Robin Hood's Bay: Maw Wyke to Beast Cliff

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 54.4588, -0.5548

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (25) Unfavourable No Change (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
NZ937080 Favourable 1.32 2010-01-12
NZ941082 Favourable 0.87 2010-01-12
NZ947077 Favourable 8.75 2010-01-12
NZ948078 Favourable 22.22 2010-12-09
NZ953053 Unfavourable No Change 4.31 2010-01-13
NZ954041 Favourable 7.46 2010-01-12
NZ954050 Favourable 27.01 2010-12-09
NZ954071 Favourable 27.06 2010-12-09
NZ956041 Favourable 23.72 2010-12-09
NZ958059 Favourable 10.68 2010-01-12
NZ962030 Favourable 9.61 2010-01-12
NZ963031 Favourable 21.03 2010-12-09
NZ969025 Favourable 5.04 2010-01-12
NZ970026 Favourable 14.82 2010-12-09
NZ972023 Favourable 2.36 2010-01-12
NZ973024 Favourable 3.41 2010-12-09
NZ975022 Favourable 4.98 2010-01-12
NZ975023 Favourable 5.52 2010-12-09
NZ980026 Favourable 17.69 2010-12-09
NZ981022 Favourable 17.69 2010-12-09
NZ983018 Favourable 34.12 2010-01-12
NZ992008 Favourable 49.31 2010-01-13
NZ994011 Favourable 8.91 2010-12-09
TA000995 Favourable 40.32 2010-12-09
TA001995 Favourable 8.17 2010-01-13
TA002996 Favourable 8.92 2010-12-09

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: Rock Outcrop · Geological Period: Jurassic · Rock Type: Ironstone, Mudstone, Sandstone, Shale, Siltstone

Landscape processes: Coastal, Glacial, Periglacial

Description

Description This site consists of part of the North Yorkshire coast in the vicinity of Robin Hood's Bay, north of Scarborough, from Maw Wyke and Hawsker Bottoms at the northern end to Beast Cliff at the southern end. The site is of importance for five distinct areas of geological interest, the coastal/woodland vegetation at Beast Cliff and the zonation of marine biotopes on the rocky foreshore. Geology The coastal cliffs and foreshore exposures around Robin Hood's Bay and Ravenscar constitute one of Britain's classic geological localities and have been studied from at least the 1820s. The site includes an unrivalled and continuously exposed Lower Jurassic sequence dominated by mudrocks of the Lias Group and capped by sandstones of the Ravenscar Group of early Middle Jurassic age. Throughout the succession there is excellent bio and chronostratigraphic control based on a very detailed sequence of ammonite faunas. Many of these faunas form the basis for the formal definitions of Biohorizons, Subzone and Zones and the site is therefore of very great importance to European Jurassic chronostratigraphy. The area has also yielded the type specimens of the index species of many of these units. The Lias Group, represented in ascending order by the Redcar Mudstone, Staithes, Cleveland Ironstone and Whitby Mudstone Formations contains stratotypes for several zones and horizons. This includes a very complete Sinemurian Pliensbachian boundary sequence within the Redcar Mudstone Formation, which may become a Global Stratotype Section and Point. Other highlights include a well preserved succession of biostratigraphical horizons within the Cleveland Ironstone and the most complete Toarcian succession in Britain represented by the Whitby Mudstone Formation. This Lower Jurassic succession is also of great interest for its sedimentology and its fossil invertebrate faunas which both provide insights into the environmental conditions of the time. Occasional marine reptiles ichthyosaurs and crocodiles have been recovered from various levels. The base of the Middle Jurassic sequence is well exposed around Blea Wyke and includes a relatively thick Dogger Formation with a famous and fossiliferous 'Nerinea Bed' of Aalenian Opalinum to Murchisonae Zone age. The succeeding dominantly, non marine Ravenscar Group is well developed including its component Saltwick, Eller Beck, Cloughton and Scarborough Formations Aalenian to Lower Bajocian. In the Beast Cliff area a number of plant bearing horizons occur within the Saltwick and Cloughton Formations. Many species occur which are seldom found at Yorkshire's other famous Jurassic plant localities. Many species of filicales, bennettitales, cycads and conifers are recorded from Beast Cliff; a prolific palaeobotanical locality with notable rarities. Maritime The shores of Robin Hood's Bay between May Wyke and Beast Cliff are predominantly rocky and moderately exposed to wave action. The varied geology along this coast plays a major role in creating an exceptionally wide range of habitats and associated communities for this part of the North Sea coast. Extensive examples of two rocky shore habitats are found here, moderately exposed flat bedrock and moderately exposed large and massive boulder fields. Slightly more exposed areas of the shore, such as at Whitehouse Hole are characterised by biotypes more typical of wave exposed shores. Areas of gently dipping mudstones, shales and ironstones at the northern end of the site are characterised by complete zonation of rocky shore biotopes from the lichen dominated Verrucaria maura biotope at the top of the shores, through fucoid biotopes characteristic of moderately exposed shores Pelvetia canaliculata, Fucus spiralis, Fucus vesiculosus, F. serratusinto the kelp zone Laminaria digitata the latter which straddles the low water mark. In the Far Jetticks area, good quality, extensive areas of two nationally scarce red algal turf biotopes Osmundea pinnatifida and Corallina officinalis replace the more common fucoid dominated biotopes and occupy much of the intertidal zone from the base of the cliff to the kelp zone. Here, the finely roughened bedding planes of mudstones belonging to the Cleveland Ironstone Formation provide surfaces for the firm attachment of holdfasts. The low shore kelp zone Laminaria digitata straddles the low water mark and forms the transition to highly rated subtidal kelp forest biotopes. Robin Hood's Bay contrasts well with the Maw Wyke area as it is slightly more sheltered but still falls within the moderately exposed selection unit. This area is particularly noteworthy for its rich and varied low shore communities, particularly the Fucus serratus and Laminaria digitata biotopes on bedrock and boulders. The presence of the relatively stable medium and large boulders provides additional habitats beneath and between the boulders for a wide variety of animal groups including sponges, anemones, bryozoans, crabs and shore fishes. Along the southern section of the site, the shore between Blea Wyke and Beast Cliff is predominantly composed of large and massive boulders resting on a mudstone platform. The biology of this area again demonstrates the underlying effects of active geological processes. The upper shore lacks typical fucoids and is instead made up of ephemeral communities of green and red algae Enteromorpha sp. and Porphyra sp. This composition reflects the unstable nature of the friable upper shore talus beneath the cliffs. In the mid and low shore areas the boulders are characterised by typical biotopes of fucoids, kelps and red algal turfs. Areas of the shore lying below recent stumps, are dominated by dense turfs of the nationally uncommon sand binder red algae Rhodothamniella floridula biotope which tolerates sediment scouring by binding sediment to form a cushion like turf. Hawsker Bottoms is also a key palaeobotanical and stratigraphical site and has the best inland exposure of the Scarborough Formation, here near the northern limit of its outcrop. It has provided one of the most varied fossil faunas from this portion of the Middle Jurassic, including the only corals so far recorded from this formation. The nearby Maw Wyke is an outstanding locality of national importance for the study of fossil ferns. A lens, within the Saltwick Formation, yielded particularly fine examples of the genera Coniopteris, Cladophlebis and Phlebopteris including fertile axes essential to systematic studies. Robin Hood's Bay is an important site for coastal geomorphology for a series of well developed shore platforms cut mainly across the outcrops of Lower Lias shales siltstone rhythms. The surface morphology of the platforms reflects the arrangement of bedding withina broadly anticlinal structure which has been planed off. The cliffs near North Check and South Check include Middle Lias sandstones, relatively more resistant than the Lower Lias shales, whilst those within the Bay predominantly occur in Lias shale till and are locally affected by considerable mass movements. Robin Hood's Bay provides important contrasts with other platform sites, firstly through its location within the area affected by North Sea wave climates and secondly in having been subject to glacial and post glacial processes prior to sea level reaching its present condition. The greater variety of interest, stratigraphical, palaeontological and geomorphological, make the Hawsker Robin Hood's Bay Ravenscar Beast Cliff area one of the most famous and important for British Geology. Biology Much of Beast Cliff is covered by scrub and woodland. Ash Fraxinus excelsior dominates the canopy with birch Betula spp., hazel Corylus avellana and field maple Acer campestre, although in more acidic situations oak Quercus aff. robur, rowan Sorbus aucuparia and holly Ilex aquifolium are frequent. great wood rush Luzula sylvatica is abundant on the steep flushed slopes, whilst dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis and opposite leaved golden saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium are plentiful in the ground flora of the terrace. Sandstone boulders support a luxuriant growth of mosses and ferns, including hart's tongue Asplenium scolopendrium and soft shield fern Polystichum setiferum. Pools on the cliff shelf have been colonised by common club rush Schoenoplectus lacustris and are fringed by alder Alnus glutinosa, willow Salix spp. and greater tussock sedge Carex paniculata. North of Beast Cliff the vegetation is more open and reflects alternating strata of rich and poor base status. Typical of more calcareous clays are quaking grass Briza media, glaucous sedge Carex flacca, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria and grass of Parnassus Parnassia palustris, whereas heather Calluna vulgaris, bell heather Erica cinerea, crowberry Empetrum nigrum, golden rod Solidago virgaurea and wavy hair grass Deschampsia flexuosa characterise more acidic sandstone outcrops. Bracken Pteridium aquilinum and various shrub species such as gorse Ulex europaeus, broom Cytisus scoparius, goat willow Salix caprea and rowan Sorbus aucuparia are present in varying densities over much of the site.

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
spiraled wrack Fucus spiralis Not listed in GB list algae brown fucaceae
bladder wrack Fucus vesiculosus Not listed in GB list algae brown fucaceae
oar weed Laminaria digitata Not listed in GB list algae brown laminariaceae
channel wrack Pelvetia canaliculata Not listed in GB list algae brown fucaceae
common coral weed Corallina officinalis Not listed in GB list algae red corallinaceae
pepper dulse Osmundea pinnatifida Not listed in GB list algae red rhodomelaceae
sand binder Rhodothamniella floridula Not listed in GB list algae red rhodymeniaceae
hart's-tongue fern Asplenium scolopendrium LC fern aspleniaceae
soft shield-fern Polystichum setiferum LC fern dryopteridaceae
bracken Pteridium aquilinum LC fern dennstaedtiaceae
quaking grass Briza media VU grass poaceae
wavy hair grass Deschampsia flexuosa Not listed in GB list grass poaceae
lady's fingers (kidney vetch) Anthyllis vulneraria NT herb fabaceae
opposite-leaved golden- saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium LC herb saxifragaceae
dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis LC herb euphorbiaceae
grass of Parnassus Parnassia palustris VU herb celastraceae
goldenrod Solidago virgaurea VU herb asteraceae
sea tar Verrucaria maura Not listed in GB list lichen no common name
great wood rush Luzula sylvatica LC rush juncaceae
glaucus sedge Carex flacca LC sedge cyperaceae
greater tussock sedge Carex paniculata LC sedge cyperaceae
common club rush Schoenoplectus lacustris LC sedge cyperaceae
broom Cytisus scoparius LC shrub fabaceae
gorse Ulex europaeus LC shrub leguminosae
bell heather or ling Calluna vulgaris NT shrub dwarf ericaceae
crowberry Empetrum nigrum LC shrub dwarf empetraceae
bell heather Erica cinerea NT shrub dwarf ericaceae
field maple Acer campestre LC tree aceraceae
alder Alnus glutinosa LC tree salicaceae
hazel Corylus avellana LC tree corylaceae
ash Fraxinus excelsior LC tree oleaceae
holly Ilex aquifolium LC tree aquifoliaceae
rowan Sorbus aucuparia LC tree rosaceae
goat willow Salix caprea LC tree shrub salicaceae

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
Maple pug
Eupithecia inturbata
Endangered Acer campestre
The lappet
Gastropacha quercifolia
Endangered Salix spp.
Shoulder-striped clover
Heliothis maritima
Endangered Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea
Scarce vapourer
Orgyia recens
Endangered Alnus glutinosa, Corylus avellana, Salix spp.
Least minor
Photedes captiuncula
Endangered Carex flacca
Mouse moth
Amphipyra tragopoginis
Vulnerable Salix caprea
The sprawler
Asteroscopus sphinx
Vulnerable Corylus avellana, Fraxinus excelsior, Salix spp.
Broom moth
Ceramica pisi
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris, Cytisus scoparius, Pteridium aquilinum
Scarce chocolate-tip
Clostera anachoreta
Vulnerable Salix spp.
Mottled umber
Erannis defoliaria
Vulnerable Acer campestre, Corylus avellana, Salix spp., Sorbus aucuparia
Satyr pug
Eupithecia satyrata
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris, Salix spp.
True lover's knot
Lycophotia porphyrea
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea
The lackey
Malacosoma neustria
Vulnerable Corylus avellana, Salix spp.
Pale brindled
Phigalia pilosaria
Vulnerable Alnus glutinosa, Corylus avellana, Fraxinus excelsior, Salix caprea
Silver studded blue
Plebejus argus
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris, Cytisus scoparius, Erica cinerea, Ulex spp.
Lead belle
Scotopteryx mucronata
Vulnerable Cytisus scoparius, Ulex europaeus
Pale eggar
Trichiura crataegi
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris, Corylus avellana, Erica cinerea, Salix spp.
Flounced chestnut
Agrochola helvola
Near Threatened Calluna vulgaris, Salix spp.
Beaded chestnut
Agrochola lychnidis
Near Threatened Salix spp.
Grey chi
Antitype chi
Near Threatened Salix caprea
Purple emperor
Apatura iris
Near Threatened Salix caprea
Garden tiger
Arctia caja
Near Threatened Pteridium aquilinum, Sorbus aucuparia
Minor shoulder-knot
Brachylomia viminalis
Near Threatened Salix caprea
Broom-tip chesias
Chesias rufata
Near Threatened Cytisus scoparius
The sallow
Cirrhia icteritia
Near Threatened Salix spp.
Rosy marsh moth
Coenophila subrosea
Near Threatened Empetrum nigrum
Small blue
Cupido minimus
Near Threatened Anthyllis vulneraria
Dingy mocha
Cyclophora pendularia
Near Threatened Alnus glutinosa, Salix caprea
Grey scalloped
Dyscia fagaria
Near Threatened Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea
Kentish glory
Endromis versicolora
Near Threatened Alnus glutinosa
Large thorn
Ennomos autumnaria
Near Threatened Alnus glutinosa, Corylus avellana, Salix spp.
Dusky thorn
Ennomos fuscantaria
Near Threatened Fraxinus excelsior
Autumnal rustic
Eugnorisma glareosa
Near Threatened Calluna vulgaris, Cytisus scoparius, Erica cinerea
Grey pug
Eupithecia subfuscata
Near Threatened Salix spp., Solidago virgaurea
White-spotted pug
Eupithecia tripunctaria
Near Threatened Solidago virgaurea
Double dart
Graphiphora augur
Near Threatened Salix spp.
Weaver's wave
Idaea contiguaria
Near Threatened Calluna vulgaris, Empetrum nigrum
Rosy minor
Litoligia literosa
Near Threatened Carex flacca
Scotch burnet
Zygaena exulans
Near Threatened Empetrum nigrum

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

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

Calluna vulgaris-Ulex gallii heath

Matches 6 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Carex flacca, Deschampsia flexuosa, Erica cinerea, Pteridium aquilinum, 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

W20 — Montane scrub

Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub

Matches 6 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Carex flacca, Deschampsia flexuosa, Empetrum nigrum, Luzula sylvatica, Solidago virgaurea

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

W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub

Matches 6 species from the description above: Asplenium scolopendrium, Corylus avellana, Fraxinus excelsior, Ilex aquifolium, Mercurialis perennis, Pteridium aquilinum

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

W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub

Matches 6 species from the description above: Acer campestre, Asplenium scolopendrium, Corylus avellana, Mercurialis perennis, Pteridium aquilinum, 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

H7 — Hard cliff and cliff slope, Lowland dry heath

Calluna vulgaris-Scilla verna heath

Matches 5 species from the description above: Anthyllis vulneraria, Calluna vulgaris, Carex flacca, Erica cinerea, 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

MC9 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Festuca rubra-Holcus lanatus maritime grassland

Matches 4 species from the description above: Anthyllis vulneraria, Carex flacca, Deschampsia flexuosa, Solidago virgaurea

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

W25 — Bracken scrub

Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus underscrub

Matches 4 species from the description above: Fraxinus excelsior, Mercurialis perennis, Pteridium aquilinum, Ulex europaeus

Hedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sambucus nigra, Ulex europaeus, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Luzula multiflora, Mnium hornum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Arum maculatum, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Silene dioica, Stellaria holostea, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Glechoma hederacea, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Circaea lutetiana, Digitalis purpurea, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ficaria verna, Potentilla erecta, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Galium mollugo sens.lat., Galium saxatile, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas

MC5 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Armeria maritima-Cerastium diffusum ssp. diffusum maritime therophyte community

Matches 2 species from the description above: Anthyllis vulneraria, Carex flacca

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

MG1 — Brownfield, Hard cliff and cliff slope

Arrhenatherum elatius grassland

Matches 2 species from the description above: Briza media, Pteridium aquilinum

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

MC4 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Brassica oleracea 36-ledge community

Matches 1 species from the description above: Anthyllis vulneraria

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

MC8 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Festuca rubra-Armeria maritima maritime grassland

Matches 1 species from the description above: Anthyllis vulneraria

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

MC1 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Crithmum maritimum-Spergularia rupicola maritime rock-crevice community

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

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

MC3 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Rhodiola rosea-Armeria maritima 36-ledge community

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

MC6 — Coastal vegetated shingle, Hard cliff and cliff slope

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

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

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

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

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

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