed in GB list sponge halichondriidae
sponge Hymeniacidon perleve Not listed in GB list sponge halichondriidae
Scolelepis squamata Not listed in GB list worm spionidae

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