Isle of Portland
Also within
Dorset County King Charles Way - Rufus Castle to Lulworth Cove National TrailSouth West Coast Path National Trail
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SY675684 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 3.67 | 2011-09-29 |
| SY675686 | — | Favourable | 4.51 | 2009-08-06 |
| SY676689 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 12.89 | 2011-11-10 |
| SY677684 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 3.67 | 2011-09-29 |
| SY678686 | — | Favourable | 6.43 | 2021-11-16 |
| SY678707 | — | Favourable | 30.36 | 2011-09-13 |
| SY680688 | — | Favourable | 8.66 | 2021-11-16 |
| SY680718 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 3.71 | 2011-09-13 |
| SY682726 | — | Favourable | 28.4 | 2011-10-02 |
| SY683688 | — | Favourable | 4.54 | 2011-09-29 |
| SY683692 | — | Favourable | 0.8 | 2011-09-13 |
| SY683718 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 14.68 | 2010-02-16 |
| SY683722 | — | Favourable | 5.83 | 2010-09-07 |
| SY684690 | — | Favourable | 9.0 | 2021-11-16 |
| SY685726 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 9.98 | 2011-09-13 |
| SY687723 | — | Unfavourable Declining | 3.42 | 2010-02-16 |
| SY688720 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 1.09 | 2010-02-16 |
| SY688725 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 7.41 | 2010-02-16 |
| SY688727 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 1.57 | 2011-09-13 |
| SY689695 | — | Favourable | 9.02 | 2011-09-29 |
| SY689722 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 6.91 | 2010-09-07 |
| SY689732 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 1.63 | 2011-09-14 |
| SY689736 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 2.56 | 2011-09-13 |
| SY690734 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 10.24 | 2011-09-01 |
| SY692729 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 11.24 | 2011-08-18 |
| SY692733 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 0.99 | 2011-09-13 |
| SY693711 | — | Destroyed | 0.95 | 2010-10-08 |
| SY693731 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 7.07 | 2011-09-01 |
| SY694706 | — | Favourable | 11.33 | 2011-09-16 |
| SY694740 | — | Unfavourable Declining | 27.16 | 2011-11-01 |
| SY695729 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 8.5 | 2010-02-16 |
| SY697710 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 3.84 | 2011-09-16 |
| SY697712 | — | Unfavourable Declining | 1.39 | 2009-06-11 |
| SY697720 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 8.64 | 2012-03-15 |
| SY697731 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 1.83 | 2011-11-01 |
| SY697732 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 40.03 | 2011-11-21 |
| SY699721 | — | Favourable | 7.76 | 2011-09-19 |
| SY700728 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 40.03 | 2011-11-21 |
| SY701715 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 27.62 | 2011-09-19 |
| SY701716 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 2.94 | 2011-09-19 |
| SY701734 | — | Favourable | 3.24 | 2011-11-01 |
Climate exposure
This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.
Coastal habitats are exposed to sea-level rise and storm erosion. Where hard sea defences sit behind them, there's nowhere landward to retreat to — a squeeze that keeps compressing the habitat no matter how well it's managed.
Habitats
Geology & landscape
Geological Feature: Raised Beach, Rock Outcrop · Mining / Industrial: Quarry · Geological Period: Cretaceous, Jurassic · Rock Type: Limestone
Landscape processes: Coastal
Birds & fish recorded
Birds
| Species | Season |
|---|---|
| guillemot | Breeding |
| guillemot | Passage |
| puffin | Breeding |
| puffin | Passage |
| razorbill | Breeding |
| razorbill | Passage |
Description
Isle of Portland SSSI Description The Isle of Portland is internationally important for its geological interest. The Island has a rich assemblage of plants and animals associated with limestone grassland, scrub and coastal habitats, a combination of features and species unrepeated elsewhere. Portland is also a famous site for the study of bird migration centred on the observatory at the Bill. The cliffs and quarries of Portland are of international importance for their geology, particularly for their extensive, well-exposed and accessible outcrop of the Portland and Purbeck Beds. A full sequence from the Kimmeridge Clay, through the whole of the Portland Beds and well into the Purbeck Beds can be seen and has been studied by geologists for over 150 years. Portland is the type area for the Portland Sand and Portland Stone and also contains the standard reference sections for the base of the kerberus and the anguiformis seats of the Portlandian; it is thus of international importance for the definition of the Portlandian stage of geological time. The sections at Tar Rocks are of particular significance in defining the base of the Portlandian. One of the best sites in the world for Portlandian fossil reptiles occurs in West Cliff. The Portland Beds also contain numerous features of sedimentological and stratigraphic interest and are very fossiliferous; this is an important area for studying the environmental conditions which existed in southern England during the final phases of Jurassic marine sedimentation. Good sections through the lower half of the Purbeck Beds occur here, with silicified fossil trees being common at certain horizons and forming the well-known 'fossil forest'; some tree stumps are found in situ in fossil soil beds. Other features of interest include the most important raised beach on the south coast of England, at Portland Bill and the best British example of rock collapse by slab failure, at Black Nor. The Island has a rich limestone flora. Some unquarried areas hold long-standing, unimproved grassland supporting a diverse range of plants but there is also considerable botanical interest in many of the old quarry workings which have become colonised by limestone plants. Shorter swards which are maintained by grazing and exposure to the wind are dominated by sheep’s fescue Festuca ovina or red fescue Festuca rubra. Longer swards are dominated by tall fescue Schedonorus arundinaceus and wood false brome Brachypodium sylvaticum with cock's-foot Dactylis glomerata and locally tor grass Brachypodium pinnatum. The shorter swards are frequently rich in herbs including horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, bird's foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, carline thistle Carlina acaulis, small scabious Scabiosa columbaria, squinancywort Asperula cynanchica, pyramidal orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis and bee orchid Ophrys apifera. The sea cliffs of Portland hold a varied maritime flora which includes frequent rock samphire Crithmum maritimum, golden samphire Inula crithmoides and thrift Armeria maritima. The *Portland sea lavender Limonium recurvum, a species confined to the Island, and the boary stock Mathiola incana, another rare species, occur on the cliffs. Near Portland Bill there is maritime grassland dominated by red fescue with abundant thrift and wild carrot Daucus carota. The Weares or undercliffs on the east and west coasts hold grassland and scrub communities amongst boulders. The scrub is composed of blackthorn Prunus spinosa, wayfaring tree Viburnum lantana, bramble Rubus fruticosus (agg.) an alien Cotoneaster species and sapling sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus. Elements of woodland communities are found here with wood spurge Euphorbia amygdaloides, herb Robert Geranium robertianum and hart’s tongue fern Asplenium scolopendrium. broomrapes are frequent and include tall broomrape Orobanche elatior, ivy broomrape Orobanche hederae and the rare Picris --and carrot broomrapes Orobanche picridis and Orobanche minor subsp. Maritima. Alexanders Smyrnium olusatrum and the local Portland spurge Euphorbia portlandica are also abundant. Reflecting the extreme southerly and maritime position of Portland, the bryophyte flora of the Island is particularly interesting in that it is essentially Mediterranean in character. It includes some rare species including Plasteurhynchium meridionale (the nearest colony of which is in SW France) and Southbya nigrella which in Britain is known only from Portland and the Isle of Wight. Portland is one of the richest coastal limestone sites for lichens in the British Isles. Over 210 species have been recorded, the majority on rock. Among these is the rare Mediterranean species Roccella phycopsis which occurs very locally on sheltered rock with other scarce lichens including Arthonia endlicheri, Dirina repanda, Lecanactis grumulosa, Sclerophyton circumscriptum and Caloplaca granulosa. Rocks near high water mark constitute another important lichen habitat where the genera Caloplaca and Verrucaria are particularly well represented. The quarries also hold a number of uncommon species both on rocks and on soil where the genus Collema is important. The molluscs of Portland include the national rarity Truncatellina callicratis and Helicella itala which is scarce and confined to Southern England. Butterflies of limestone grassland are well represented on Portland and include very strong populations of Chalkhill blue Polyommatus coridon as well as the rare Adonis blue Polyommatus bellargus and the cretaceous race of silver-studded blue Plebejus argus which is unique to Portland. Two uncommon moths; the Portland Ribbon Wave Idaea degeneraria and four spotted Tyta luctuosa occur on the Island. Portland also holds the local cockroach Ectobius panzeri and there are strong populations of grey bush cricket Platycleis albopunctata. The position of the Island on the south coast and its diversity of habitats, particularly abundant scrub, make Portland especially attractive to migrating birds and rarities are regularly recorded. Resident birds of the Island include the commoner grassland and scrub species and there are small numbers of cliff nesting guillemot Uria aalge, razorbill Alca torda and puffin Fratercula arctica. * This plant is listed in Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Species mentioned
Show the 50 species mentioned in the description, with red-list statusInsects to look out for
These moths, butterflies and beetles are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a host-plant being present doesn't mean the insect has actually been recorded here. Treat this as "worth watching for," not a confirmed sighting.
| Species | Status | Via host-plant |
|---|---|---|
| Black-veined moth Siona lineata |
Critically Endangered | Lotus corniculatus |
| New forest Zygaena viciae |
Critically Endangered | Lotus corniculatus |
| Straw belle Aspitates gilvaria |
Endangered | Lotus corniculatus |
| Chequered skipper Carterocephalus palaemon |
Endangered | Brachypodium sylvaticum |
| Figure of eight Diloba caeruleocephala |
Endangered | Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp. |
| The lappet Gastropacha quercifolia |
Endangered | Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp. |
| Wood white Leptidea sinapis |
Endangered | Lotus corniculatus |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Prunus spinosa, Rubus fruticosus |
| Black hairstreak Satyrium pruni |
Endangered | Prunus spinosa |
| Sussex emerald Thalera fimbrialis |
Endangered | Daucus carota |
| Slender scotch Zygaena loti |
Endangered | Lotus corniculatus |
| Mouse moth Amphipyra tragopoginis |
Vulnerable | Lotus corniculatus |
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp., Viburnum lantana |
| Broom moth Ceramica pisi |
Vulnerable | Rubus fruticosus |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Acer pseudoplatanus, Prunus spinosa |
| Dingy skipper Erynnis tages |
Vulnerable | Hippocrepis comosa, Lotus corniculatus |
| Marsh fritillary Euphydryas aurinia |
Vulnerable | Scabiosa columbaria |
| Grayling Hipparchia semele |
Vulnerable | Brachypodium sylvaticum, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra |
| The lackey Malacosoma neustria |
Vulnerable | Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp., Rubus fruticosus |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Prunus spinosa |
| Morris's wainscot Photedes morrisii |
Vulnerable | Schedonorus arundinaceus |
| Silver studded blue Plebejus argus |
Vulnerable | Hippocrepis comosa, Lotus corniculatus |
| Grizzled skipper Pyrgus malvae |
Vulnerable | Rubus fruticosus |
| Brown hairstreak Thecla betulae |
Vulnerable | Prunus spinosa |
| Early moth Theria primaria |
Vulnerable | Prunus spinosa |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Prunus spinosa, Rubus fruticosus |
| Grey chi Antitype chi |
Near Threatened | Armeria maritima |
| Large nutmeg Apamea anceps |
Near Threatened | Dactylis glomerata |
| Garden tiger Arctia caja |
Near Threatened | Prunus spinosa |
| Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus |
Near Threatened | Festuca spp. |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Acer pseudoplatanus, Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp. |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina |
| Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata |
Near Threatened | Prunus spinosa |
| White-spotted pug Eupithecia tripunctaria |
Near Threatened | Daucus carota |
| Double dart Graphiphora augur |
Near Threatened | Prunus spinosa |
| Silver-spotted skipper Hesperia comma |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina |
| Wall Lasiommata megera |
Near Threatened | Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata |
| Rosy minor Litoligia literosa |
Near Threatened | Dactylis glomerata, Festuca ovina |
| Swallowtail papilio Papilio machaon |
Near Threatened | Daucus carota |
Host-plant data: Cook et al. (2025), Traits data for the butterflies and macro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland, 2024, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology / Butterfly Conservation; and Padovani et al. (2020), Database of Insects and their Food Plants (DBIF), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (both Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.
Plant communities
MC5 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Armeria maritima-Cerastium diffusum ssp. diffusum maritime therophyte community
Matches 10 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Brachypodium pinnatum, Dactylis glomerata, Daucus carota, Euphorbia portlandica, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Hippocrepis comosa, Lotus corniculatus, Schedonorus arundinaceus
Show 77 indicator speciesCarex 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
MC8 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Festuca rubra-Armeria maritima maritime grassland
Matches 8 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Brachypodium pinnatum, Crithmum maritimum, Dactylis glomerata, Daucus carota, Festuca rubra, Inula crithmoides, Lotus corniculatus
Show 45 indicator speciesCarex 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
Matches 8 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Daucus carota, Euphorbia portlandica, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Lotus corniculatus
Show 67 indicator speciesEmpetrum 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
W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub
Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub
Matches 8 species from the description above: Acer pseudoplatanus, Asplenium scolopendrium, Brachypodium pinnatum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Geranium robertianum, Prunus spinosa, Viburnum lantana
Show 81 indicator speciesHedera 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
MG1 — Brownfield, Hard cliff and cliff slope
Arrhenatherum elatius grassland
Matches 7 species from the description above: Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Daucus carota, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Lotus corniculatus, Scabiosa columbaria
Show 102 indicator speciesHedera 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
W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub
Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub
Matches 7 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Asplenium scolopendrium, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Geranium robertianum, Prunus spinosa
Show 49 indicator speciesHedera 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
H7 — Hard cliff and cliff slope, Lowland dry heath
Calluna vulgaris-Scilla verna heath
Matches 6 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Dactylis glomerata, Daucus carota, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Lotus corniculatus
Show 70 indicator speciesSalix 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
MC4 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Brassica oleracea 36-ledge community
Matches 6 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Brachypodium pinnatum, Dactylis glomerata, Daucus carota, Festuca rubra, Schedonorus arundinaceus
Show 33 indicator speciesDaucus 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
H8 — Hard cliff and cliff slope, Lowland dry heath, Upland dry heath
Calluna vulgaris-Ulex gallii heath
Matches 5 species from the description above: Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Lotus corniculatus
Show 59 indicator speciesCalluna 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
Matches 5 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Crithmum maritimum, Daucus carota, Festuca rubra, Inula crithmoides
Show 19 indicator speciesTortella 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
MC6 — Coastal vegetated shingle, Hard cliff and cliff slope
Atriplex prostrata-Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima sea-bird cliff community
Matches 4 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Dactylis glomerata, Daucus carota, Festuca rubra
Show 17 indicator speciesDaucus 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
MG11 — Brownfield, Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Hard cliff and cliff slope
Festuca rubra-Agrostis stolonifera-Potentilla anserina grassland
Matches 4 species from the description above: Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Lotus corniculatus, Schedonorus arundinaceus
Show 64 indicator speciesAtriplex 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
Matches 4 species from the description above: Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Lotus corniculatus, Schedonorus arundinaceus
Show 56 indicator speciesAtriplex 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
MC3 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Rhodiola rosea-Armeria maritima 36-ledge community
Matches 3 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Festuca rubra, Lotus corniculatus
Show 15 indicator speciesAngelica 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
MC2 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Armeria maritima-Ligusticum scoticum maritime rock-crevice community
Matches 2 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Festuca rubra
Show 17 indicator speciesSchistidium 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
MC7 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Stellaria media-Rumex acetosa sea-bird cliff community
Matches 2 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Festuca rubra
Show 24 indicator speciesJuncus 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
MG10 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Hard cliff and cliff slope, Upland rush pasture
Holcus lanatus-Juncus effusus rush-pasture
Matches 2 species from the description above: Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra
Show 58 indicator speciesCarex 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
W20 — Montane scrub
Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub
Matches 2 species from the description above: Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra
Show 107 indicator speciesSalix 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