Whitecliff Bay and Bembridge Ledges

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 50.6812, -1.0775

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (7) Unfavourable No Change (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SZ638859 Favourable 3.63 2009-01-20
SZ640860 Favourable 5.5 2010-03-15
SZ641862 Favourable 2.89 2009-01-20
SZ645865 Favourable 6.03 2009-01-20
SZ648869 Favourable 4.59 2009-01-20
SZ651885 Favourable 18.32 2010-03-15
SZ652871 Unfavourable No Change 1.23 2009-02-23
SZ655871 Favourable 89.83 2010-03-15

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 Period: Paleogene · Rock Type: Chalk, Limestone

Landscape processes: Coastal

Description

Area, 131.6 hectares 325.2 ac Description The Whitecliff Bay and Bembridge Ledges Site of Special Scientific Interest comprises extensive areas of intertidal sand, rock and shingle and includes a series of actively eroding cliffs. Collectively these features comprise the coastline of a broad heathland at the eastern extremity of the Isle of Wight. This site is geologically important because of the famous and well exposed rock sequence from the Chalk to the Bembridge Marls which is seen here and also because of the important fossil mammal faunas and fossil plant floras which occur at certain horizons. Whitecliff Bay provides probably the most continuous exposures of Palaeogene sediments in western Europe, with a near complete series of Upper Palaeocene to Lower Oligocene strata exposed. The bay provides stratotype sections for certain parts of the Eocene succession and exposes rock sections of importance for comparative purposes throughout the Hampshire Basin. Whitecliff Bay is the best exposure of the dominantly marine facies of the Bracklesham Formation, which dominates the eastern portion of the Hampshire Basin; these rocks yield a fossil fauna that enables important stratigraphic correlations with the continent to be made. The entire section is of particular interest in that it clearly illustrates both the strongly cyclical nature of sedimentation in the Hampshire Basin and also the general change from dominantly marine to brackish and freshwater environments during the Eocene. Within the Headon Hill Formation and the Bembridge Marls occur two important faunas of fossil mammals, from which 21 species have been identified. Only one other locality in Europe yields mammal faunas from rocks of this age and has a much less diverse fauna than Whitecliff. This is therefore a key site for the study of mammal faunas at horizons close to the Eocene Oligocene boundary. Fossil plant material may be collected from several levels throughout the Sequence, of late Palaeocene to early Oligocene age and a unique late Eocene lignite band occurs within the Bracklesham Group. An important series of charophyte algal floras occurs at several limits within the sequence and are of great value in correlation. This site has great potential for future research in palaeobotany. Ecologically the great diversity of intertidal habitats is reflected in an abundant and rich algal flora including many rare species. With the nearby St Helens Ledges Site of Special Scientific Interest the diversity of the algal community is thought to be unique in Britain, whilst the ledges provide the best examples of a rock shore fauna on the south coast east of Poole Harbour. The actively eroding cliffs support a variety of plant communities ranging from pioneers on freshly exposed cliff faces to woodland on the most mature cliff slumps. The most recent slumps are largely unvegetated except for scattered coltsfoot Tussilago farfara, bristly ox tongue Helminthotheca echioides and grass species of which creeping bent Agrostis stolonifera is most common. As the cliff slump matures grass species tend to predominate with red fescue Festuca rubra being most abundant, with in association a variety of plants of calcareous soils such as yellow wort Blackstonia perfoliata, rest-harrow Ononis repens, bird's foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus and wild carrot Daucus carota. The rare yellow bartsia Parentucellia viscosa was also rediscovered in this habitat in 1984 after last having been recorded on the Isle of Wight from this location in 1860. In wetter areas giant horsetail Equisetum telmateia, pendulous sedge Carex pendula and common reed Phragmites australis occur. The grassy cliff faces in turn give way to dense scrub of blackthorn, hawthorn and bramble with gorse Ulex europaeus being common on the sandy soils around Whitecliff Bay and willow in wetter areas. The most mature slumps have developed into woodland dominated by pedunculate oak Quercus robur, occasionally with suckering English elm Ulmus procera. The ground flora is generally poor but includes stinking iris Iris foetidissima, primose Primula vulgaris, hart's tongue fern Asplenium scolopendrium and male fern Dryopteris filix-mas. The presence of these successional vegetation types on these cliffs is of considerable scientific interest. The intertidal seashore consists of a series of rocky, Bembridge Limestone platforms or ledges with intervening lagoons of sand and shingle. The ledges have eroded into a complex of roughly rectangular crevices characteristic of limestone pavements. The ledges on the upper shore are dominated by scattered bladder wrack Fucus vesiculosus. This gives way in the middle and lower shore to extensive mats of sea wrack Fucus serratus, punctuated by pools in the wider rock crevices, in which rare algal species such as Padina pavonica and Gracilaria bursa-pastoris occur. The rocky shore fauna includes many species in the easterly limit of their range such as the limpet Patella aspera and the snake locks anemone Anemonia sulcata. The ten species of macro crustacean recorded also include lobster Homarus gammarus, squat lobster Galathea squamifera, hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus, edible crab Cancer pagurus and long clawed porcelain crab Porcellaria longicornis; many of these species being rare or uncommon on the south coast. The outer edge of the limestone ledges is fringed by a dense growth of oar weed Laminaria species. The sheltered lagoons support large beds of eelgrass Zostera marina and Zostera angustifolia. The Zostera marina exhibits a wide range of morphological variation dependent on position in the tidal range and on water depth and is also one of the largest beds of this species on the south coast. The lagoons also support dense and probably competing, growths of Japanese seaweed Sargassum muticum, first recorded in Britain from this site in the early 1970s. Status, Site of Special Scientific Interest SSSI notified under Section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
serrated wrack Fucus serratus Not listed in GB list algae brown fucaceae
bladder wrack Fucus vesiculosus Not listed in GB list algae brown fucaceae
peacock's tail Padina pavonica Not listed in GB list algae brown dictyotaceae
japweed Sargassum muticum Not listed in GB list algae brown sargassaceae
shepherd's purse wart weed Gracilaria bursa-pastoris Not listed in GB list algae red gracilariaceae
snakelocks anemone Anemonia sulcata Not listed in GB list anemone actiniidae
edible crab Cancer pagurus Not listed in GB list crustacean cancridae
hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus Not listed in GB list crustacean paguridae
hart's-tongue fern Asplenium scolopendrium LC fern aspleniaceae
male fern Dryopteris filix-mas LC fern dryopteridaceae
creeping bent Agrostis stolonifera LC grass poaceae
red fescue Festuca rubra LC grass poaceae
common reed Phragmites australis LC grass poaceae
yellowwort Blackstonia perfoliata LC herb gentianaceae
wild carrot Daucus carota LC herb apiaceae
great horsetail Equisetum telmateia LC herb equisetaceae
bristly ox-tongue Helminthotheca echioides LC herb asteraceae
stinking iris Iris foetidissima LC herb iridaceae
birdsfoot trefoil Lotus corniculatus LC herb fabaceae
common rest-harrow Ononis repens VU herb fabaceae
yellow bartsia Parentucellia viscosa LC herb orobanchaceae
primrose Primula vulgaris LC herb primulaceae
colts-foot Tussilago farfara LC herb asteraceae
narrow leaved eelgrass Zostera angustifolia Not listed in GB list herb zosteraceae
eelgrass Zostera marina VU herb zosteraceae
pendulous sedge Carex pendula LC sedge cyperaceae
gorse Ulex europaeus LC shrub leguminosae
common oak Quercus robur LC tree fagaceae
English elm Ulmus procera LC tree ulmaceae

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
Oak lutestring
Cymatophorina diluta
Endangered Quercus robur
Duke of Burgundy
Hamearis lucina
Endangered Primula vulgaris
Wood white
Leptidea sinapis
Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Scarce vapourer
Orgyia recens
Endangered Quercus spp., Ulmus spp.
White-letter hairstreak
Satyrium w-album
Endangered Ulmus spp.
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 Quercus spp., Ulmus spp.
Broom moth
Ceramica pisi
Vulnerable Ulmus spp.
Mottled umber
Erannis defoliaria
Vulnerable Quercus spp., Ulmus spp.
Dingy skipper
Erynnis tages
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus
Grayling
Hipparchia semele
Vulnerable Festuca rubra
The lackey
Malacosoma neustria
Vulnerable Quercus spp., Ulmus spp.
Pale brindled
Phigalia pilosaria
Vulnerable Quercus spp.
Silver studded blue
Plebejus argus
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus, Ononis spp., Ulex spp.
Lead belle
Scotopteryx mucronata
Vulnerable Ulex europaeus
Early moth
Theria primaria
Vulnerable Quercus spp.
Pale eggar
Trichiura crataegi
Vulnerable Quercus spp.
Oak hook-tip
Watsonalla binaria
Vulnerable Quercus robur
Flounced chestnut
Agrochola helvola
Near Threatened Quercus spp., Ulmus spp.
Rest harrow
Aplasta ononaria
Near Threatened Ononis repens
White-mantled wainscot
Archanara neurica
Near Threatened Phragmites australis
Light crimson underwing
Catocala promissa
Near Threatened Quercus robur
Dark crimson underwing
Catocala sponsa
Near Threatened Quercus robur
Dusky-lemon sallow
Cirrhia gilvago
Near Threatened Ulmus procera
Small heath
Coenonympha pamphilus
Near Threatened Agrostis spp., Festuca spp.
Heart moth
Dicycla oo
Near Threatened Quercus robur
Large thorn
Ennomos autumnaria
Near Threatened Quercus spp., Ulmus spp.
September thorn
Ennomos erosaria
Near Threatened Quercus spp.
White-spotted pug
Eupithecia tripunctaria
Near Threatened Daucus carota
Double dart
Graphiphora augur
Near Threatened Quercus spp., Ulmus spp.
Wall
Lasiommata megera
Near Threatened Agrostis spp.
Rosy minor
Litoligia literosa
Near Threatened Iris foetidissima
Swallowtail papilio
Papilio machaon
Near Threatened Daucus carota
Clay fan-foot
Paracolax tristalis
Near Threatened Quercus spp.
Common fan-foot
Pechipogo strigilata
Near Threatened Quercus robur
Reed leopard
Phragmataecia castaneae
Near Threatened Phragmites australis
Frosted green
Polyploca ridens
Near Threatened Quercus robur
Fenn's wainscot
Protarchanara brevilinea
Near Threatened Phragmites australis

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

H7 — Hard cliff and cliff slope, Lowland dry heath

Calluna vulgaris-Scilla verna heath

Matches 6 species from the description above: Agrostis stolonifera, Daucus carota, Festuca rubra, Lotus corniculatus, Primula vulgaris, Ulex europaeus

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

MG1 — Brownfield, Hard cliff and cliff slope

Arrhenatherum elatius grassland

Matches 5 species from the description above: Agrostis stolonifera, Daucus carota, Festuca rubra, Lotus corniculatus, Primula vulgaris

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

W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub

Matches 5 species from the description above: Asplenium scolopendrium, Dryopteris filix-mas, Iris foetidissima, Quercus robur, Ulmus procera

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

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

Calluna vulgaris-Ulex gallii heath

Matches 4 species from the description above: Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra, Lotus corniculatus, Ulex europaeus

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

MC4 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Brassica oleracea 36-ledge community

Matches 4 species from the description above: Agrostis stolonifera, Daucus carota, Festuca rubra, Ononis repens

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

Matches 4 species from the description above: Agrostis stolonifera, Daucus carota, Festuca rubra, Lotus corniculatus

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 4 species from the description above: Agrostis stolonifera, Daucus carota, Festuca rubra, 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 4 species from the description above: Agrostis stolonifera, Daucus carota, 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

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

Festuca arundinacea grassland

Matches 4 species from the description above: Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra, Lotus corniculatus, Phragmites australis

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

W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub

Matches 4 species from the description above: Asplenium scolopendrium, Dryopteris filix-mas, Festuca rubra, Ulex europaeus

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

MC3 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Rhodiola rosea-Armeria maritima 36-ledge community

Matches 3 species from the description above: Agrostis stolonifera, 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

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

Holcus lanatus-Juncus effusus rush-pasture

Matches 3 species from the description above: Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra, Primula vulgaris

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

Matches 3 species from the description above: Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra, Lotus corniculatus

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

MC1 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Crithmum maritimum-Spergularia rupicola maritime rock-crevice community

Matches 2 species from the description above: Daucus carota, Festuca rubra

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

Matches 2 species from the description above: Agrostis stolonifera, 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

MC6 — Coastal vegetated shingle, Hard cliff and cliff slope

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

Matches 2 species from the description above: 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

MC7 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Stellaria media-Rumex acetosa sea-bird cliff community

Matches 2 species from the description above: Agrostis stolonifera, 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

SD1 — Coastal vegetated shingle, Sand dune

Rumex crispus-Glaucium flavum shingle community

Matches 2 species from the description above: Festuca rubra, Helminthotheca echioides

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

Matches 2 species from the description above: Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra

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

Matches 2 species from the description above: Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra

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

W20 — Montane scrub

Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub

Matches 1 species from the description above: 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