Dover to Kingsdown Cliffs
Also within
Kent County Kent Downs Scenic Area King Charles Way - Folkestone to Ramsgate National Trail
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TR331420 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 1.08 | 2012-09-17 |
| TR333423 | — | Favourable | 6.93 | 2012-09-17 |
| TR334423 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 7.63 | 2021-02-15 |
| TR336420 | — | Favourable | 2.75 | 2012-09-13 |
| TR336422 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 15.53 | 2012-07-19 |
| TR342425 | — | Favourable | 10.07 | 2021-11-05 |
| TR352428 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 9.85 | 2021-11-05 |
| TR354433 | — | Favourable | 3.0 | 2012-12-07 |
| TR359430 | — | Favourable | 55.25 | 2012-09-17 |
| TR362437 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 29.27 | 2012-07-19 |
| TR372456 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 2.26 | 2021-11-05 |
| TR373450 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 4.59 | 2023-02-20 |
| TR378458 | — | Favourable | 33.69 | 2012-12-07 |
| TR379463 | — | Favourable | 8.97 | 2023-02-20 |
| TR380475 | — | Favourable | 3.52 | 2012-09-17 |
| TR380477 | — | Favourable | 8.27 | 2012-12-07 |
| TR380482 | — | Favourable | 5.01 | 2012-09-17 |
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.
Geology & landscape
Rock Type: Chalk
Landscape processes: Coastal
Birds & fish recorded
Birds
| Species | Season |
|---|---|
| black redstart | Breeding |
| blackcap | Breeding |
| fulmar | Breeding |
| grasshopper warbler | Breeding |
| kittiwake | Breeding |
| redstart | Breeding |
| whitethroat | Breeding |
Description
Area, 299.9 ha. 741.1 ac. Description The coastline from Dover harbour to Kingsdown is of extreme importance geologically and physiographically and for its varied floral and faunal communities which include many rare species. Biology The vegetation of the cliff tops consists mainly of chalk grassland interspersed with areas of scrub. Much of the grassland is dominated by tor grass Brachypodium pinnatum or upright brome Bromus erectus, though there are numerous areas of species rich open grassland with a range of typical chalk turf grass and herb species. These include sheep's fescue Festuca ovina, salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba, wild thyme Thymus praecox and horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa. A number of nationally rare plants occur. These include early spider orchid Ophrys sphegodes and ox tongue broomrape Orobanche picridis which are both at the northern extreme of a continental distribution. Dense areas of scrub occur locally, e.g. at Fan Hole. The main constituent species are gorse Ulex europaeus, wild privet Ligustrum vulgare, hawthorn Crataegus monogyna and bramble Rubus fruticosus. There are a few scattered individuals of juniper Juniperus communis, this species now has only a few remaining native sites in Kent. On the sheerest chalk cliff faces, vegetation is largely confined to crevices and narrow ledges. In places where gullies have formed particularly around Langdon Bay, the vegetation is more extensive and consists of mixed communities of plants typical of both maritime and chalk grassland habitats. National rarities include wild cabbage Brassica oleracea, hoary stock Matthiola incana and Nottingham catchfly Silene nutans, while more locally rare species include wild madder Rubia peregrina. At the northern end of the site, at Kingsdown beach is a broad shingle plateau with a succession of plant communities influenced in their extent and composition by increasing shingle stability. Typical species include sea sandwort Honckenya peploides and the rare sea pea Lathyrus japonicus, while more secure shingle inland supports a sward of sheep's fescue and other grasses together with further colonies of the early spider orchid. Of particular note is a prostrate oak tree Quercus robur which instead of a trunk has branches radiating from its root base. The invertebrate fauna of the site is rich, including important communities of Lepidoptera moths and butterflies and Coleoptera beetles. Locally restricted species found here include the Adonis blue butterfly Polyommatus bellargus, the scarlet tiger moth Callimorpha dominula, a ground beetle Bradycellus distinctus and some rare weevils of the family Apionidae. There are numerous breeding sea birds along the cliffs including fulmar, rock pipits and lesser black backed gulls; kittiwake have been established since 1967, their expanding population now exceeds 1100 pairs, but are still found nowhere else in Kent. The South Foreland valley at St Margarets is a significant landfall for migrant birds in the spring and a gathering point for dispersal in the autumn. More importantly many migrants breed here including whitethroat, blackcap, grasshopper warbler and other rarer warblers. Old wartime fortification systems, of which there are several within the site, attract black redstart. Near Kingsdown is one of the two cliff nesting colonies of house martins in Kent. In addition the site includes important chalk foreshore habitats, particularly those at St Margarets Bay. These support the most species rich littoral chalk algal florain south east England. The wide wave abrasion platform at the foot of the cliffs provides a diverse range of rock formations and habitats colonised by rich and complex seaweed communities, the lower shore red algae being particularly luxuriant. Examples of algae characteristic of lower salinities are present where freshwater springs emerge on the shore and the cliff face supports well developed examples of the unusual algal communities characteristic of this habitat, exhibiting clear vertical zonation patterns. Geology Dover to Kingsdown is an internationally important stratigraphic reference site which provides extensive and near continuous cliff and shore exposures of the Cenomanian, Turonian and Coniacian Stages the Lower, Middle and Upper Chalk. The site is historically very important as many geological principles, such as biostratigraphic zonation were tested here during the early development of geology. Many parts of the succession are fossiliferous and, in particular the upper parts of the Turonian and lower parts of the Coniacian are rich in Micraster, which have contributed and still are contributing to our knowledge of evolution. This is also a key site for coastal geomorphology, providing an excellent example of structural controls on coastal cliff morphology. It also provides significant evidence for understanding contemporary form/process relationships in a cliff shore platform beach system. Historically, retreat of the cliffs has averaged 0.5 metres per year but, in contrast to Foreness on the Isle of Thanet, erosion takes place mainly as large slides affecting much of the cliff face. The present beach closely relates to contemporary erosion of the cliffs and a well developed shore platform extending to below low water mark. Geomorphologically, Dover to Kingsdown is an essential member of the network of chalk coastal sites in Britain.
Species mentioned
Show the 29 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| fulmar | Fulmarus glacialis | CR (Breeding) | bird-fulmar | procellariidae |
| kittiwake | Rissa tridactyla | EN (Breeding) | bird-gull | laridae |
| black redstart | Phoenicurus ochruros | NT (NonBreeding), EN (Breeding) | bird-robin | muscicapidae |
| redstart | Phoenicurus phoenicurus | LC (Breeding) | bird-robin | muscicapidae |
| grasshopper warbler | Locustella naevia | LC (Breeding) | bird-warbler | locustellidae |
| blackcap | Sylvia atricapilla | LC (Breeding) | bird-warbler | sylviidae |
| whitethroat | Sylvia communis | Not listed in GB list | bird-warbler | sylviidae |
| Adonis blue | Polyommatus bellargus | VU | butterfly | lycaenidae |
| tor grass | Brachypodium pinnatum | LC | grass | poaceae |
| upright brome | Bromus erectus | Not listed in GB list | grass | poaceae |
| sheep's fescue | Festuca ovina | LC | grass | poaceae |
| wild cabbage | Brassica oleracea | LC | herb | brassicaceae |
| horseshoe vetch | Hippocrepis comosa | VU | herb | fabaceae |
| sea sandwort | Honckenya peploides | LC | herb | carophyllaceae |
| sea pea | Lathyrus japonicus | LC | herb | fabaceae |
| hoary stock | Matthiola incana | Not listed in GB list | herb | brassicaceae |
| early spider orchid | Ophrys sphegodes | LC | herb | orchidaceae |
| oxtongue broomrape | Orobanche picridis | VU | herb | orobanchaceae |
| salad burnet | Poterium sanguisorba | VU | herb | rosaceae |
| madder | Rubia peregrina | LC | herb | rosaceae |
| bramble | Rubus fruticosus | LC | herb | rosaceae |
| Nottingham catchfly | Silene nutans | VU | herb | carophyllaceae |
| creeping thyme | Thymus praecox | Not listed in GB list | herb | lamiaceae |
| scarlet tiger | Callimorpha dominula | Not listed in GB list | moth | erebidae |
| hawthorn | Crataegus monogyna | LC | shrub | rosaceae |
| juniper | Juniperus communis | CR | shrub | cupressaceae |
| wild privet | Ligustrum vulgare | LC | shrub | oleaceae |
| gorse | Ulex europaeus | LC | shrub | leguminosae |
| common oak | Quercus robur | LC | tree | fagaceae |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Oak lutestring Cymatophorina diluta |
Endangered | Quercus robur |
| Figure of eight Diloba caeruleocephala |
Endangered | Crataegus spp. |
| The lappet Gastropacha quercifolia |
Endangered | Crataegus monogyna |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Crataegus spp., Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus |
| Mouse moth Amphipyra tragopoginis |
Vulnerable | Crataegus spp., Poterium sanguisorba |
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Crataegus spp., Quercus spp. |
| Broom moth Ceramica pisi |
Vulnerable | Rubus fruticosus |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus spp., Quercus spp. |
| Dingy skipper Erynnis tages |
Vulnerable | Hippocrepis comosa |
| Juniper pug Eupithecia pusillata |
Vulnerable | Juniperus communis, Juniperus spp. |
| Grayling Hipparchia semele |
Vulnerable | Festuca ovina |
| Bedstraw hawk-moth Hyles gallii |
Vulnerable | Rubia peregrina |
| The lackey Malacosoma neustria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp. |
| Silver studded blue Plebejus argus |
Vulnerable | Hippocrepis comosa, Ulex spp. |
| Grizzled skipper Pyrgus malvae |
Vulnerable | Poterium sanguisorba, Rubus fruticosus |
| Lead belle Scotopteryx mucronata |
Vulnerable | Ulex europaeus |
| Early moth Theria primaria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp. |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus |
| Oak hook-tip Watsonalla binaria |
Vulnerable | Quercus robur |
| Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp. |
| Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Grey chi Antitype chi |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Light crimson underwing Catocala promissa |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Dark crimson underwing Catocala sponsa |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus |
Near Threatened | Festuca spp. |
| Heart moth Dicycla oo |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Crataegus spp., Quercus spp. |
| September thorn Ennomos erosaria |
Near Threatened | Quercus spp. |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina |
| Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Double dart Graphiphora augur |
Near Threatened | Crataegus spp., Quercus spp. |
| Silver-spotted skipper Hesperia comma |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina |
| Rosy minor Litoligia literosa |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina |
| Clay fan-foot Paracolax tristalis |
Near Threatened | Quercus spp. |
| Common fan-foot Pechipogo strigilata |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Frosted green Polyploca ridens |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
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
W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub
Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub
Matches 7 species from the description above: Brachypodium pinnatum, Crataegus monogyna, Juniperus communis, Ligustrum vulgare, Poterium sanguisorba, Quercus robur, Rubia peregrina
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
MC5 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Armeria maritima-Cerastium diffusum ssp. diffusum maritime therophyte community
Matches 6 species from the description above: Brachypodium pinnatum, Brassica oleracea, Festuca ovina, Hippocrepis comosa, Poterium sanguisorba, Thymus praecox
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
H7 — Hard cliff and cliff slope, Lowland dry heath
Calluna vulgaris-Scilla verna heath
Matches 4 species from the description above: Festuca ovina, Juniperus communis, Thymus praecox, Ulex europaeus
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
H8 — Hard cliff and cliff slope, Lowland dry heath, Upland dry heath
Calluna vulgaris-Ulex gallii heath
Matches 4 species from the description above: Festuca ovina, Poterium sanguisorba, Thymus praecox, Ulex europaeus
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
MG1 — Brownfield, Hard cliff and cliff slope
Arrhenatherum elatius grassland
Matches 4 species from the description above: Festuca ovina, Poterium sanguisorba, Silene nutans, Thymus praecox
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
MC4 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Brassica oleracea 36-ledge community
Matches 3 species from the description above: Brachypodium pinnatum, Brassica oleracea, Silene nutans
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
MC8 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Festuca rubra-Armeria maritima maritime grassland
Matches 2 species from the description above: Brachypodium pinnatum, Brassica oleracea
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 2 species from the description above: Festuca ovina, Thymus praecox
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
SD1 — Coastal vegetated shingle, Sand dune
Rumex crispus-Glaucium flavum shingle community
Matches 2 species from the description above: Honckenya peploides, Lathyrus japonicus
Show 35 indicator speciesSolanum 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
W20 — Montane scrub
Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub
Matches 2 species from the description above: Festuca ovina, Thymus praecox
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
MG11 — Brownfield, Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Hard cliff and cliff slope
Festuca rubra-Agrostis stolonifera-Potentilla anserina grassland
Matches 1 species from the description above: Honckenya peploides
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
SD2 — Coastal vegetated shingle, Sand dune
Honkenya peploides-Cakile maritima strandline community
Matches 1 species from the description above: Honckenya peploides
Show 30 indicator speciesSalsola 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 1 species from the description above: Honckenya peploides
Show 28 indicator speciesBolboschoenus 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
W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub
Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub
Matches 1 species from the description above: Ulex europaeus
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
MC1 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Crithmum maritimum-Spergularia rupicola maritime rock-crevice community
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
MC2 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Armeria maritima-Ligusticum scoticum maritime rock-crevice community
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
MC3 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Rhodiola rosea-Armeria maritima 36-ledge community
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
MC6 — Coastal vegetated shingle, Hard cliff and cliff slope
Atriplex prostrata-Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima sea-bird cliff community
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
MC7 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Stellaria media-Rumex acetosa sea-bird cliff community
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
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
MG12 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Hard cliff and cliff slope
Festuca arundinacea grassland
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