Isle of Portland

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 50.5225, -2.4477

Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable Recovering (21) Favourable (13) Unfavourable No Change (3) Unfavourable Declining (3) Destroyed (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (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

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: Raised Beach, Rock Outcrop · Mining / Industrial: Quarry · Geological Period: Cretaceous, Jurassic · Rock Type: Limestone

Landscape processes: Coastal

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

SpeciesSeason
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

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
razorbill Alca torda LC (Breeding) bird-auk alcidae
puffin Fratercula arctica CR (Breeding) bird-auk alcidae
guillemot Uria aalge LC (Breeding) bird-auk alcidae
grey bush-cricket Platycleis albopunctata LC bush cricket tettigoniidae
silver studded blue Plebejus argus VU butterfly lycaenidae
Adonis blue Polyommatus bellargus VU butterfly lycaenidae
chalkhill blue Polyommatus coridon VU butterfly lycaenidae
lesser cockroach Ectobius panzeri Not listed in GB list cockroaches blattellidae
hart's-tongue fern Asplenium scolopendrium LC fern aspleniaceae
tor grass Brachypodium pinnatum LC grass poaceae
wood false brome Brachypodium sylvaticum LC grass poaceae
cock's foot Dactylis glomerata LC grass poaceae
sheep's fescue Festuca ovina LC grass poaceae
red fescue Festuca rubra LC grass poaceae
tall fescue Schedonorus arundinaceus LC grass poaceae
pyramidal orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis LC herb orchidaceae
thrift Armeria maritima CR herb plumbaginaceae
squinancywort Asperula cynanchica VU herb rubiaceae
stemless carline thiste Carlina acaulis Not listed in GB list herb asteraceae
rock samphire Crithmum maritimum LC herb apiaceae
wild carrot Daucus carota LC herb apiaceae
wood spurge Euphorbia amygdaloides LC herb euphorbiaceae
Portland spurge Euphorbia portlandica LC herb euphorbiaceae
herb Robert Geranium robertianum LC herb geraniaceae
horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa VU herb fabaceae
golden samphire Inula crithmoides Not listed in GB list herb asteraceae
Portland sea lavender Limonium recurvum Not listed in GB list herb plumbaginaceae
birdsfoot trefoil Lotus corniculatus LC herb fabaceae
bee orchid Ophrys apifera LC herb orchidaceae
tall broomrape Orobanche elatior LC herb orobanchaceae
ivy broomrape Orobanche hederae LC herb orobanchaceae
purple broomrape Orobanche minor subsp. Maritima Not listed in GB list herb orobanchaceae
oxtongue broomrape Orobanche picridis VU herb orobanchaceae
bramble Rubus fruticosus LC herb rosaceae
small scabious Scabiosa columbaria LC herb caprifoliaceae
Alexanders Smyrnium olusatrum LC herb apiaceae
no common name Arthonia endlicheri Not listed in GB list lichen no common name
no common name Caloplaca granulosa Not listed in GB list lichen no common name
no common name Dirina repanda Not listed in GB list lichen no common name
no common name Lecanactis grumulosa Not listed in GB list lichen no common name
no common name Roccella phycopsis NT lichen no common name
no common name Sclerophyton circumscriptum Not listed in GB list lichen no common name
mollusc Truncatellina callicratis NT mollusc truncatellinidae
striated feather moss Plasteurhynchium meridionale CR moss hypnales
Portland ribbon wave Idaea degeneraria R moth geometridae
the four-spotted Tyta luctuosa VU moth noctuidae
blackthorn Prunus spinosa LC shrub rosaceae
wayfaring tree Viburnum lantana LC shrub caprifoliaceae
heath snail Helicella itala LC snail hygromiidae
sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus Not listed in GB list tree aceraceae

Insects 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.

SpeciesStatusVia 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

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

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

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

Matches 8 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Daucus carota, Euphorbia portlandica, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Lotus corniculatus

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Matches 5 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Crithmum maritimum, Daucus carota, Festuca rubra, Inula crithmoides

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

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

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

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

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

Matches 4 species from the description above: Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Lotus corniculatus, Schedonorus arundinaceus

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

W20 — Montane scrub

Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub

Matches 2 species from the description above: Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra

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