Buckland-in-the-Moor
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SX720732 | — | Favourable | 0.25 | 2009-02-15 |
Habitats
Description
Buckland in the Moor SSSI Description The site comprises several rows of mature trees, in an open locality at 240 metres altitude on the edge of the Dartmoor Plateau. The trees support an outstanding lichen flora, including several rare and uncommon species that are seldom found outside ancient woodland. Over 65 species of lichen have been recorded on the 180 year old ash Fraxinus excelsior and beech Fagus sylvatica growing alongside the roads within the site. The abundance of Lobaria pulmonaria is particularly exceptional, since this is a lichen that very seldom occurs in such an open situation, and also one that is nationally uncommon. This species, and also Peltigera Melanops horizontalis and the local Nephroma laevigata and Sticta sylvatica which occur here as well, are typically found only within areas that have been continuously wooded for many centuries. Their presence at Buckland-in-the-Moor is therefore indicative of the former extensive forest cover on Dartmoor, and also, and importantly so, shows that old forest communities can survive in open situations and that they can transfer from tree to nearby tree over the course of time. Buckland-in-the-Moor is also the only site on Dartmoor for the nationally rare Teloschistes flavicans.
Species mentioned
Show the 6 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
Latin name search with Google |
IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lichen species name | Melanops horizontalis | Not listed in GB list | fungus | botryosphaeriaceae |
| tree lungwort | Lobaria pulmonaria | LC | lichen | no common name |
| a stinky sticta | Sticta sylvatica | LC | lichen | no common name |
| powdered orange bush lichen | Teloschistes flavicans | VU | lichen | no common name |
| beech | Fagus sylvatica | LC | tree | fabiaceae |
| ash | Fraxinus excelsior | LC | tree | oleaceae |
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.
| Species | Status | Via host-plant |
|---|---|---|
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Fagus sylvatica |
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Fagus sylvatica |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Fraxinus excelsior |
| September thorn Ennomos erosaria |
Near Threatened | Fagus sylvatica |
| Dusky thorn Ennomos fuscantaria |
Near Threatened | Fraxinus excelsior |
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.